Stereo questions going back to stock

[TAKS86]

For reference, I have a 1998 GTS.
So, I am putting my car back to stock sound wise. I bought it with an aftermarket amp, cut rear amp harness, and an aftermarket CD player in dash. I am not one to use the radio much, especially in a Viper, and would value the 'factory' look.
So far, I have replaced the rear amp with a factory one, replaced the original plugs, repaired the harness and found a stock amp bracket. That finishes the rear up, but now I have a problem. Obviously, new head units don't have the right port for the 90s amp wire.
I have a few questions:
One- are RT10 and GTS head units the same as long as I go with a Gen 2 unit?
Two- if they aren't, will an RT10 one still work with the GTS amp?
Three- Did all GTS head units have the CD, or were some still cassette, or just radio alone?

Did a bunch of Googling and looking around on here, and could find tons of info on upgrading, but no one is stupid like me and wants to go back. That being said, anyone want to sell me your factory Gen 2 stereo? ^_^

Appreciate you guys and any insight!

~Mike

[Crimson135]

I'm not of any help. But I thought the Gen 2 RT/10 and GTS vupers used the same amp. I've read that there is a switch on the amp to change it between the 2 cars.

The factory stereo in my GTS sounds awful. I've been meaning to check and make sure the switch is on the proper setting.

[My98RT10]

For reference, I have a 1998 GTS.
So, I am putting my car back to stock sound wise. I bought it with an aftermarket amp, cut rear amp harness, and an aftermarket CD player in dash. I am not one to use the radio much, especially in a Viper, and would value the 'factory' look.
So far, I have replaced the rear amp with a factory one, replaced the original plugs, repaired the harness and found a stock amp bracket. That finishes the rear up, but now I have a problem. Obviously, new head units don't have the right port for the 90s amp wire.
I have a few questions:
One- are RT10 and GTS head units the same as long as I go with a Gen 2 unit?
Two- if they aren't, will an RT10 one still work with the GTS amp?
Three- Did all GTS head units have the CD, or were some still cassette, or just radio alone?

Did a bunch of Googling and looking around on here, and could find tons of info on upgrading, but no one is stupid like me and wants to go back. That being said, anyone want to sell me your factory Gen 2 stereo? ^_^

Appreciate you guys and any insight!

~Mike

One- yes
Two - obsolete
Three - not absolutely sure when they switched from Cassette to CD but I am 100% sure that 1998 MY came with CD

Hope this helps...

[TAKS86]

^Yep! Thanks!
Crimson, I'm not sure about the amp thing, I never read that anywhere. I did see a switch on mine, but not sure what it does.
~Mike

[My98RT10]

The switch in the amp will bridge the two rear channels into one for the roadster as the Gen2 RT/10 only has one sub (well, it is not a sub, just a rear speaker running full range, as the 2 rears in the coupe).

[TAKS86]

So, I obtained a factory CD player head unit, and had some spare time this afternoon. Pulled the old stereo out, disconnected all the wiring, re-wired the factory plug, and plugged in the factory radio. It instantly popped the 20 amp fuse that also controls the interior lights, and smoke came out of the head unit. I disconnected it, figuring I had crossed a wire or something. Checked all the wiring, and everything matches up. Replaced the fuse, and tried again. Same result. Is it possible there is a short inside the head unit, or should I be looking for a short in the wiring harness? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
~Mike

[AM.MSCL]

So, I obtained a factory CD player head unit, and had some spare time this afternoon. Pulled the old stereo out, disconnected all the wiring, re-wired the factory plug, and plugged in the factory radio. It instantly popped the 20 amp fuse that also controls the interior lights, and smoke came out of the head unit. I disconnected it, figuring I had crossed a wire or something. Checked all the wiring, and everything matches up. Replaced the fuse, and tried again. Same result. Is it possible there is a short inside the head unit, or should I be looking for a short in the wiring harness? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
~Mike

If there was smoke that came out of the Head Unit than it is not going to work because something burned up (most likely capacitor or transistor chip) so it will need to be repaired itself or replaced.

[My98RT10]

Smoke coming out of the head unit is definitively a bad sign... do you have the OEM wiring plans for your Viper at hand to check? Maybe previous owner changed something when installing the aftermarket unit... OEM unit has definitively some particularities when it comes to connections...