What all is needed to swap the stock headunit out with an aftermarket?? I heard I need a special kind of installation kit that has something to do with the door chime with the new trucks. I have a 03 chevy with the regular CD/tape player. Not the bose system!!! Thanks for any input!!

Mike

 

i heard that it is a bit more challenging changing the headunit out of the 03's. not sure though. i'm sure 03 owners will chime in here.

for my 99, it is pretty easy. put truck in 1st gear so you can get the dash trim off. it is held in there with retaining clips. the factory radio should pull out (may have to press some clips). disconnect harness from back of stereo. need to buy a GM wiring harness, antenna adaptor, and a GM stereo mounting kit to take up the gap that is left in the dash.

 

does it have the rds in the stero.if so you will have to get an adapter so you can remove the factory H.U.if not you will have to relocate you old one in the truck plus the new one.the reason ois cause that h.u has something to do with the engine diagnostics read out.some one that knowa more will chime in but that is the majority

 

Yeah it has the RDS **** on it. Thanks for the replys ya'll!! Keep'm comin!!

 

what is this rds stuff?

 

RDS is the new stereo ****, it doesn't doanyhting with engine diagnostics, but it does run all the chimes for lights on, truck starting, key in ign. with door open and such, so it is possible to remove the factory radio totally, you just won't retain the chimes. The harness for the regular and the RDS radios are the same except the RDS one is like 25 bux more, and has 3 extra wires and a plug that runs to your stock radio wherever you choose to hide it in the truck. My S10 had the RDS, and my new Sierra doesn't, so since i already had the harness hooked up to my Pioneer, i just chopped the add on pigtail for the RDS, and all work as usual. On another wondeful side note, the newer cars radios do not use 12v power, so you will have to run a wire to a 12v source for you aftermarket radio to work, just try to find a 12v that stays on until you open the door, or you will lose the radio power as soon as you turn off the truck.

 

so it has nothing to do wit diagnostics.are you sure cause a few said it did.so i won't need a harness if i don't care about the chimes.

 

It is a lot easier to use an interface unit to install a aftermarket radio than not using one. I have used two different brands and have not had a problem with either of them. I know of three brands off the top of my head. Metra, Pac, and Peripheral. Do some research on them. They make the install easy and let you retain the factory RAP. Here is a discription of one of them.

Chime and Data-bus Integration Module for select late model (2000-2004) GM vehicles with Class-2 radios (i.e. Cavalier, Impala, Malibu, etc.) without OnStar® or Premium BOSE® sound system.
The GMCO is the perfect solution for any GM vehicle without OnStar® that utilizes Class-2 commands to produce seatbelt, key in ignition or headlight warning chimes.
•Decodes chime signal commands on the Class-2 data-bus and supplies the appropriate warning tone from it’s built-in speaker such as; door ajar, seat belt, low oil pressure, hi-temp., low fuel, etc...
•Generates 12-volt accessory output & retains RAP function.
•Uses genuine Delphi chip for seemless integration.
•Provides “Healthy Status” report to the Class-2 system.

NOTE: Does not retain OnStar®, is not compatible with PREMIUM BOSE® sound system, but is compatible with Standard BOSE® sound systems.

 

i was lookin at the metra harness.thanks. so now everybody is happy. later John

 

I got my stuff from these guys.
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has adapters for just about evrything.