Recommendations for aftermarket stereo and harness

[JoeBoxer1130]

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
I’d like recommendations for a wiring harness. I wanna install a double din Pioneer stereo, but I don’t know which harness to get.
My current setup has the original factory stereo with a DVD screen in the center for the kids in the back.
Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Fless]

Hit www.crutchfield.com, enter your vehicle info and select a radio that is similar to what you're getting (or just buy it at Crutchfield), then look at the Car Stereo Installation Parts, and it will give you several options, depending on what compatibility you want. To see what's in each package, on your screen click on the item I've circled in the pic below (your selections may vary from what's shown below).

 

[Doubeleive]

I wouldn't pay that much for a adapter (on gmt800 anyway), just get the one at walmart that supports bose and a steering wheel button adapter (if equipped) should be around $45 for the metra w/bose/rap/chimes, the steering wheel button adapter can be found for about $25 online if you shop around like ebay/amazon
you will need a separate adapter for RSE that is usually pretty cheap also maybe $20-25.
still under $100, you can save even more if you are not in a hurry and just buy open box or even a complete used one on ebay
buy hey it's not my money.....

 

[homesick]

You could go to a local car audio shop and see if they'll sell you the pieces they use.

joe

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I support the Crutchfield recommendation. For me, having one interface unit that is proven to do everything in one plug and play installation is a more efficient use of my time, than to try to source multiple components, hoping that they all play nice together.

 

[Doubeleive]

You could go to a local car audio shop and see if they'll sell you the pieces they use.

joe

with a markup.......

 

[Fless]

I wouldn't pay that much for a adapter (on gmt800 anyway), just get the one at walmart that supports bose and a steering wheel button adapter (if equipped) should be around $45 for the metra w/bose/rap/chimes, the steering wheel button adapter can be found for about $25 online if you shop around like ebay/amazon
you will need a separate adapter for RSE that is usually pretty cheap also maybe $20-25.
still under $100, you can save even more if you are not in a hurry and just buy open box or even a complete used one on ebay
buy hey it's not my money.....

Understood. But those offerings are the whole package - antenna adapter, dash adapter kit and trim piece if needed, Master Sheet with install instructions for your vehicle. Yes, you can piece together what you'll need, but I think if bought separately they'd cost more than the Crutchfield price. And you benefit from their research where they give you options on what you want to retain as far as features vs. price point.

 

[Doubeleive]

I support the Crutchfield recommendation. For me, having one interface unit that is proven to do everything in one plug and play installation is a more efficient use of my time, than to try to source multiple components, hoping that they all play nice together.

well the rse is a separate function and is dependent upon the head unit to support it, so the brand being different doesn't matter, same with the steering wheel button control. It is a separate part that must be supported by the head unit. That's why you can slap a $15 adapter in there and the radio will work regardless, you just wont have rap, rse or steering wheel buttons.
the ones that are offered from crutchfield is not all in one, it is simply a pre built "3 piece kit" at extra cost.
yes it is convenient if you want to pay extra and not have to connect wires to wires.
the gm headunit just had it all built in.
it's also why you can just a slap a single din in there and call it day if you wanted to.
there is no "all-in-one" adapter out there, unless it is something a company created in the last few months.
i'm just poor, so I offer the poor mans solution. lol

 

[Fless]

well the rse is a separate function and is dependent upon the head unit to support it, so the brand being different doesn't matter, same with the steering wheel button control. It is a separate part that must be supported by the head unit. That's why you can slap a $15 adapter in there and the radio will work regardless, you just wont have rap, rse or steering wheel buttons.
the ones that are offered from crutchfield is not all in one, it is simply a pre built "3 piece kit" at extra cost.
yes it is convenient if you want to pay extra and not have to connect wires to wires.
the gm headunit just had it all built in.
it's also why you can just a slap a single din in there and call it day if you wanted to.
there is no "all-in-one" adapter out there, unless it is something a company created in the last few months.
i'm just poor, so I offer the poor mans solution. lol

True. But if this is a vehicle that I am going to keep for a long time, I want to retain most -- if not all -- of the functions that I've been used to. And the price difference if prorated over several years is negligible.

Note that the Crutchfield service for soldering the harness is a separate option and charge, and I always do my own connections.

 

[homesick]

with a markup.......

Really? Like they don't mark them up if they install them? There's nothing wrong with a profit.

It's still one-stop shopping, with the knowledge that the parts'll work together.

joe

 

[Doubeleive]

Understood. But those offerings are the whole package - antenna adapter, dash adapter kit and trim piece if needed, Master Sheet with install instructions for your vehicle. Yes, you can piece together what you'll need, but I think if bought separately they'd cost more than the Crutchfield price. And you benefit from their research where they give you options on what you want to retain as far as features vs. price point.

by dash adapter I assume you mean the mounting kit?
this all you need, I think any rse on a gmt800 is a separate unit like a rear dvd player, in which case you would need to run wires regardless.
the crux supports bose and has swc control integrated, chime, rap. it does not support onstar which is now defunkt anyway
so $110 plus tax and if you are poor like me you can order it 1 piece at time

 

[Doubeleive]

Really? Like they don't mark them up if they install them? There's nothing wrong with a profit.

It's still one-stop shopping, with the knowledge that the parts'll work together.

joe

i'm just poor disregard,,,,, installers charge a lot I tried to avoid whenever possible

 

[Doubeleive]

being poor and wanting to save money and learn how to do certain things myself is what brought me to this forum to begin with....
I have shared what I have learned from my own experiences as well.

 

[Fless]

being poor and wanting to save money and learn how to do certain things myself is what brought me to this forum to begin with....
I have shared what I have learned from my own experiences as well.

And we thank you for your shared experiences and insights; they're helpful to many of us here. Each of us has choices, and variety is the spice of life.

 

[Doubeleive]

Crutchfield is great to find the part numbers I need, then I find them cheaper somewhere else. that's just me....
just like rockauto is a great place to find part numbers and cross over years it's a like a online almanac, they just happen to have pretty good prices also.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

And we thank you for your shared experiences and insights; they're helpful to many of us here. Each of us has choices, and variety is the spice of life.

X2 to @Doubeleive . You are certainly one of the most knowledgeable and respected members on this Forum.

 

[Doubeleive]

X2 to @Doubeleive . You are certainly one of the most knowledgeable and respected members on this Forum.

thanks but I wouldn't put that much faith in me lol, I can be dead wrong and I am part idiot which rears it's head from time to time.