Recommendations for a touch screen apple carplay head unit with backup camera function

Hi all, I have a 2003 Yukon XL, SLE. Very basic, no steering wheel controls, no on star, no bose system. I would like to add a head unit that I can use for navigation, apple carplay and add a backup camera to. I note that some things I read metion that a double din setup requires an expensive dash adpater panel (basically a whole new trim piece).

Anything I can get that avoids having to buy a new trim panel? Any recommendations on wiring harness adapters (including for the radio, antenna or extensions for USB)? Also any recommendations on mounting adapters?

I am looking to spend a couple hundred bucks in total, but let me know if that is realistic.

Thanks all!

Go to Crutchfield.com, enter your truck's data, and look through the available head units that meet your feature requirements and budget. Once you've selected a unit, call Crutchfield Support, and they will tell you what else you need to install with the correct bezel plate and wiring plug adapter, so that you will have a clean installation and not have to cut and splice wires yourself.

I posted what I got from Crutchfield in an earlier post.

Very happy with it!

Call them and they'll make sure you get what you need. Live humans, working in the USA!

I just installed a Sony XAV 6000 with an AudioVoxx backup camera, and new speakers all the way around. It’s great. The short depth of the double-DIN head unit does not require hacksaw-removal of the support bracket. Ran camera wires in thru driver side brake light, then past subwoofer and along door-floor boards. Head unit requires the Metra dash panel replacement. I’ll get a full post up shortly but wow, I now have Apple CarPlay and backup camera in 22 year old SUV!

Scott in AZ said:

I just installed a Sony XAV 6000 with an AudioVoxx backup camera, and new speakers all the way around. It’s great. The short depth of the double-DIN head unit does not require hacksaw-removal of the support bracket. Ran camera wires in thru driver side brake light, then past subwoofer and along door-floor boards. Head unit requires the Metra dash panel replacement. I’ll get a full post up shortly but wow, I now have Apple CarPlay and backup camera in 22 year old SUV!

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Nice!

Boss Audio Elite I got did not require any cutting inside the dash either.

Aside from purist restoration jobs, I still scratch my head on why anyone would not want to upgrade to a new head unit.

Safer with hands-free, camera and all the modern conveniences that make driving just THAT much more enjoyable.

MassHoe04 said:

Nice!

Boss Audio Elite I got did not require any cutting inside the dash either.

Aside from purist restoration jobs, I still scratch my head on why anyone would not want to upgrade to a new head unit.

Safer with hands-free, camera and all the modern conveniences that make driving just THAT much more enjoyable.

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Plus navigation with real-time traffic. And so much better sonics than FM radio, and no hassle with CDs. Replacing all the speakers was pretty easy. I used Memphis Audo PR275's in the rear pillar, Polk 6.5" Coaxials in the rear door, Genuine GM in front door (woofers only, like the snap in mounting, kept the original tweeters for now) and a Polk Single Voice Coil 4 Ohm 8" subwoofer. Subwoofer outer diameter was just a little too big. I had to mask the polypro cone and carefully grind about 1mm of the aluminum frame from the OD. Only took a few minutes on a Craftsman wheel grinder. I did not want to cut into the nice subwoofer box that is standard on the GMT 800 with factory sub / without Bose. Niftiest upgrade with removing the cassette player in the center console and replacing with a cubby compartment that holds a phone, sunglasses or wallet securely.

03yukXL said:

Hi all, I have a 2003 Yukon XL, SLE. Very basic, no steering wheel controls, no on star, no bose system. I would like to add a head unit that I can use for navigation, apple carplay and add a backup camera to. I note that some things I read metion that a double din setup requires an expensive dash adpater panel (basically a whole new trim piece).

Anything I can get that avoids having to buy a new trim panel? Any recommendations on wiring harness adapters (including for the radio, antenna or extensions for USB)? Also any recommendations on mounting adapters?

I am looking to spend a couple hundred bucks in total, but let me know if that is realistic.

Thanks all!

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I don’t think you need a dash trim panel. I’m not certain but I think the ‘99-02 (like mine) needs the Double-DIN trim adapter for about $130, from Metra. Pics below, they don’t look the same size but they are. OEM is nicer, two tone and heavier. I think the ‘03 came stock with Double-DIN and your trim panel will work fine. CRUTCHFIELD is a great resource for fit and installation information. Well worth the 2 days shipping and prices are very competitive, in my opinion. A new double-DIN head unit will cost $200-600. You will absolutely need the wiring harness adapter. On my Sony, I also had to wire in the included GPS antenna since Apple uses GPS to verify the car is stationary when synching each time it starts up, at least on my Sony. My recommendation is stay away from CD player, just stream off your phone. I love my CDs at home but they are a hassle in the car and I’m spoiled by using Siri voice to change music, apps, and volume. Finally, you almost certainly need to replace all your speakers. The OEM GM paper speakers are notorious for degrading after two decades. Mine were shot - zero foam surround remaining. But wow, the outcome was fantastic.

you don't need no dang dash panel all you have to do is cut the existing one, do it right and you will barely even see where it was cut.
if you go with a good double din like a pioneer or kenwood you will have to cut the metal bracket inside the dash where the old oem radio mounted to, it wont hurt anything to do that.

Doubeleive said:

you don't need no dang dash panel all you have to do is cut the existing one, do it right and you will barely even see where it was cut.
if you go with a good double din like a pioneer or kenwood you will have to cut the metal bracket inside the dash where the old oem radio mounted to, it wont hurt anything to do that.

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I agree that the original dash panel would work mostly fine. Cutting the top higher and then adding some McGyver trim on the sides it would probably not be noticeable. But you still need a DIN chassis bracket. Mine came with the new dash panel. The OEM 1.5-DIN bracket would not work on new Double-DIN radio.

Scott in AZ said:

I agree that the original dash panel would like mostly fine. With some McGyver trim on the sides it would probably not be noticeable. But you still need a DIN chassis bracket. Mine came with the new dash panel. The OEM 1.5-DIN bracket would not work on new Double-DIN radio.

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yes you need a radio mounting bracket, I cut the trim panel on my 00 and unless you were looking for a cut it wasn't even noticeable, ran flip-outs for a while before that but the shifter arm is always in the way