Upgrade Radio Advice Please : 1994

Hello friends..... I just bought a low mileage 1994 LeSabre. It has the stock Delco Cassette Player.
I want to upgrade to a CD capable unit and need advice regarding whether to get a Delco CD unit from my local salvage yard or buy an aftermarket unit from a stereo specialty retailer like Cructhfield.

a) I see that GM radios had a change made in year 1994....& I think I have the old version but how can I tell for sure?

b) If I have the old version ( AKA <=1994), it looks like there are very few models of Delco radios that incorporate a CD player.... am I correct here?? If so, it makes an aftermarket unit more likely.

c) If I do buy an aftermarket unit from a retailer, do I need special tools? I read several threads on the LeSabre forum that describe the process well but I am not sure what tools to use. Can you help me here?

d) Lastly, I want to keep my purchase under $150. Do you have any advice regarding units that fit well and are attractive in our dash setting?

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Hello friends..... I just bought a low mileage 1994 LeSabre. It has the stock Delco Cassette Player.
I want to upgrade to a CD capable unit and need advice regarding whether to get a Delco CD unit from my local salvage yard or buy an aftermarket unit from a stereo specialty retailer like Cructhfield.

a) I see that GM radios had a change made in year 1994....& I think I have the old version but how can I tell for sure?

b) If I have the old version ( AKA <=1994), it looks like there are very few models of Delco radios that incorporate a CD player.... am I correct here?? If so, it makes an aftermarket unit more likely.

c) If I do buy an aftermarket unit from a retailer, do I need special tools? I read several threads on the LeSabre forum that describe the process well but I am not sure what tools to use. Can you help me here?

d) Lastly, I want to keep my purchase under $150. Do you have any advice regarding units that fit well and are attractive in our dash setting?

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.


crutchfield has all the info you need go online and check out and call the free telephone number..I just got a unit for a 98 monte carlo 160.oo this included ship,ant cable, usb.am/fm cd...can be upgraded to blue tooth and it is ipod ready...so those cd's are history...also the vehicle interface connector..with install instructions and mounting fixture..

I installled a cd player unit in my park avenue. I got it from Best Buy and installed it myself.But if its over $100 they will install it for free. I just wanted a project to do. It was a pioneer head unit with MP3/WMA/AAC capibillites and it also had a aux jack for ipods or whatever type of MP3 player you had. Cost about $139 at the time but doesn't cost as much now.

I also bought a wire harness adapter which didn't end up fitting, so I had to cut the OE harness connector off and use the wires form the wire harness adapter(for error purposes) and the harness that came with the radio. I just used a pair of wire cutters/strippers,electrical tape, and a Haynes manuel which was pretty accurate as far as the radio wire set-up. Not the best way but I don't know how to solder and it was a tight space. I just twisted the wires together and wrapped them in electrical tape.

I also bought the housing you put the cd player in and set it up were the cd player is behind the dashboard panel so no one can rip the head unit out. It fits in well.

But if youre faint of heart I would get someone to install it. When I bought mine I couldn't find a wire harness adapter that would fit. But I think I saw one at walmart some time ago that I think would have fitted.