[biotechee]

So, I will eventually be replacing the Porsche CR-1 cassette radio in my cab with something new (or newer). I don't want to hack up the wiring so I found that Crutchfield offers a wiring harness adapter (pn 120701822) for $15.00. It includes the main harness plug as well as four (4) DIN speaker connectors.

Does anyone have experience with this or is there other sources to consider?

As for the replacement stereo, two are at the top of my list (well, there are only two on the list so....):

1) Kenwood Excelon KDC-X993
2) Becker Grand Prix

The Kenwood is new (just released) and looks a little blingy, but has 64 color choices so a near-match should be possible. It has integrated Bluetooth and iPod control/charging capability. Overall, I like the looks and the performance should be more than suitable for my needs.

The Becker will definitely look more at home in the 968, but it is more expensive and only available through Germany (or elsewhere outside the US).

The built-in BT on both units is a huge selling feature for me. I think the offering from Kenwood will be functionally better and certainly has more features.

So far, the new Kenwood is getting the nod by a pretty big margin. Anyone have any input either way?

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[Ryan]

I have used their adapters on several cars and they are great. There is no screwing-up the factory wiring with these things so it is easy to go back to stock when you sell the car.

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[PorscheDude]

That Becker is really nice. A perfect match for the interior.
I would love to have it, but it does not allow for easy integration of satellite radio.

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[Johannvb]

I have the Becker Indianapolis Pro and I am very happy with it. It has navigation and doesn't look blingy like most radios on the market today.

I have added a photo...it's a little grainy, but you'll get the idea

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[josephsc]

The Crutchfield wiring harness adapter is great -- and the next person who goes back there will thank you for not hacking apart the wires back there. It's the right way of installing radios, in my opinion.

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[EEZATOY]

Another option is SW Stereo - when I did mine I call them and they made me a (custom?) harness to match the car IIRC it was around $20. I now have a Alpine 9887 and really like it...

Sam

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[fred@appliedbiomechanics.com]

Yes, SW Stereo (www.swstereo.com)is a great source for European stereo equipment including Porsche. They have a lot of Becker stuff.

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[biotechee]

UPDATE-

The adapter from Crutchfield is not the one to use. I finally got around to installing my new stereo so last night I started wiring up the adapter to the radio harness. Then went out to the car and removed the OEM CR1. Crap! Connectors are different. I figured since I had the standard stereo and speaker set-up, the 944 adapter harness from Crutchfield would work. Should have looked first. Oh well. Why would Porsche change the method? Doesn't make sense.

I know that SW Stereo can make the necessary adapters, but I will simply cut off the connectors on the CR1 and solder them to the new radio harness (don't worry, I'll leave enough room to reattach the connectors to the CR1 if I or the next owner want to reinstall it.

I learned this @ 10:45pm last night- was so tempted keep going and finish, but I was tired. Will finish it up tonight. Should have iPod capability and CD playing capability by Friday morning!

I ended up going with a Clarion CZ209. Cheap head unit with USB in the rear and iPod control. I really wanted the Becker, but my budget dictated otherwise. The CZ209 isn't too blingy either. Not totally stealth for sure, but understated enough for me.

Also need to ground out the security wire and tap into the interior dimmer for the new stereo. Hadn't factored those in last night either...!

Always exciting!

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[steve g]

Jim

exactly which model harness did you end up using to adapt to the existing factory connectors ?

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[biotechee]

Steve-

I ended up cutting off the existing connectors on the factory CR1 and soldering them to the new radio's harness. Perfect fit. And I left enough wire on the factory connectors and the original CR1 harness to reattach the connectors to it should I want to go back to stock (which I doubt I would).

There is a guy/company that supposedly will make an adapter harness for you, but I didn't persue as I didn't want to wait any longer and I don't really care about keeping the CR1. The company is SWStereo. I had email back and forth with the gentleman and all he needed to know was what type of connectors (what they looked like) my particular 968 had.... Search the web and you'll find them.

I have never purchased anything from them and have no affiliation with them, just passing along info...

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[tamathumper]

Just to confirm (I know this is an old thread, but we all search through the old projects for conventional wisdom) - Crutchfield as of this date doesn't even know about the 968, and only lists a 928 GTS for Porsche models in our year range. There (still) is no custom harness, and I also ended up re-purposing the wiring from the back of my CR-1.

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[bva]

my harness adapter looks like the one crutchfield lists for a 1994 911.

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[tamathumper]

Yup, that's definitely not it. The one for the 968 is a six-position plug, all in a row, with two of them on one end being larger than the rest, then an empty hole, then three smaller ones.

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