Upgrading a 2009 Denali Nav HU to 2012 HU

[DCYukon]

I did search and found a lot about the process of taking the 2007+ navigation head unit and swapping it with the newer hard drive based 2012 version, including links to videos of it being done and the results look awesome. (I know there is a similar thread in this section but it is more of a "get in touch with a guy to buy parts for this" thread and I didn't want to thread-jack)

My only questions are for those that have already done this:

1) is the XM radio and NavTraffic ESN with the Head Unit (HU) or separate module? Just trying to figure out if I will need to have my subscriptions moved to the newer unit or have to replace older XM parts with newer XM parts to make everything work. My current setup has 2 ESNs, 1 for audio and 1 for traffic/data.

2) with regards to OnStar, one of my favorite features is the ability for the OnStar operator to send a destination to my NAV (not gauge cluster turn by turn, but the in-dash nav itself) while driving so that I don't have to pull over to edit destination settings. Is this possible after this retrofit or will I need some newer OnStar parts to make it all work?

3) everything I have seen and read demonstrates that with a adapter harness to allow for all the connections, everything is plug and play, but I haven't seen anyone demo the Rear Entertainment System setup. Does that work as well or will I need to get creative with that?

Thanks in advance as there aren't that many people willing to shell out +1500$ for an upgrade like this, but I would pay that much just to never hear the nav disc spin up an down the entire time I am behind the wheel again, and these are questions the dealer isn't much help with.

 

[Rywith22]

Great post, I have similar questions as well....

 

[fiatdale]

Look at my post in this section entitled 2012 nav in 2007. All the info you need is there.

 

[DCYukon]

Look at my post in this section entitled 2012 nav in 2007. All the info you need is there.

Thanks for your response, I noted your post but you had an 07 which doesn't have the factory NavTraffic option (09+) and you didn't mention the Rear Entertainment System and stated you had your OnStar disconnected. Those are the items I am asking about and still need info on.

 

[fiatdale]

The 2012 unit has the Sirius/XM unit internal, so it has a new ESN. CPS audio proves an adapter harness for this to work with your factory XM antenna.

Onstar I cant comment on becuase I do not use it.

RSE works perfectly with the harness he provides. The way everything ties in, from what I have seen, works just as if it came from the factory that way. Even in a 2007.

 

[DCYukon]

The 2012 unit has the Sirius/XM unit internal, so it has a new ESN. CPS audio proves an adapter harness for this to work with your factory XM antenna.

Onstar I cant comment on becuase I do not use it.

RSE works perfectly with the harness he provides. The way everything ties in, from what I have seen, works just as if it came from the factory that way. Even in a 2007.

Thanks, called CPS and they said it was all a matter of programming to have onstar work as it did with old head unit and I pulled the trigger. Should have my setup in hand next week.

 

[Rywith22]

Where are you guys located? I'm in South Florida (West Palm). If I order these things, I have an 07 LTZ, will I do the install or will I have to bring it someone to do it??

Currently, with my OnStar they can't send the directions to my NAV, they speak them and I have to play them back through the speakers. That's actually pretty stupid, so I really have no need for OnStar, but would upgrading to this new HU give them the ability to send the address directly to the NAV system??

 

[fiatdale]

Install is extremely simple. Would take anyone less than an hour start to finish. Simple tools needed, nothing crazy.

DCYukon may be able to chime in once he receives his on the OnStar issue as I do not use it.

 

[Rywith22]

If the OnStar wouldn't work for what I want then I would be skipping out on it as well, but if so it would be nice. Not a make or break thing at all. Thanks for the update, I'm pretty handy so I'm not worried about the install I was more worried about any programming or weird off shoot things of that nature I might need to do.

One last thing, Fiat. Does the color being off, really look bad at all?? Yours is an 07, right?? Can you post a close up pic? That one on the other thread doesn't really look off at all but it's not too close up or anything.

Thanks again and hopefully DCYukon chimes back in when he gets his.

 

[jplong]

The hardest part about the head unit install is removing the trim piece without breaking it. For such a small piece of plastic it takes a ton of force to pull it off. One can easily snap it, especially the bottom clip. I would suggest that you DON'T use a screwdriver as it will put the force on a pinpoint area. I used a 2" putty knife to pry it out.

beyond that the connectors are all coded and will only go one way. Pretty easy.

 

[DCYukon]

I will report back on the install once I get mine in. As for OnStar, mine 2009 had that option so it may be an onstar hardware thing as that is a separate module. I am going to see about upgrading my onstar to 2013 level modules to get the remote app features.

 

[Rywith22]

The hardest part about the head unit install is removing the trim piece without breaking it. For such a small piece of plastic it takes a ton of force to pull it off. One can easily snap it, especially the bottom clip. I would suggest that you DON'T use a screwdriver as it will put the force on a pinpoint area. I used a 2" putty knife to pry it out.

beyond that the connectors are all coded and will only go one way. Pretty easy.

Thanks for the heads up, I've actually removed it already once to see if my radio had the usb in the back. I used a suction cup and it worked great. As long as the connectors are color coded, I think even I couldn't screw it up.

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

I will report back on the install once I get mine in. As for OnStar, mine 2009 had that option so it may be an onstar hardware thing as that is a separate module. I am going to see about upgrading my onstar to 2013 level modules to get the remote app features.

Great, I can't wait to hear back. Good luck....

 

[blkonblk]

Is it possible someone with the new disc dvd 2012 can burn it and upload it somewhere for us. My 2008 nav sucks balls and directions are just horrible. it would be great if i could update it.

 

[blkonblk]

Does anyone have the part number for the new nav?

 

[DCYukon]

That is an aftermarket system pictured:

http://specializedcaraudioinc.com/?page_id=554

Here is the Part # for the most recent OEM GM model I am aware of:

http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-radio-22997866.html

---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 PM ----------

when you buy the NAV/Map DVD disc they ask for your VIN and it only works for that VIN, so for newer discs you would not be able to use someone else's upgrade...so a burned or uploaded copy wouldn't do you any good.

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------

Got all my toys wrapped meticulously in bubble and clear wrap from CPS just now. I will do a write up and post separately so that it won't be a the bottom of this post. To be continued.

 

[blkonblk]

cant wait to see your set up it will look nice

im currently using a burned copy that i got online. its a newer update than what i had just not the latest. If you dont mind and when you have some time, if you can burn yours and upload it somewhere it would be GREATLY appreciated and you would do a lotttt of us a big favor.

 

[blkonblk]

where are the pics of the new system???? stop teasing us

 

[felixgun]

That is an aftermarket system pictured:

http://specializedcaraudioinc.com/?page_id=554

Here is the Part # for the most recent OEM GM model I am aware of:

http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-radio-22997866.html

---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 PM ----------

when you buy the NAV/Map DVD disc they ask for your VIN and it only works for that VIN, so for newer discs you would not be able to use someone else's upgrade...so a burned or uploaded copy wouldn't do you any good.

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------

Got all my toys wrapped meticulously in bubble and clear wrap from CPS just now. I will do a write up and post separately so that it won't be a the bottom of this post. To be continued.

False. It works on all gmt900 tahoes yukons avalanches and suburbans. Both a burned and uploaded copy would work. I have both an oem 2012 disc and a burned disc. Both work the same. I'm actually using the burnt one now to preserve the original copy.

 

[DCYukon]

This must be true of newer systems then as I have the 2012 head unit and it had to be encoded, I never got my hands on the disc for the DVD based Nav so that may be different, but for 2012-13 Nav units you have to give a VIN and it will only work with that VIN.

 

[DCYukon]

Started the install

Got to work on the system upgrade today and hit some snags. All the things I was worried about were fine (XM radio-traffic-weather worked great, OnStar downloading an address while driving without issue, Rear Entertainment System functions worked great), but the backup camera isn't showing the video from the back and the nav isn't showing any action from moving (never showing progress while driving to a destination) and the position cursor stays at the origin.

It is the middle of a holiday and am confident the boys at CPS will have quick answers to fix these items, but am currently leaving it sort of done and once fixed will start the writeup. (I took pictures as I did it but will have to go back and type up notes for a separate post).

On a humor note, the XM customer service were a little puzzled that the radio ID I was giving them to swap over was not in a 2013 Chevy Avalanche as their records showed and was in my 2009 Yukon Denali. I was passed around to a few techs before I got one that understood I was playing musical chairs with OEM radios and to just make it noted that this 2013 radio was in a 2009 truck. I think he got it straight and my account looks right when I sign in via the web.