I have an 03 track edition with nav and no bose.
I HAAATE how terrible the stock system sounds.
I rode in an 04 touring with the bose and I love it!
I dont need crazy bass, just want SOME base and a decent sound.

my question is, what will I need to do to get the bose system to work in the non bose car?

can I just buy all the componants? (sub, amp, HU,) and make it work?

anyone that has experience with this, please chirp up, cause I can get these parts relatively cheap!

thanks in advance.

 

why you want a stock bose that every bose owners want to get rid of it?

 

Just buy aftermarket speakers, they'll sound better than the Bose system and will be much easier to install.

 

Yes you need almost everything. You can keep the front speakers. You need the woofer.

 

I have an '03 Enthusiast with the non-Bose stereo and yes, it does suck! But, from my understanding, so does the factory Bose system. You'd probably be better off getting a decent aftermarket setup.

 

so its confirmed then? it does bolt up?
so ill need
the head unit
sub
amp?

I dont want to go aftermarket, cause I dont really want to spend money on it.
I can get the bose stuff dirt cheap.
need a lil more kick. the stock non bose is HORRIBLE. the bose stuff is 10x better than what ive got.. for 200-300 bucks.. why not?

 

Aftermarket systems aren't that much more...
And it would definitely worth the little extra

 

Actually, I doubt that it would be possible to install the BOSE in a non-BOSE car. The reason: the wiring harnesses are (likely) different between the two. Why put the extra wire in a car that won't use it? That just adds cost.

I'd look for a good third-party system. While the speakers in the car aren't phenomenal, they also have to overcome the wind/road noise anyway.

Besides, the best sound system is sitting under the hood!

 

I dont want to add a sub box.
and I dont really like the looks of aftermarket stuff, kinda hurts resale value.
will be selling the car shortly (spring)

 

Oh! Well that makes all the sense in the world! Why didn't you just tell us you were planning on spending money on a car you're gonna sell "shortly". No self-respecting used car purchaser would ever want to spend any money on a car with a DECENT AFTERMARKET STEREO...

Dude! Think! If you're gonna get rid of the car, save the money and put it towards whatever you're gonna buy next. Why? 2 reasons, 1. You're not getting any love in this thread. Pretty much everyone has said "Why would you do that?" Someone(PDX_Racer)already offered a valid opinion as to why it probably won't work! 2. Whoever buys your car will, most likely, have a decent aftermarket stereo installed because, if they spend anytime searching this forum, they will find out that most everyone agrees that the factory stereo, non-Bose & Bose, both kinda suck...Think about it.

 

The Bose is NOT worth spending an extra $200-300 for as an "upgrade". Take that same money and buy front components and an amp and you will be happier with the sound (if the install was done correctly).

Can you put the Bose setup in the non-Bose equipped car? Sure you could. Anything can be done if you want it bad enough.

IMHO, ride out the Clarion system in the Z, then put a system in your next car.

 

The Bose sucks, just go aftermarket. Trust us. If u really are selling the car shortly, I doubt the OEM equipment u have will bring down the car's value. And, as u have already heard, no one wants the Bose--so I would not even consider it an upgrade.

 

the factory bose is not even worth $200 IMHO

if you can't afford to properly change things, wait till you can. A stereo is something worth doing right. It can easily be done on a budget too. You're going to end up spending ALOT of time and money on something that is utterly worthless

 

I'm in the same boat as the OP however, I don't want the Bose headunit for better sound quality. I need one:
1) because my factory Non-Bose is heavily scratched and peeling
2) for the 6 disc changer
3) to keep it stock (living in L.A., I've had and seen so many jackings)

Has anyone successfully interchanged the Bose and Non-Bose? I did a search and I've never seen a confirmed swap. I'm talking about a straight swap WITHOUT adding the sub and amps. Will it sound the same as the non-bose or will it actually be worse? I totally understand the other responses and advice of buying an aftermarket but in my case, a $100 for a replacement(not an upgrade) seems like the way to go as long as that's all i'm spending.

 

Because it's not worth the money/time/effort to do. Once you start looking into all that is needed, you will realize this.

This is not possible, the Bose is a system, not individual components. One will not work without the other.

 

Good to know. Most likely end up looking for a Non-Bose faceplate instead.