Upgrading and Replacing OEM Radio

[RED TAHOE LS]

Today I got a quote for Alpine with all the necessary items for two different options. I know prices are
all over the board, this place has been in same location in excess of 20 yrs, great reviews and QUALITY.
Let me hear your opinions, have noticed OEM like my unit that has BLUETOOTH installed in the range
of $250 ?????????? Need your ADVISE...Hoe is my original pride....no hack job.

David g.



am/fm/cd/Bluetooth $570



am/fm/cd/gps $980

 

[iamdub]

Are you asking if there is a cheaper option that is not hacking?

Those prices are in the range of what those of us with NBS and NNBS would have to spend because of the adapter interfaces. All yours should need is a $12 wire harness plug-and-play adapter.

What all are the features you absolutely want? Are those quotes for a double DIN conversion? (The dash kit alone for that is $150.)

If you don't NEED the nav/GPS, you can get a pretty decent AM/FM/CD/BT single DIN head unit for $100-$150. Connect about 12 wires (most, if not all of which will be just matching colors), mount the dash kit, and snap it all into place. No cutting of any factory wiring is necessary.

 

[drakon543]

pay attention to crutchfield for sales and such and you could even end up with a nice quality hu with extra features and the install kit for free. also iamdub is correct on wiring comment. last 5 or so ive done for myself and side work are just color matching to the adapter. factory amps and stuff might toss in a confusing bit but a clear head can figure that out easilu.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Are you asking if there is a cheaper option that is not hacking?

Those prices are in the range of what those of us with NBS and NNBS would have to spend because of the adapter interfaces. All yours should need is a $12 wire harness plug-and-play adapter.

What all are the features you absolutely want? Are those quotes for a double DIN conversion? (The dash kit alone for that is $150.)

If you don't NEED the nav/GPS, you can get a pretty decent AM/FM/CD/BT single DIN head unit for $100-$150. Connect about 12 wires (most, if not all of which will be just matching colors), mount the dash kit, and snap it all into place. No cutting of any factory wiring is necessary.

Chris;
that price is out the door installed, including new dash panel, antenna adapter(don't understand WHY)
labor, sales tax and necessary harness.

 

[Fless]

The antenna lead connector on the GMs is different from the standard connector on the aftermarket radios. The adapter is a short piece of antenna wire that marries the two different connectors.

In my NBS I recently installed a single-din Kenwood system from Crutchfield, with steering wheel control adapter, for less than $225. I had already replaced the speakers long ago. It doesn't play CDs but has two USB ports and Bluetooth. All of the install material was there. They'll even wire up the speaker/power wires for you for an additional fee (mine would have been $25 but I soldered and heat shrinked my own). If you're comfortable doing the install then it's the way to go. Depending on the radio, they'll tell you if any modifications have to be done to make it fit. They even include some instructions on the install, how to remove the old radio, etc.

 

[iamdub]

Chris;
that price is out the door installed, including new dash panel, antenna adapter(don't understand WHY)
labor, sales tax and necessary harness.

Assuming that "new dash panel" is the double DIN conversion piece and the Alpine HUs they've quoted you are upper-end Double DIN units, I'd say the prices aren't out of line for a reputable shop.

But it sounds like those are HUs far more advanced and loaded than what you need or are even interested in. If you were asking if you could get an AM/FM/CD/BT unit installed for around $250 at most, then that's definitely do-able. If you were so inclined, you should be able to do it yourself and save even more.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

After considering my options, I'm looking for the am/fm/CD/nav ONLY.
Not knowing if both iPhone or Android use the same setup ? I am satisfied with my $21.00 BT (handsfree) earpiece. The BT radio is only beneficial while in the car.
Guys.... give me a good choice and DIY install of what you experienced.
David g

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[RED TAHOE LS]

The antenna lead connector on the GMs is different from the standard connector on the aftermarket radios. The adapter is a short piece of antenna wire that marries the two different connectors.

In my NBS I recently installed a single-din Kenwood system from Crutchfield, with steering wheel control adapter, for less than $225. I had already replaced the speakers long ago. It doesn't play CDs but has two USB ports and Bluetooth. All of the install material was there. They'll even wire up the speaker/power wires for you for an additional fee (mine would have been $25 but I soldered and heat shrinked my own). If you're comfortable doing the install then it's the way to go. Depending on the radio, they'll tell you if any modifications have to be done to make it fit. They even include some instructions on the install, how to remove the old radio, etc.

Steve, thanks for the heads up, good information. I'm leaning toward NAVIGATION over BT, since I have an hands free earpiece that works outside the vehicle very well. I not concerned about taking calls through the radio.
d
Do you mind sending me what you have as far as model # and installation items, [email protected] ??
Again, thanks.

David g.

 

[Fless]

David, you'll find that the installations between the OBS and NBS are quite different. I've never done an install in an OBS so I'm just using what the Crutchfield guide shows. Hopefully others with real life experience can chime in.

In my NBS I installed the Kenwood Excelon KMM-X503 (single din footprint, no NAV, no CD). I don't listen to CDs since all my music is either on a USB drive that plugs into the stereo, or I stream from my phone via Bluetooth. Since I have steering wheel controls I opted to get the PAC SWC adapter, and Crutchfield provided the Scosche GM dash kit for free. One thing that I didn't like about the dash kit was that it added another pocket, one too deep to use for much of anything. I'd just as soon have had a blank panel below the radio.

In order to install a double din or nav unit in an OBS some of the dash around the radio pocket will need to be modified. This is what Crutchfield shows for virtually every double din / NAV install:



You may also need to change out your speakers. I had replaced mine a couple of years before changing out the radio.

If you have a reputable shop that does good work, it might be worth it to buy it there, using their experience and expertise to get a job well done. Perhaps they could discuss in detail what modifications they'd need to make, and maybe show you some pics of a similar install.

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Thanks for the update, these are big decisions, I'm just not comfortable someone taking my vehicle behind closed doors and starting tearing/cutting/sawing on my dash.

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