Question about radio swap

I found a totaled 2011 LTZ that has a head unit with navigation, steering wheel with radio controls and all the trim parts to change my interior to the wood grain for $300

Am i going to have any trouble swapping the head unit into my PPV?

madmanjustice said:

I found a totaled 2011 LTZ that has a head unit with navigation, steering wheel with radio controls and all the trim parts to change my interior to the wood grain for $300

Am i going to have any trouble swapping the head unit into my PPV?

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All of that for $300? That's a great deal as the HU alone is worth $300+ in noticeably used condition.

I don't think there will be any swap issues other than having the HU programmed to your VIN. If you can get the part number off the HU (sticker on the top of it's case), someone here might can verify it's compatibility. Unless you know of someone near you, I'd suggest having Greg at CPS A/V program it. He can also tell you if it's compatible and what else you may need for it to work. A speed sensor harness is one of the extras you'll need. Don't forget to grab the GPS antenna from the LTZ. If this wrecked one has the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE, AKA "flip-down screen"), then you may have an issue with it running hotter and a little more slowly cuz it'll constantly search for the RSE module that doesn't exist.

any idea what it cost to have a head unit reprogrammed?

madmanjustice said:

any idea what it cost to have a head unit reprogrammed?

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IIRC, CPS charges $100 which includes return shipping. You pay for shipping to CPS.

Dealers are SUPPOSED to be able to do it, but it seems there are some that think they can but don't actually know how. Their labor rate may be less than the total cost of CPS, but you better make damned sure the dealership knows what they're doing or it's not such a bargain at all. I read few stories of dealers bricking some HUs and decided I'd rather spend ~$112 and know for sure it would be correct. I'm even more glad I did because I learned about the RSE issue and Greg traded me a unit that had all the same features as the one I sent him to program for DVD. Technically, the one I sent him was worth more in general. But I don't have nor need rear DVD and having a unit running 100% was more valuable to me.

was just chatting with my mechanic, they have all the tools to do it.

So I went to check out the radio and steering wheel and stuff. Steering wheel much too worn and he did not have all of the interior trim pieces I wanted. But I got the radio, GPS antenna and the upper console piece for $170. The donor did not have the extra entertainment stuff (fold down screens and such) but it looks like there is a mic in the upper console. And this radio has USB as well.

Need to find out where to get the speed sensor cable and usb cable.

Here are pics of my dusty radio

Nice score! Especially since it doesn't have the RSE! PM member fiatdale. He might can help you out with the speed sensor harness. Greg at CPS might be able to as well.

it there anything special about the USB cable connection on the back of these units? It looks like a mini-usb and I see Dorman has a USB outlet that has a mini-usb connector on the back with a standard USB connection on the front. And I'm not able to find that USB cable anywhere.

Edit, found these. Would any of them work?

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-1911...automotive&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-1930...XA1CCZ9RFNX&psc=1&refRID=KFBSQ8HTWXA1CCZ9RFNX

madmanjustice said:

it there anything special about the USB cable connection on the back of these units? It looks like a mini-usb and I see Dorman has a USB outlet that has a mini-usb connector on the back with a standard USB connection on the front. And I'm not able to find that USB cable anywhere.

Edit, found these. Would any of them work?

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-19119050-Original-Equipment-Cable/dp/B00S0DY9JM/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Chevrolet|47&Model=Tahoe|499&Year=2011|2011&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-1930...XA1CCZ9RFNX&psc=1&refRID=KFBSQ8HTWXA1CCZ9RFNX

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The USB plug itself is a standard mini-USB and the factory cable has it encased in that box so that it can snap securely and stay in the back of the HU. I converted the passenger side power port to the factory USB port and got the factory dash USB harness so it would all snap together as originally designed. You could do the same or you can get a regular mini-USB male to standard USB female cord and route it wherever out from the dash and plug your devices into that or get the Dorman setup and have a mounted USB socket. I'd put a blob of hot glue on the cable to hold it in place in the back of the HU if you don't get the factory snap-in cable. I don't know the differences in those two cables you listed. Maybe lengths? Some models had a USB port inside the center console.