📋 Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, ModifiedLife earns from qualifying purchases. This helps keep our guides free — at no extra cost to you.
1982–1987 Chassis Codes: L-body | Model Years: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987
This page provides the complete 1982–1987 Dodge Charger radio wiring diagram for the L-body hatchback. Use this guide when installing an aftermarket head unit or troubleshooting your factory stereo in a 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, or 1987 Dodge Charger.
The 5th generation Charger revived the nameplate on Chrysler’s front-wheel-drive L-body platform, shared with the Dodge Omni 024 and Plymouth TC3/Turismo. Sold initially as the “Charger 2.2,” the lineup was joined in 1983 by the performance-oriented Shelby Charger, and later by the turbocharged Shelby Charger and Charger GLH/GLHS variants developed with Carroll Shelby. Factory audio on this generation was simple by design — a basic AM/FM (later AM/FM/cassette) head unit with no factory amplifier or steering wheel controls across any trim. Confirm your exact trim and radio delete/upgrade option before ordering aftermarket installation components, since some base Charger 2.2 models were ordered without a radio at all.
🔗 In This Guide
1982–1987 Dodge Charger Stereo Wiring Diagram
Use the wiring table below for your 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 Dodge Charger stereo wire color codes, speaker wiring, and harness pinout.
| Wire Function | Wire Color & Location |
|---|---|
| Battery Constant Power Wire (12V+) | Red |
| Accessory Switched Power Wire (12V+) | Red/White |
| Ground Wire | Chassis |
| Illumination Wire | N/A |
| Dimmer Wire | Orange/White |
| Antenna Trigger Wire | N/A |
| Amplifier Trigger Wire | N/A |
| Factory Amplifier Location | N/A |
| Rear View Camera Video Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear View Camera Video Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Center Speaker Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Center Speaker Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Left Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Front Left Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Right Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Front Right Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Left Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Green |
| Front Left Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Green/Yellow |
| Front Right Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Purple |
| Front Right Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Purple/Yellow |
| Rear Left Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear Left Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Rear Right Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear Right Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Rear Left Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Brown |
| Rear Left Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Brown/Yellow |
| Rear Right Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Blue/Red |
| Rear Right Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Gray/Red |
| Subwoofer Positive Wire (+) | Gray/Brown |
| Subwoofer Negative Wire (–) | Dark Green/Brown |
1982–1987 Dodge Charger Speaker Sizes and Locations
Use the speaker table below for your 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 Dodge Charger speaker sizes and locations.
| Speakers | Speaker Size & Location |
|---|---|
| Center Speaker Size | N/A |
| Center Speaker Location | N/A |
| Front Tweeter Speaker Size | N/A |
| Front Tweeter Speaker Location | N/A |
| Front Speaker Size | 5-1/4″ Speakers |
| Front Speaker Location | Front Dash |
| Rear Tweeter Speaker Size | N/A |
| Rear Tweeter Speaker Location | N/A |
| Rear Speaker Size | 5-1/4″ Speakers |
| Rear Speaker Location | Tailgate |
| Subwoofer Speaker Size | N/A |
| Subwoofer Speaker Location | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the radio wiring the same in a base Charger 2.2 and a Shelby Charger?
Yes. The Shelby Charger and turbocharged Shelby Charger/GLHS variants used the same L-body dash and Head Unit connector as the standard Charger 2.2 — the Shelby package focused on suspension, engine, and trim upgrades rather than a unique factory audio system. The same wiring harness adapter and installation steps apply across the entire trim lineup for this generation.
Does the 1982–1987 Dodge Charger have a factory amplifier to bypass?
No. None of the L-body Charger trims, including the Shelby Charger and GLHS, were equipped with a factory Amplifier. All speakers are powered directly by the head unit, so there is no amp bypass or amp turn-on wire to account for when installing an aftermarket stereo — the amplifier trigger wire on an Aftermarket Head Unit only needs to be connected if you are adding your own amp.
Does the 1982–1987 Dodge Charger have steering wheel audio controls?
No Charger from this generation offered steering wheel-mounted audio controls; the feature did not appear on Chrysler L-body vehicles of this era. No SWC retention interface is required when installing an Aftermarket Head Unit in any 1982–1987 Charger.
What dash kit do I need for a 1982–1987 Dodge Charger head unit swap?
The L-body dash opening in this generation accepts a standard single-DIN aftermarket Radio with the correct trim-specific dash kit and trim bezel, since the factory head unit was a single-DIN unit mounted in the center stack. Confirm whether your Charger has the factory pocket/storage bin or a factory-installed clock or equalizer accessory below the radio opening, as this can affect which dash kit fits cleanly.
Add Wiring Information
If you have verified 1982–1987 Dodge Charger radio wiring data — wire colors, pin locations, harness adapter tips, or speaker sizes — please share it in the comments below. Community-submitted data is reviewed and added to the table above to help other Charger owners. If you have a question about your Dodge Charger stereo installation, post it below and our community will work to find an answer.
📻 Jump to Another Model Year Range
5th Gen (1982–1987)
6th Gen (2006–2010)
7th Gen (2011–2014)
8th Gen (2015–2023)