06 denali xl cd changer removal

[about20ninj45]

So I've already done an aftermarket head unit. Nav built in, bluetooth, and radio. Anyways, I don't have aux or sub inputs although my head unit toes have an iPod cable. Not sure if it works though a dive never used it. I just stream over bluetooth. Aneyays i want to do something different with the cd changer cuz I never use it. Like ever. Any ideas as to something somewhat simple to mod in there that's functional? That does something?

****** holder with LED lights for the different flavors

 

[XLDenali06]

****** holder with LED lights for the different flavors

Lol!

 

[about20ninj45]

Lol!

Read your build thread, nice score on the rack and rear escalade appliques...

 

[XLDenali06]

Read your build thread, nice score on the rack and rear escalade appliques...

Thanks. I thought it was a pretty sweet deal, too. Neither are perfect, but for the price and not having to paint them, I'm a happy camper. And the couple scuffs in the paint can likely be buffed out, I just haven't tried.

 

[Tonyrodz]

****** holder with LED lights for the different flavors

Ooooo, freaky!

 

[adventurenali92]

****** holder with LED lights for the different flavors

When I said functional I meant something useful on an every day basis! that would not be functional or useful for me in any way! Haha

 

[Tonyrodz]

When I said functional I meant something useful on an every day basis! that would not be funcruonal or useful for me in any way! Haha

Well.... Depends if you're gonna have a busy weekend.

 

[adventurenali92]

Well.... Depends if you're gonna have a busy weekend.

Well I don't sleep around so that would be a negative on having a busy weekend haha.

 

[bhullIT]

Now the fun part. Turn on your car or put it in the acc position. Change your input to cdx, fire up that second radio, and test your volume. If you have sound,CONGRATS!!! if you dont, dont fret because you have 3 ways of turning up the volume via steering wheel, stoxk headunit or aftermarket head unit, they have to be adjusted so i recommend settimg your aftermarket radio to a volume level of 8 and then turn up the stock headunits volume. If for any reason you want to use xm on your stock, be aware that your xm inputs get overided by the cdx input, so if u change out of cdx input youncan hear it on the xm inputs. If you dont want to hear it over the xm, just turn the radio off.


Once you button everything back up, you are now finished! Hats off to you COMPLETE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL DO MY BEST TO RESPOND TO THEM IN A TIMELY MANOR! ENJOY!!!!!!

Excellent post & just what I was looking for on my newly acquired 2004 Escalade.

Thanks for taking the time to post!

Do you have any specs on the audio lines from the CDx? I would think they are line level (RCA) and would not require pre-amplification. I'm surprised your 2nd head unit did not cause distortion at anything above minimum volume so I wonder if amplification is actually required to at least match the CDx output levels.

Since I'm just looking for BT, my plan is to only install a BT to aux adapter which can be hidden.

I have the iTranzit Blu by iSimple which attaches to FM or AUX. FM is decent, but AUX will be better.

 

[tooleyondeck]

Excellent post & just what I was looking for on my newly acquired 2004 Escalade.

Why not just get a new head unit? Tech has advanced a lot since 2017 when this thread was last updated and Carplay/Android/BT head units have become more affordable.

 

[bhullIT]

Why not just get a new head unit? Tech has advanced a lot since 2017 when this thread was last updated and Carplay/Android/BT head units have become more affordable.

That's the thing. Tech keeps advancing and nothing is more advanced than my current phone.

All I want is a HU with a volume knob and BT, but they don't make those and extra gear is req'd to retain the steering wheel controls and chimes.

Tapping into existing wires is the best choice and will give me exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[adventurenali92]

Hi y'all. I am torn on what brand to use of ceramic, I read some of the older threads and saw a bunch of options. We have done SystemX ceramic coatings on my last two vehicles and we were happy with it. However the one shop I contacted in KC said they won't even install it anymore and have switched to Fireball brand. I know another shop closer to me is offering 3M brand installed for a bit less which is tempting.

What ceramic brand did you go with? Are you happy with it? Did you happen to go to anyone in the KCMO area to rec?

I also was reading some don't post to CarFax but I liked the concept of that "bonus"? And yes I'm having someone else install it, I'm big on supporting other small biz plus I believe whoever does this everyday is always going to be better at it than me!

I did just get ceramic tint installed on the windows and I'm SO excited about it. Pics to come, it's sitting next to me at the shop still being installed haha.

That's the thing. Tech keeps advancing and nothing is more advanced than my current phone.

All I want is a HU with a volume knob and BT, but they don't make those and extra gear is req'd to retain the steering wheel controls and chimes.

Tapping into existing wires is the best choice and will give me exactly what I'm looking for.

Excellent point….. BUT….. this idea still requires you to buy another headunit. Yeah it’s cheaper and simpler. But for just a little more you can skip that step all together and get a double DIN unit that’s CarPlay/android auto enabled.

an apple car play/android auto enabled headunit will enable that latest tech phone of yours to work much more easily with the stereo system and mirror things on the screen….. like Apple Maps or google maps based on whichever phone you’re using, that’s going to be a much better navigation system than the system that’s built into a GMT800…… always up to date and will show directly on the screen but with much better updated graphics that make it easier to follow directions when using nav. Plus whatever app you use for music will also mirror on the screen. And even though it’ll require you to put in a module to retain the steering wheel controls there will still be a physical volume button, the one on your steering wheel.

 

[tooleyondeck]

All I want is a HU with a volume knob and BT, but they don't make those and extra gear is req'd to retain the steering wheel controls and chimes.

I think you would be more than happy with something like this. I paid about $300 total for this HU w/ BT & Carplay plus the harness that allowed me to keep my Bose amp and steering wheel controls, plus it came with a backup camera. I ordered it from Crutchfield and they even wired everything up so it was literally plug and play when I got it. I did not splice a single wire.

 

[bhullIT]

I think you would be more than happy with something like this. I paid about $300 total for this HU w/ BT & Carplay plus the harness that allowed me to keep my Bose amp and steering wheel controls, plus it came with a backup camera. I ordered it from Crutchfield and they even wired everything up so it was literally plug and play when I got it. I did not splice a single wire.

View attachment 411592

Thanks, I also saw that option on Crutchfield. Good to know it's really plug and play & I may opt for it if this solution does not pan out.

Time and skills I have, but $ not so much (hence the 20 yr old vehicle).

I already have the BT to AUX adapter and just need a way to wire it in. My phone screen is large enough for me and mounts in front of the radio.

What I'd really like to know is the specs on the CDx audio wires. My suspicion is that they are "line level" like standard RCA. Soon I'll wire it up and let y'all know.