I started my odyssey when my factory radio died and Volvo wanted $200 for just the radio itself, not including install! I figured I could do better for cheaper by myself with a radio from a regular store. How hard could it be???

hehe, boy was I in for a shock when I found out it wasn't all standardized and plug-n-play...

I had a very difficult time locating one complete source of information to upgrade the audio system on my 1995 940 sedan. I got conflicting and plain wrong information from many sources. So I'm passing down the information that I gathered from here and my own experience. BTW, my factory radio is the CR-915; I have dash, front door, and rear deck speakers. I'm only comfortable with using a drill, so the biggest power tool you'll need is a drill.

Trim Installation Kit: Damn, forgot the model number. It's a Metra kit and it's damn ugly. It's downward facing. Let me know if there are any aftermarket DIN kits that actually look factory.


Receiver: Standard DIN with the Metra Kit. I got the AIWA CDC-MP32, CD/MP3 player.


Wiring Harness: Metra 70-9220 or Scosche VO04 (plug and play)
Don't let Crutchfield or Scosche or anyone else try to convince you that you need the VO01 and that you have an external amplifier (assuming you have the CR-915). They don't know what they're talking about. The harness has two plugs, one 10-pin the other 14-pin. You can go to your Volvo dealer for the wiring schematic, or simply plug and play the two harnesses above.


Dash Speakers: I didn't replace these in mine, so I can't give you any first hand info about the speakers or installation. I've read that it's a 4" speaker, but I can't confirm.


Front Door Speakers: 5.25"; pocket 4" deep; top mount height (grill clearance) 7/8"
To remove the grills, open the door and slide the grill toward the front of the car; do not pull or pry straight up.

The factory speakers look like 6.5" speakers with a slightly oblong rim so that it will fit inside the factory grill. An aftermarket 6.5" speaker looks like it should fit, but because the rim of aftermarket speakers are perfectly circular, the rim bumps into the top edge of the door panel and you won't be able to install it. So unfortunately, you're stuck with the smaller 5.25" speaker, unless you're willing to do some cutting.

The best way to remove the old speakers is to drill out the rivet with a drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet head. It may not simply drop while you drill. Just drill down a few millimeters and then take a small screwdriver and pry the edge of the rivet. It'll start peeling like an apple peel.

The pocket is made from foam, the center empty. The window is ~4" inside the pocket, so probably all speakers will fit comfortably in the pocket without hitting the window. The concern would be the grill clearance (if you're going to use the factory grills. Anything that protrudes 7/8" or more will not clear the grill.


Rear Deck Speakers: 6"x9"
Any 6x9 will fit because the deck is essentially bottomless. Personally, I installed the GTO-925. However, you will have to drill new holes in the metal after you take apart the whole dash. For installation instructions, Tom Irwin has a great post here: http://www.brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/1999SEP/20048514.shtml They are very complete and accurate word for word. I didn't even know the rear middle seat had an extendable headrest until I read the instructions!


I don't know if these spec's work for 940's pre-1995.


BTW, I'm debating between either the Pioneer TS-A1365 (3-way) or JBL GTO-525 (2-way) for my front speakers (rear deck are JBL GTO-925 2-way). I can get both at nearly the same price. I'm inclined to go with the JBL because my rear speakers are the same series. Which do you think? Would paying more for say Infinity Kappa 52.5i or Infinity Reference be significantly better?