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1977 OE Radio (Stereo) confusion

Old 11-07-2010, 11:36 PM
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smitsc05
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Default 1977 OE Radio (Stereo) confusion

So I have what I thought was the original radio for a 77 vette but I am questioning that because there are 3 connectors on the back yet diagrams and Ecklers, Wilcox, etc only show two: 1 pigtail with 3 wires for power AND 2 pigtails, one for right and one for left speakers.

My Radio has a THIRD connector, it's blue with 3 other wires:
1 is Yellow
2 is Yellow/Brown
3 is Dark Blue/ Light Blue (or maybe purple, had to tell)

See the pics:
http://gallery.me.com/ellajaynesmith#100394
Old 11-08-2010, 12:19 AM
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KapsSA
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From your pics that appears to be a 'correct' 77 radio. Even appears to have the black pushbuttons. 77 was the first year of the 'universal' GM radio. Before 77 the Corvette radio was specific for Corvettes.

The 3 connectors are correct.
The top 4 wire plug is power, ground, display light, and power antenna trigger(for GM cars so equipted)
Second connector is for front speakers.
Third connector is rear speakers(again, if so equipted)

Last edited by KapsSA; 11-08-2010 at 12:21 AM.
Old 11-08-2010, 11:49 AM
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smitsc05
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Originally Posted by KapsSA
From your pics that appears to be a 'correct' 77 radio. Even appears to have the black pushbuttons. 77 was the first year of the 'universal' GM radio. Before 77 the Corvette radio was specific for Corvettes.

The 3 connectors are correct.
The top 4 wire plug is power, ground, display light, and power antenna trigger(for GM cars so equipted)
Second connector is for front speakers.
Third connector is rear speakers(again, if so equipted)
Thanks KapsSA, I appreciate the help. I think my father had some Jerry-rigged speakers in the back now that I remember.

Now to rebuild the connectors... suppliers want $25 a piece for each pigtail... stupid expensive considering there are 3, also, I can't seem to find a rear speaker connector (the blue one) anywhere, but now that I know what I looking for...

Thanks again.
Old 11-08-2010, 01:13 PM
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Artsvette73
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Thats not the correct radio for 1977 The connectors are wrong. They didn't appear until 1978. Yes 77 chaned to a corprate radio but the connectors didn't change till 78. The buttons for 77 were black and changed to chrome in 78. So 77 had it's own unige radio
Old 11-08-2010, 01:30 PM
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KapsSA
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78 and 79 buttons were also black so that may be 78/79.
Try ebay for the pigtails. Usually find them for under $10.

Here's a set on ebay for an example....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-DE...Q5fAccessories
I do notice it says from 78-93. If the 77 harness was different this will probably work with the radio you found. Probably be pretty hard to find a specific 77 radio if it's a one year only thing.
I believe the radio you have does APPEAR 'correct' from the front.

Last edited by KapsSA; 11-08-2010 at 02:10 PM.
Old 11-08-2010, 02:22 PM
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KapsSA
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Here's an ACTUAL 77 radio for comparison.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-...Q5fAccessories
Old 11-08-2010, 09:35 PM
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May not help with your confusion, but happen to have a Delco stereo radio, out of a 77' Old's and look's identicle to your pic's w/chrome push button's. The rear wiring on your's are removable plug connector's. The one on ebay look's older and only mono showing a single output transistor on top. Later model's were internal IC amp's. Hope he get's his price, as only paid a few buck's for mine at a swap meet a few year's back.
Old 11-08-2010, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by KapsSA
Here's an ACTUAL 77 radio for comparison.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-...Q5fAccessories
That is the correct connector configuration for 77
Old 11-10-2010, 12:03 AM
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smitsc05
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Well, talked to the old man and he said that the 77 vette was the only chevy he had other than a 74 Open Road Van and it HAS to be the one he pulled from the car in the early 80's. So possibly the dealer swapped it out before delivery? He ordered the car and wasn't sure if he ordered it with stereo or not so maybe the GM made a mistake that the dealer tried to cover... who knows. But it IS a mystery.
Old 04-28-2018, 01:48 PM
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Hello,

I myself am also going back to insatalling the original stock radio 77 vette, any advice on what to remove little as possible for the reinstallation?


Thanks for the help.

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