Aftermarket head unit swap in your PPV

[absmith]

Hope it works out! I contemplated buying one of the cheap Chinese radios with similar features to the top DD head units (for 200-300 bucks). That one is less than 100 bucks on Amazon, but it totes some really bad customer service and product reviews. With my luck I'll have all the issues, but hope it works for what you want.

Have you guys seen the refurbished OEM steroes on ebay where they add bluetooth? I'm wondering how well these work.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

I just put in the Pioneer AVIC 8500 NEX. Installed front and rear cameras too.
Used the CarXtc install kit from amazon. works perfect. Their little adaptor box has a volume control for door chimes(it uses an internal speaker).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GP51ZF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[RichardCranium]

I just put in the Pioneer AVIC 8500 NEX. Installed front and rear cameras too.
Used the CarXtc install kit from amazon. works perfect. Their little adaptor box has a volume control for door chimes(it uses an internal speaker).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GP51ZF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Did you buy anything else besides the head unit and this kit (besides the cameras)? Steering wheel controls work?

 

[CrashTestDummy]

I just put in the Pioneer AVIC 8500 NEX. Installed front and rear cameras too.
Used the CarXtc install kit from amazon. works perfect. Their little adaptor box has a volume control for door chimes(it uses an internal speaker).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GP51ZF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 227314 View attachment 227315 View attachment 227316 View attachment 227318 View attachment 227319

Adding backup/rear view camera capability would be about the only reason I'd replace the OEM head unit. That's nice.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Did you buy anything else besides the head unit and this kit (besides the cameras)? Steering wheel controls work?

Just the head unit, install kit, and cameras. The only controls on my steering wheel are cruise control buttons.
The kit did come with the wires to hook up to steering wheel controls and factory backup camera though. My SSV didn't have any of those options.

Adding backup/rear view camera capability would be about the only reason I'd replace the OEM head unit. That's nice.

Honestly, I mostly just upgraded for the Bluetooth. However I also end up in a lot of mountains and deserts where I have no cell service, so I threw the extra cash at getting the nav.
And I figured if I'm already in there and messing with everything, I might as well add front and rear cameras and never have to touch the system again.

My OEM head unit only had an auxiliary port, AM/MF, and CD.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

The steering wheel controls are an easy add on to a stock steering wheel. I think I paid like $40 for the harness and buttons.

 

[RichardCranium]

Just the head unit, install kit, and cameras. The only controls on my steering wheel are cruise control buttons.
The kit did come with the wires to hook up to steering wheel controls and factory backup camera though. My SSV didn't have any of those options.

Thanks!

The steering wheel controls are an easy add on to a stock steering wheel. I think I paid like $40 for the harness and buttons.

It's plug and play, all you need is the buttons. Or in my case, the actual hoop of the steering wheel was separating from the metal inside, so I just tossed on a leather wheel with the SWC's. Worked instantly.

 

[balln2k11]

I have a Kenwood Double-Din (nothing too fancy). Used the Maestro RR along with the GM 5+ adapter. Checkout idatalink (who is the maker of Maestro). I love the Maestro as you program it with a computer on how you want the steering wheel controls to work and gives me my trucks OBDII data in my head unit. Make sure you get a head unit that supports Maestro... Everything else is kind of garbage if it’s not Maestro (PAC isn’t too bad). Also bought a new steering wheel to give me the volume controls. I could have just bought the controls and wired in, but the steering wheel was awful.

Also have a backup camera that I purchased from Crutchfield that looks exactly like the factory backup camera.

I have replaced all the door speakers with Alpine including the tweeters in the A-Pilers with Apline R-Type.

Ran all new wires and added a Alipne 4-channel amp along with Alpine mono block amp for the sub.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

The maestro is well worth the money. I returned a PAC unit after about 2 weeks of it working then suddenly not working then working rinse repeat. Never had an issue with the maestro

 

[Epplers]

I'm using this head unit that I bought at best buy, it's not bad. My antenna reception is bad.View attachment 226430 View attachment 226431 View attachment 226430View attachment 226431

Did you connect the power antenna wire?

 

[RichardCranium]

So my factory radio decided to act up, so I had no choice but to order something. The OEM kept switching between Aux/Tuner on its own, very frustrating......but if you punch the trim around the right side of the head unit, it would clear up for at least 5-10 minutes.

Ordered the Alpine iLX-W650, nothing fancy at all. Also ordered the installation kit with SWC that @RooTBeeRthe1st found on Amazon.

 

[Schwartzint1]

I had an older aftermarket head unit with nav laying around. It was pretty inexpensive to have installed at a local audio shop. No fancy steering wheel controls here.

 

[5strmtrp]

I’ve been using Crutchfield for my stereo upgrades. I know they are a bit more expensive, however you can get everything you need in one box. Or. Get all the information from their online ordering form and source the parts from there.

As far as I know the PPV’s & SSV’s do not have Onstar, Bluetooth, Navigation.

Paul

Posted purposely in this sub-forum

Have any of you guys installed an aftermarket head unit into your PPV or SSV? I searched, all I can find in the last thread was @Ron C and his OEM/Nav swap. Not interested in that, specifically looking for a unit with internal BT and AndroidAuto, but more importantly looking to see what route you guys went with adapter harnesses, etc.

I think its safe to assume that no PPV came with Bose or Nav. Besides the antenna adapter, the only thing really needed to retain are the door chimes and in my case, steering wheel controls (I swapped wheels). Just seeing if anyone had any input on what they have used, if they were happy, or what route they would take if they had to do it all over again.

TIA

 

[RichardCranium]

Posted up my install in my build thread.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/sooooooo-i-bought-a-ppv.92147/page-30#post-1380558

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Well, after about a year and a half, something fried(smelled for a few weeks). Back up camera doesn't want to work anymore and now air bag light is on(lost connection with radio).
So I'm going to add steering wheel buttons and looking at the maestro you guys were talking about.
I found the buttons fine, but have trouble finding the harness inside the wheel.

 

[balln2k11]

So you have lot of different challenges going on. Does your stereo head unit not work anymore? You mentioned the backup camera isn’t working. Don’t know about the burning smell and airbag light. I do know our PPVs have a ton of wires just laying around after they decommission them.

Yes, the iDatalink Maestros and GM5+ Kit works amazing.

When it comes to adding the audio controllers to the right hand side of the wheel, you have two options. 1. Buy a new steering wheel with the the added audio controllers installed. 2. Buy the audio controller for the steering wheel, cut the steering wheel along with changing the harness. Option 1 is more expensive (about $200), but you will never regret that option for ease and better looks.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Update.
Finally got around to looking into the issue.
Happy that I diagnosed it properly before even looking into anything. Haha
So the "cheap" Amazon box I bought is what fried.

Already have a grant leather steering wheel.
Have steering wheel radio buttons and wiring harness on their way.
And also the Maestro RR2 and GM adapter heading here.
Just going to do it all at once.

Backup camera only wasn't working because of the controller box.
I actually have it switched so I can turn it on and use the radio to look at the trailer behind me while I'm going down the road without being in reverse... It's a three pole, so I've just left the switch in the off position since I had that issue.

Once all the parts come in, I should only have a couple hours worth of work.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Threw on the new leather Grant steering wheel, added the radio control buttons, hooked up the maestro rr2, and added dic buttons.

Can't believe I didn't do this right after I bought it. I wish I knew how easy it would have been. This is all the stuff I've wanted from the vehicle since I got it.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

Good stuff, you just need to wrap your steering wheel spokes cuz of the peeling paint. I did it to mine, real easy.