Adding Factory Nav - is a VSS Wiring kit needed?

[felixgun]

So i'm adding factory nav to my 07 Avy LTZ which came with 6 disc dvd changer in front with rear entertainment-- no nav. I was going to get an aftermarket HU, but after playing with GMX-550 LockPick in my other vehicle on a factory gm nav system, I feel like it's sufficient and I like the fact that it's Factory/OEM... So anyways, I need to find out all the missing pieces other then the physical head unit. I know you need a GPS Antenna which i've already purchased.

I read article on another forum showing that they had purchased it when upgrading to factory Nav: http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,122553.0.html#msg1867528

Does anyone that has done this know for a fact if I need this VSS Wiring kit to get the factory nav screen to work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-09-GM-CH...ultDomain_0&hash=item19ba3ab0fa#ht_2363wt_802

 

[ChevyFreak]

Felix,
Yes a VSS kit is needed. The GPS will not be able to track you properly without it. In some cases, I don't even think the navigation will work at all without it.

That kit is exactly what you need. In fact, it's the same one that I orded when installing a factory nav. on my Tahoe. The green wire with brown connector is the VSS wire and the red and black wire hook up to the Onstar module to allow voice commands. I will happy to provide directions if you need them. I think I posted something awhile back for another member installing a VSS wire.

On a side note - make sure the navigation unit you purchase has the DVD symbol on the front lower left, and of course that it is a Bose unit.

I hope that helps! Let me know if I can be of any more assistance

Of Topic: Oh and congrats on the two new vehicles! I read through that very long thread. All I have to say is wow It got off topic rather quickly The end result was very relieving though! It was a good read. I kept clicking to the next page wondering when you were going to finally find the right Escalade.

 

[felixgun]

Dylan,

Thanks for the response! After posting this, I texted my auto install guy and he said that the last car similar to mine that he did, already had those wires in the vehicle. He said I shouldn't have to worry about it since it's already in the car. I explained that after reading online, some cars had them and some didn't. do you know what criteria is required to having this actually come factory pre-installed in the vehicle?

---------- Post added at 04:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:37 PM ----------

On a side note - make sure the navigation unit you purchase has the DVD symbol on the front lower left, and of course that it is a Bose unit.

OK that sounds good it looks like I got all that so I should be good to go... I got it from a member on here, here is a pic of it:

The part number is: 20862567

It came with factory bose and 6 disc DVD changer but no nav...

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------

I hope that helps! Let me know if I can be of any more assistance

Of Topic: Oh and congrats on the two new vehicles! I read through that very long thread. All I have to say is wow It got off topic rather quickly The end result was very relieving though! It was a good read. I kept clicking to the next page wondering when you were going to finally find the right Escalade.

Thanks man I appreciate it! I am so pumped I got them and have so much work ahead of me. LOL yes 40 pages of de-rail. Yea I went through a LOT of different esky's and denali's till I found the right one... and the one I ended up with is MINT condish and I could ask for nothing more... Turns out most used vehicles are pretty damn crusty and if you are OCD/meticulous about stuff like I am, then you won't be happy with the first one you see...

 

[nytahoe]

i think just Antenna is needed i would just try it out 1st before ordering anything other

 

[TmadeEdition]

I got the same question," If I needed that Vss wire kit. I have 07 yukon denali xl im updgrading to a factory nav.. I already have a brown connector connected to the back of my old radio.. so would i still need the vss wire kit? that means that wouldn't need the old brown connector right?

 

[ChevyFreak]

do you know what criteria is required to having this actually come factory pre-installed in the vehicle?

Unfortunately, I don't know the criteria. It may be just a matter of hit or miss. Because your Avy is an LTZ the chances are probably higher. In the end, I would think it comes down to pulling out the radio and looking. If that brown connector is already there, and has a wire coming off of it (usually green) then you are probably good to go. If not, well then you obviously need the connection. Either way, it's not hard to do.

OK that sounds good it looks like I got all that so I should be good to go... I got it from a member on here, here is a pic of it

That looks to be the correct unit. So you are good to go here!

Good luck with the install and let me know if you need any help at all!!

I got the same question," If I needed that Vss wire kit. I have 07 yukon denali xl im updgrading to a factory nav.. I already have a brown connector connected to the back of my old radio.. so would i still need the vss wire kit? that means that wouldn't need the old brown connector right?

I would have to say that you are probably all set. If that brown connector is there then I would think you have the VSS wire already done. I did not have a brown connector there when I did my install, therefore, because you do, this leaves me to believe that you already have the connection.

 

[ChevyGuy]

Subscribing. Felix, take some pics as you go through this

 

[ChrisAU]

The need for VSS pisses me off, I don't understand it...my old Garmin didn't need it. Why does my $1000 AVIC need it??? I found it and tapped it, but still.

 

[felixgun]

Subscribing. Felix, take some pics as you go through this

Oh I definitely will. I'm sure others upgrading to factory nav will have this same question.

 

[ChevyGuy]

Oh I definitely will. I'm sure others upgrading to factory nav will have this same question.

After a lot of looking around at audio shops, I think I want to do the same thing instead of going aftermarket.

 

[ChevyFreak]

After a lot of looking around at audio shops, I think I want to do the same thing instead of going aftermarket.

This is why I installed the factory navigation in my Tahoe. Not only did I like the factory look, but the idea of it being mostly plug and play, and everything would just work (steering wheel controls, onstar, chimes etc..) after the fact made it all worth it.

I looked at so many different units, both online and in stores, and ultimately decided on going with OEM. The navigation is, well, to be desired, but on really long trips I often use my Garmin I already own, or my phone anyways.

The other thing about aftermarket is everything that has to be bought along with it. You spend maybe anywhere from $400.00-$800.00 on the unit itself, and then turn around and have to buy this wire and that wire. Oh and that module for XM, and this one for Onstar. Then you have to buy another one for steering wheel controls, and program that to work. Of course, you are hoping it programs right and the volume button actually controls the volume. I could go on and on....

It's not that aftermarket systems are bad, they just aren't for everyone. I wanted something simple, that I could enjoy after a few hours of work, and have no other hassles after the fact.

Wow, I went on yet another tangent... I have to stop doing that

 

[ChevyGuy]

No, you just summed up how I feel about it also. Now I just need to find a good unit to install. Dealer costs are astronomic, so I guess I'll have to be cruising ebay etc...

 

[ChevyFreak]

No, you just summed up how I feel about it also. Now I just need to find a good unit to install. Dealer costs are astronomic, so I guess I'll have to be cruising ebay etc...

There are lots out there!

Just to give you a starting point I will provide a link of the guy that I bought mine from on eBay. They specialize in these, and will actually program it for you so you don't have to make a dealer trip. It comes with everything except the VSS kit which they also sell. His name is Tom and he was very pleasant to deal with. I'm not trying to solicit or anything, but when buying high price items on eBay it always good to buy from someone you know is trustworthy.

GM Navigation - eBay

 

[felixgun]

I've always gone the aftermarket route. This is the first time I'm upgrading to a factory nav. I also got a CCD Rear Cam kit that works alongside the gmx-550 to unlock the nav/dvd while in motion, and adds iDevice support for audio/video via 30 pin dock connector. For some reason I couldn't find the factory rear cam option so was forced to go aftermarket.

Originally, I planned on going with the kenwood dnx9980hd, but just couldn't justify spending 1300 on JUST the screen minus the add on components, wiring harness, dash kit, and install costs. Had I not got an amazing deal on the factory nav screen, I probably would've went that route. The gps antenna is 60-70 and screen cost me 400. I bought the CCD rear cam kit for 150, gmx550 lock pick for 290, dealer flash is 50, install is 200+ tax. That's approx 1100 all in for nav/rear cam/unlocked features/iPhone support.

When I had my 08 Tahoe, I spent about 1400-1500 on the same exact options. After getting the lock pick in the the esky, it definitely made me feel more comfortable going the factory route for the avy. The only thing factory is missing is a reliable gps app like kenwood has garmin which is simply amazing...

 

[ranorris2]

I gave a local dealer my vin # and he was able to tell me that I would not need to vss kit to install navigation, and that I am already pre-wired for the back up camera. So you may give that a shot and let the dealer tell you...

 

[felixgun]

Turns out my local custom automotive shop in town will do the whole install PLUS bring it to the dealership to flash the factory nav screen. They said it costs around 50 to do that at the dealership and to install the factory nav/gps/GMX550 LockPick/aftermarket CCD Rear Cam kit, it'll be 200. So 250 to install ALL of that isn't too bad... i'll let you all know how it goes...

 

[Luie]

I need that harness. GPS will not keep as I drive around.