2005 with Bose - Upgrade or Start over?

[jarydM]

So, I've spent some time looking at aftermarket HU's because I want to gain bluetooth capability, and after watching a demo of AndroidAuto, I've decided that will eventually be the functionality I want to have in the car, because my phone is my primary hub when travelling for NAV and music.

I've found that it requires some extensive install adapters to keep steering controls, and now I've found that I may actually be able to retain rear seat entertainment functionality (while not an issue currently, I do plan on having the vehicle a while, and maybe eventually there will be children).

Here's what I'm looking to keep / upgrade :

• HU with Bluetooth (ones with AndroidAuto and AppleCarPlay utilize USB connections, so I will use male to fmale adapters and mount the ports into the dash)
• Rear Seat Entertainment. While the current screen and setup will eventually be replaced, I want to retain use of it.
• Better Speakers, Better or additional subwoofer, and I imagine this means changing the AMP as well, because it would need more power, or more outputs?
• Retain all original functionality, and look stock (because I don't want it broken into)
• Backup Camera display in HU / DVD playback on HU. For safety or entertainment, respectively.

So I guess the question is this. Is it worth it to upgrade the HU, and then do everything else as I get to it? Or should I find someone with a lot more experience than I, and have everything built and wired from "scratch"?

I don't want to get to a point where I'm hooking up adapters for other adapters, and I really don't want to have to take the dash off more than I have to. I have a bad habit of breaking plastic parts.

thanks for the info!

 

[jarydM]

For reference, I'm looking at something like http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1308200NEX/Pioneer-AVIC-8200NEX.html although I would definitely go cheaper so long as its quality

 

[NathanJax]

Just get the right harnesses the first time and swap out the head unit. Then swap out door speakers, then add sub(s)...

 

[jarydM]

Just get the right harnesses the first time and swap out the head unit. Then swap out door speakers, then add sub(s)...

Thats pretty much exactly what I wanted to know, I didn't know if it would be worth it to pull out everything and do a fresh "modded" install or not. But I don't have the skill to do that.

 

[kevshoe]

I just went through the same thing. I've had a 2004 Tahoe LS bought new. I ended up putting a Pioneer appradio in it, a 10" down firing sub (and amp just to run that sub) and new door speakers a couple years back. Loved the sound and just enough bass to make me happy...but not bouncing down the road. This Tahoe was recently re-purposed to my 17 year old son and I bought a 2005 Tahoe LT off my dad. Only 17,000 miles...still looks brand new inside and out. I installed a Pioneer 4200NEX, same amp and sub setup, but left the Bose speakers in. Sounds amazing. The amp was only $45 and the sub was around $100. I also just installed remote start for it was well. I'm loving Android Auto.

Amp - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S4XNEO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sub - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQTU3QC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Harness - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHUA9VA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Double Din Install Kit for radio - https://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electr...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JBKCVATT4HYY322X7YRK

 

[jarydM]

I just went through the same thing. I've had a 2004 Tahoe LS bought new. I ended up putting a Pioneer appradio in it, a 10" down firing sub (and amp just to run that sub) and new door speakers a couple years back. Loved the sound and just enough bass to make me happy...but not bouncing down the road. This Tahoe was recently re-purposed to my 17 year old son and I bought a 2005 Tahoe LT off my dad. Only 17,000 miles...still looks brand new inside and out. I installed a Pioneer 4200NEX, same amp and sub setup, but left the Bose speakers in. Sounds amazing. The amp was only $45 and the sub was around $100. I also just installed remote start for it was well. I'm loving Android Auto.

Amp - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S4XNEO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sub - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQTU3QC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Harness - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DHUA9VA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Double Din Install Kit for radio - https://www.amazon.com/Metra-Electr...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JBKCVATT4HYY322X7YRK

Awesome, thanks for the links. I haven't done any stereo work in a car since my buddy and I worked on his 92 maxima when we were in high school. How/where did you install the amp and the sub. I'm not at all interested in having thumb or boom, but I do love to hear and feel the music.

 

[kevshoe]

Awesome, thanks for the links. I haven't done any stereo work in a car since my buddy and I worked on his 92 maxima when we were in high school. How/where did you install the amp and the sub. I'm not at all interested in having thumb or boom, but I do love to hear and feel the music.

The amp is under the second row passenger seat behind the drivers seat, the sub is sitting behind the third row seats...right in the middle of them. Perfect fit. I like this sub because I can still put stuff on top of it as it's down firing. I also like to hear and "feel" the music, so this setup is perfect for me. I'll try to snap some pictures when I get home tonight.

 

[jarydM]

The amp is under the second row passenger seat behind the drivers seat, the sub is sitting behind the third row seats...right in the middle of them. Perfect fit. I like this sub because I can still put stuff on top of it as it's down firing. I also like to hear and "feel" the music, so this setup is perfect for me. I'll try to snap some pictures when I get home tonight.

Awesome! thanks!

 

[reedal]

I'd recommend adding some sound deadener to your list for your doors, otherwise you'll be rather disappointed when you change speakers and don't have as much midbass as you did before. Taking the steps to remove panel resonances and dispersing the backwave of the speaker can go a long way in order to prevent cancellation. The bose speakers of the NBS SUVs have a rear baffle which increases midbass. I see a lot of people are disappointed when they change speakers and don't have the same or better response.

Just some food for thought.

 

[kevshoe]

The amp is under the second row passenger seat behind the drivers seat, the sub is sitting behind the third row seats...right in the middle of them. Perfect fit. I like this sub because I can still put stuff on top of it as it's down firing. I also like to hear and "feel" the music, so this setup is perfect for me. I'll try to snap some pictures when I get home tonight.

Pics for location of sub and amp: