In a message dated 98-04-20 21:57:40 EDT, cwyatt@GI.ALASKA.EDU writes:

> 1) Do those big speakers need special care in installing them, or can they
>  just tap into the existing wires in the rear of the van?

I'm sure they can just use the standard wires.  Way too many people spend way
too much money on big speaker wires, thinking that there somehow produce
better sound.  A friend did a blind test and "big wire" advocates could not
tell the difference between the big wires with gold connectors and standard
cheap hardware store "lamp cord".

>Can I run the
>  little factory speakers AND the big ones from the same wire?

Not at the same time.  Wired in parallel, they provide too little resistance
to the radio output and will damage it.  Wired in series, neither will get
enough power.  There are devices made to handle the arrangement you suggest,
but you can't just wire multiple speakers directly.

>  2) If I buy a new radio and try to install it myself (fire extinguisher at
>  the ready), will it come with a wiring harness that matches the one now
>  hanging out of my dashboard?

Unlikely.  Some makers "may" offer a VW wiring harness convertor though.

Good luck,
Jim Davis