My Stereo and Sub Install

[NCTahoe]

Hey all,

I wanted to quickly show you guys my install I did myself on my 2011 Tahoe! I picked up the truck in the last couple of weeks and quickly found that the factory sub wasn't cutting it. Also the lack of bluetooth streaming for music was a real bummer since my last BMW had it. The truck had factory Nav, back up cam, rear DVD and Bose. I installed a Pioneer head unit and JL subwoofer.

Parts I used:
Pioneer SPH-DA120 Head Unit
JL 10W3v3-4 10" Subwoofer
Sound Ordnance Sub Box
Axxess SWC-1 kit (steering wheel controls)
Axxess GMOS-LAN-02 kit (Onstar and all other features)
Axxess GMRSAV kit (Rear Video Integration)
Rockford Fosgate Prime R500-1 Amplifier
Various wiring for amp and subwoofer

Overall the install took me around 3.5-4 hours to do all the connections and run the wiring. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be! First up was the head unit install. Making the connections was straight forward. The steering wheel controls worked great at first then died after 15-20 minutes of usage. I took the dash back apart and checked all the connections and re-assembled and it's working again with no hiccups. Here's the finished product:
IMG_2944 by Chris Merritt, on Flickr

I ran two USB cables from my head unit. One to the lower left cigarette outlet on the dash, second to the factory USB input in the center console. I placed the Amp Gain controller in the center console in front of the cup holders for easy access.
Untitled by Chris Merritt, on Flickr

I also ran my GPS and microphone leads. The GPS receiver was placed on the dash in the middle and the microphone was on the driver's A-pillar. I'm looking for suggestions of other places to mount it though as I think it is too tacky looking there and would love to find a cleaner install location!
Untitled by Chris Merritt, on Flickr
Untitled by Chris Merritt, on Flickr

Next I ran all the wires for the amp. The leads and controller wire from the headunit were run through the center console, under the passenger's dash and down the passenger side of the vehicle and then were run across to the driver's side behind the second row captain's chairs. The power wire was run from the battery to the large grommet in the engine bay on the driver's side by the steering column. From there it was run down the driver's side to the amp. The ground was run under the carpet to a spot where I filed the paint off to bare metal for a clean ground. Here is the finished amp install. I may clean up the wires a bit more.
IMG_2945 by Chris Merritt, on Flickr
IMG_2946 by Chris Merritt, on Flickr
IMG_2947 by Chris Merritt, on Flickr

Then sub was placed in the back behind the passenger's rear seat.
IMG_2948 by Chris Merritt, on Flickr

The 3rd row does NOT fit with this particular box which is kind of a bummer but it does fit in between the second row seats so I can always put it there if I need the 3rd row which I rarely, if ever, will use.
The system sound great! Really happy with it. I will most likely end up doing speakers later but for now this is good.

The Pioneer unit is awesome as well. I was between this and the NEX series units. The main differences were that this unit has a better touch interface (until you get to the 7100,8100) and the NEX has a CD/DVD player. I don't remember the last time I used a CD so I opted for this one which was also cheaper. Plus I like that it doesn't have physical buttons on it that stick out which I personally don't like. The interface is great and carplay is cool as well. I just wish it worked with Google Maps on my iPhone instead of apple maps.

Hope this was helpful to someone out there. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask!

 

[NathanJax]

nice.

Are you going to hide the amp wires any better?

 

[NCTahoe]

nice.

Are you going to hide the amp wires any better?

That's the plan. This was the first variation of install. I just need to find the best way to do it. Open to suggestions!

I was toying with the idea of putting the amp under the center console but would have to figure out how to do it. Probably have to take the bose sub out.

 

[NathanJax]

you can lave the amp there, run the wires under the carpet and come out where the seat hinges are.

 

[Fosscore]

Nice work and write up.

 

[bigrhino]

X 2.

 

[jerryjoe28]

you can lave the amp there, run the wires under the carpet and come out where the seat hinges are.

x2 and this will look MUCH BETTER

 

[NCTahoe]

you can lave the amp there, run the wires under the carpet and come out where the seat hinges are.

Sounds good. I'll do that.

Thanks for the kind words guys!

 

[mlgreen]

Curious, why did you run a GPS antenna? I was under the impression that this unit doesn't have gps built in and simply uses the maps from an iPhone when it's plugged in.

 

[NCTahoe]

Curious, why did you run a GPS antenna? I was under the impression that this unit doesn't have gps built in and simply uses the maps from an iPhone when it's plugged in.

The head unit doesn't have built in GPS but when your phone is plugged into CarPlay the antenna works in conjunction with you phone to boost GPS signal so basically you have much better GPS service even if you don't have cell service. That's how it was explained to me.

 

[mlgreen]

Okay, gotcha. Nice unit, it's cleaner and more factory looking since it's all touch screen with no hard buttons.

 

[NCTahoe]

Okay, gotcha. Nice unit, it's cleaner and more factory looking since it's all touch screen with no hard buttons.

Thank you! I looked at quite a few different units and really liked the touch response on this one. Much more accurate and more smartphone-like than the NEX series headunits (unless you get the 7100,8100 units). I'm very happy with it

 

[PaulS63]

I believe you can mount the gps antenna in the factory provided space directly under the dash cover, if you pop the cover, there's a cavity that gm uses for it. Looks like it should fit fine.

 

[NCTahoe]

I believe you can mount the gps antenna in the factory provided space directly under the dash cover, if you pop the cover, there's a cavity that gm uses for it. Looks like it should fit fine.

I'll have to check it out. It'd be nice to have it underneath for a cleaner install. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Joew311]

I would try to get the mic up in the overhead with the dome lights. It seems like it would be less noticeable there and would pic up your voice better.

Also, I did what Nathan said on my amp wires and ran them under the carpet and through the spot where the hinges are. I didn't cut and carpet and just ran them under the access panel and out to my amp rack.

Very nice looking set up!

 

[t76turbo]

Looks really nice. I am in the same spot as you. I miss the Bluetooth streaming. I have the more basic radio and am looking to do something soon. I have only had my Tahoe for a few months but really miss my kind of music. I listen to mostly heavy metal and no radio stations play my music. So I have no choice but to bring it with me.

I wasn't considering that specific head unit but now I will. Thanks....

 

[NCTahoe]

I would try to get the mic up in the overhead with the dome lights. It seems like it would be less noticeable there and would pic up your voice better.

Also, I did what Nathan said on my amp wires and ran them under the carpet and through the spot where the hinges are. I didn't cut and carpet and just ran them under the access panel and out to my amp rack.

Very nice looking set up!

Thank you. I will definitely look into getting the mic up there. I really don't like it where it is now. I'll update this thread once I relocate it. Been slammed with detailing jobs before I leave to start my real job in Buffalo, NY. Just finished a BMW Alpina B7!

Looks really nice. I am in the same spot as you. I miss the Bluetooth streaming. I have the more basic radio and am looking to do something soon. I have only had my Tahoe for a few months but really miss my kind of music. I listen to mostly heavy metal and no radio stations play my music. So I have no choice but to bring it with me.

I wasn't considering that specific head unit but now I will. Thanks....

I'm glad I could provide some inspiration. I really like it. It's simple and not loaded with a bunch of endless menus. Very easy to navigate and use. Cheapest place to get it is on Amazon. I think it's around $460 or so.

 

[Denali_WA]

I just installed an Alpine 009X-GM head unit set up and i installed the GPS antenna under the dash where you have yours above. You need to take off the drivers side A-piller to prop open enough of the dash to hide the antenna and wire in. As for the microphone, on my last Pioneer deck i installed the microphone on the steering column behind the steering wheel. It works best there in my opinion. Dulls out any wind/ road noise.

 

[CM Burns]

Looks really good, I am about to put my Pioneer 4700 in my '14 Tahoe. I am about to order my harness, I've had the truck a week now, and thats about enough of the factory radio/non-bluetooth I can stand.
Does it sound good? Did you notice anything different, lower volume output, door chime, fader not available etc? I know that some people experience this with the PAC harnesses, and I was curious how the Axxess worked for you, because I want to order what works. The PAC in my '05 Denali made the sound a hair more quiet, and had a low speaker feedback (like when you turn the volume up loud and hit pause) at the time, the shop blamed it on the Bose harness.. I'm doing some of what you did minus the onstar...

Thanks

 

[Denali_WA]

Looks really good, I am about to put my Pioneer 4700 in my '14 Tahoe. I am about to order my harness, I've had the truck a week now, and thats about enough of the factory radio/non-bluetooth I can stand.
Does it sound good? Did you notice anything different, lower volume output, door chime, fader not available etc? I know that some people experience this with the PAC harnesses, and I was curious how the Axxess worked for you, because I want to order what works. The PAC in my '05 Denali made the sound a hair more quiet, and had a low speaker feedback (like when you turn the volume up loud and hit pause) at the time, the shop blamed it on the Bose harness.. I'm doing some of what you did minus the onstar...

Thanks

I had the same issue with my old PAC. I would recommend using the iDatalink Maestro Module. Its easier to flash and you can retain 90+% of your factory options if you want.