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A surprise with the FM radio

Discussion in 'Subaru Sambar' started by Mark Semeraro, Apr 9, 2018.

  1. Mark Semeraro

    Mark Semeraro New Member

    I just got a Sambar 92. It has a FM radio ( digital) but it does not go to higher frequencies that we use. I googled it and sure enough, Japan uses lower frequesfreq so it is useless here.
    Am I right?
     
  2. Jersey Jake

    Jersey Jake New Member

    Just put a Bluetooth in my Sambar. Cost $35 off amazon with the harness.
     
  3. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    You are right, but: There are converters to let you convert the frequency range. They are on Amazon for less than $20. Search for, “Japanese radio converter”, turns up a couple of dozen.
     
  4. Jersey Jake

    Jersey Jake New Member

    Thanks for the info. My uncle is getting ready to buy 2 Sambars and that’s good info for me to pass along. He’s buying them for his farm and his old school mentality is “why fix what ain’t broke” lol. I wanted the Bluetooth for myself though
     
  5. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    just get an aftermarket single DIN, you dont even really need the adapter and can just hardwire it in. i put a Kenwood touch screen single DIN in my 97 in less than 30 minutes
     
  6. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    What are you guys using for speakers
     
  7. Mark Semeraro

    Mark Semeraro New Member

    My Sambar has 2 speakers, but only one is working. I am replacing the radio, maybe it is a issue with the existing radio or wiring. I can't tell to I get into it. I may need to replace that one speaker, time will tell.
     
  8. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    Are you sure that you actually have two speakers? My 1992 SDX has two speaker locations, but only the drivers side had an actual speaker installed from the factory. I had to run a wire over to the passenger side when I added my second speaker.

    I personally installed a set of Polk Audio DXi461 speakers. They required a little bit of trimming of the metal to properly fit into the dash, but they sound pretty good. I also installed a Kenwood KSC-SW11 subwoofer behind the drivers seat (next to the ECU) to give it a little better sound.
     
  9. Mark Semeraro

    Mark Semeraro New Member

    You are probably right, I did not look. Fir sure only the one works. What size are they? Where can I get another one? Reply appreciated.
     
  10. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    When you buy speakers, they come in pairs, so I would just replace the old one while you are in there.. The factory speaker(s) are paper and anything would be an upgrade from that anyways. The factory size is 4x6.
     
  11. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    Yeah ks4 have one speaker factory, the left side has mount holes but no speaker. Any truck with a 2 speakers was modified, I added another one to mine but had to make my own mount holes
     
  12. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    That is a good point.. KV would have 2 fronts, and Mark did not specify if he had a KS or KV, I just assumed from only one working.
     
  13. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    Bought a New Radio today and a pair of 4x6 pioneer. Now just need to find correct plug for harness
     
  14. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    What year is your Sambar? There are two different connector versions.

    Before 1993, it uses the Subaru 2-piece harness. Scosche SU02B or Metra 70-1780
    After 1993, it uses the Subaru 1-piece harness. Scosche SU03B or Metra 70-8900

    1993 itself uses either, and it depends on when it was built.. but it is simple to tell what you need, just take a look at how many connectors the stock radio has on it.
     
    Bobacuda likes this.
  15. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    Thanks ..Nice to Know. I guess I'll get out the tools in a few minutes and just have a go at it...not positive want year it is. The,seat belt tag has been removed. And I'm not to sure how to tell other than that. I'm a Newbie
     
  16. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    What is your VIN? I can look it up in the parts catalog and tell you when it was built.
     
  17. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    KS4C32N
    139260
     
  18. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    It was built in December of 1992, so it is a very early 1993 model year. Unfortunately, the parts catalog does not list what radio yours came with, so I cannot verify this... but I am fairly sure it is the 2 connector version.
     
  19. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    Ok...well it has a 2 piece harness. But it would be nice to know what year it is
     
  20. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    Thank you so much. ....it least I have a little clarity when ordering parts ect
     
  21. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    How were you able to tell ? And is it possible for me to get the parts book that you are referring too?
     
  22. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    There is a physical book that exists, but they are exceedingly hard to find. I personally have a copy of the Subaru FAST-II Electronic Parts Catalog program for the Japanese market. This is the same program that the dealers use to look up parts. The version for the Japanese market is completely in Japanese, not a lick of English to be found anywhere, but I know enough about this program to get by.

    This is what comes up for the initial vehicle information when I search for your VIN. It shows things like Applied Model (the KS4C32N), build date, color, model type, transmission type, engine type, etc. I have highlighted the build date in this screenshot.

    Screen Shot 2018-09-16 at 8.05.25 AM.png
     
  23. Maximal

    Maximal Active Member

    if you want you can hardwire it, i ended up doing that on my 91 because i ordered the plug converter for the single harness. i ended up doing the same thing on my 97 with the single harness, just basic ground/switched 12v/constant 12v/speakers
     
  24. Rcooper917

    Rcooper917 Member

    I ordered the double connector. Ill just wait for it to arrive.I hate running new wires or splicing unless absolutely necessary. But thanks for the reply
     

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