Aftermarket head unit swap in your PPV

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

absmith

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Hope it works out! I contemplated buying one of the cheap Chinese radios with similar features to the top DD head units (for 200-300 bucks). That one is less than 100 bucks on Amazon, but it totes some really bad customer service and product reviews. With my luck I'll have all the issues, but hope it works for what you want.

Have you guys seen the refurbished OEM steroes on ebay where they add bluetooth? I'm wondering how well these work.
 
OP
OP
RichardCranium

RichardCranium

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2016
Posts
867
Reaction score
1,658
Location
Mebane, North Carolina

CrashTestDummy

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2014
Posts
855
Reaction score
292
Location
Pearland, Texas
I just put in the Pioneer AVIC 8500 NEX. Installed front and rear cameras too.
Used the CarXtc install kit from amazon. works perfect. Their little adaptor box has a volume control for door chimes(it uses an internal speaker).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GP51ZF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 227314 View attachment 227315 View attachment 227316 View attachment 227318 View attachment 227319

Adding backup/rear view camera capability would be about the only reason I'd replace the OEM head unit. That's nice.
 

RooTBeeRthe1st

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2018
Posts
1,022
Reaction score
2,347
Did you buy anything else besides the head unit and this kit (besides the cameras)? Steering wheel controls work?
Just the head unit, install kit, and cameras. The only controls on my steering wheel are cruise control buttons.
The kit did come with the wires to hook up to steering wheel controls and factory backup camera though. My SSV didn't have any of those options.


Adding backup/rear view camera capability would be about the only reason I'd replace the OEM head unit. That's nice.
Honestly, I mostly just upgraded for the Bluetooth. However I also end up in a lot of mountains and deserts where I have no cell service, so I threw the extra cash at getting the nav.
And I figured if I'm already in there and messing with everything, I might as well add front and rear cameras and never have to touch the system again.

My OEM head unit only had an auxiliary port, AM/MF, and CD.
 
OP
OP
RichardCranium

RichardCranium

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2016
Posts
867
Reaction score
1,658
Location
Mebane, North Carolina
Just the head unit, install kit, and cameras. The only controls on my steering wheel are cruise control buttons.
The kit did come with the wires to hook up to steering wheel controls and factory backup camera though. My SSV didn't have any of those options.
Thanks!

The steering wheel controls are an easy add on to a stock steering wheel. I think I paid like $40 for the harness and buttons.
It's plug and play, all you need is the buttons. Or in my case, the actual hoop of the steering wheel was separating from the metal inside, so I just tossed on a leather wheel with the SWC's. Worked instantly.
 

balln2k11

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Posts
123
Reaction score
69
I have a Kenwood Double-Din (nothing too fancy). Used the Maestro RR along with the GM 5+ adapter. Checkout idatalink (who is the maker of Maestro). I love the Maestro as you program it with a computer on how you want the steering wheel controls to work and gives me my trucks OBDII data in my head unit. Make sure you get a head unit that supports Maestro... Everything else is kind of garbage if it’s not Maestro (PAC isn’t too bad). Also bought a new steering wheel to give me the volume controls. I could have just bought the controls and wired in, but the steering wheel was awful.

Also have a backup camera that I purchased from Crutchfield that looks exactly like the factory backup camera.

I have replaced all the door speakers with Alpine including the tweeters in the A-Pilers with Apline R-Type.

Ran all new wires and added a Alipne 4-channel amp along with Alpine mono block amp for the sub.

A8691F55-99EF-4E55-BDBD-CEA3FF2AD175.jpeg 469466E9-165B-47FE-9C0C-9C667B66D22F.jpeg
 

Ilikemtb999

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
823
Reaction score
794
Location
Denver
The maestro is well worth the money. I returned a PAC unit after about 2 weeks of it working then suddenly not working then working rinse repeat. Never had an issue with the maestro
 
Top