03 yukon xl denali subwoofer/head unit questions

[Timc9516]

I have a 2003 yukon xl denali with factory bose system (according to the door panels)

My questions are

1) How can i find out if i have a factory subwoofer? I know its not in the rear. But i dont know what the box looks like for under the console

2) If i dont have a factory sub i want to add one. Preferably in the rear behind the panel (simply because ease of installation). Did they make a box for the yukon xl? Everything ive found says its for the short wheelbase vehicles

3) How would i wire it into the factory amp? Would i be better off going with a aftermarket amp?

4) Do most after market double din head units fit or do i need to know a specific depth?

5) I know the truck has on star but if it does have the factory bose system can i use the kit that only retains steering wheel controls and bose or do i have to use the kit that retains bose, onstar, and steering wheel controls

6) If i dont have to use the kit that retains onstar does anyone know if its possible to use the factory onstar microphone for a after market double din radio

7) What do most people do with the 6 disc cd changer after replacing the head unit? Ill never use it so do they make a storage insert or a cap for the hole?

8) Last but not least. (Ik its not really gm truck specific) does anyone have any recommendations for double din radios. my biggest requirements are 1)android auto(also do they make one that does android auto wirelessly) 2) color changeable buttons(i will definitely give this up for a wireless android auto option)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Timc9516]

I do want to add. That i found a kit that will let me customize my steering controls which i would really like. So do they make a kit that will only retain the bose system

 

[Doubeleive]

onstar is optional, you can leave it, you can unplug it, or you can unplug it and yank it out if you wanted to so even if the kit you buy retains onstar you don't have to use that part.
both pioneer and kenwood make wireless android/car play decks
the bose sub is in the center console if not in the rear drivers kick panel

 

[Timc9516]

Do you happen to have a picture of the factory bose center console enclosure so i know what im looking for. Or is there a way to look it up by vin

 

[Rocket Man]

Do you happen to have a picture of the factory bose center console enclosure so i know what im looking for. Or is there a way to look it up by vin

I believe if you pull your cup holder out you can see it. The sub fires forward I believe and the amp is right there too. To replace either you need to pull the seats, then the console.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...ient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#imgrc=tNHCNAr8yke3XM:

 

[rgosart]

I have a 2003 yukon xl denali with factory bose system (according to the door panels)

My questions are

1) How can i find out if i have a factory subwoofer? I know its not in the rear. But i dont know what the box looks like for under the console
I believe that all trucks with Bose had the subwoofer. 2003+ were located in the console.

2) If i dont have a factory sub i want to add one. Preferably in the rear behind the panel (simply because ease of installation). Did they make a box for the yukon xl? Everything ive found says its for the short wheelbase vehicles
The enclosures exist for the 2000-2002 Yukon XLs and Suburbans. I don't see any reason they wouldn't fit your truck, but I am not 100% sure.

3) How would i wire it into the factory amp? Would i be better off going with a aftermarket amp?
I know a bypass plug exists for the Bose systems. I am not sure how you would keep it. Bose speakers are a strange impedance. If you plan to replace speakers, you will need an aftermarket amp.

4) Do most after market double din head units fit or do i need to know a specific depth?
Yes. Most fit. There is a support bar at the back of the stereo pocket which can make it difficult to tuck all of the wiring in, but it is possible. I think some people have cut this bar out. I did not.

5) I know the truck has on star but if it does have the factory bose system can i use the kit that only retains steering wheel controls and bose or do i have to use the kit that retains bose, onstar, and steering wheel controls
If you want to keep your chimes, that module retains OnStar as well. Remember that chimes come from the factory radio.

6) If i dont have to use the kit that retains onstar does anyone know if its possible to use the factory onstar microphone for a after market double din radio
I have not seen a thread for this. If it is possible, I would be interested. As an alternative option, you could just put the aftermarket microphone in that location. The factory OnStar mic just clips to the map light console.

7) What do most people do with the 6 disc cd changer after replacing the head unit? Ill never use it so do they make a storage insert or a cap for the hole?
My friend with a Sierra Denali had a pocket 3D printed for this hole based on the dimensions of his CD changer. Works great! You may also want to do something with the rear seat entertainment on the back of your console. There is no way (that I know of) to retain this option with an aftermarket radio.

8) Last but not least. (Ik its not really gm truck specific) does anyone have any recommendations for double din radios. my biggest requirements are 1)android auto(also do they make one that does android auto wirelessly) 2) color changeable buttons(i will definitely give this up for a wireless android auto option)
I bought a Kenwood DMX906S with wireless apple car play and wireless android auto. I love it so far. It also allows you to change the color of the buttons. The DDX8906S is the same radio with a DVD drive if you want to watch DVDs or play CDs. I haven't used a CD player in years, so I got the multimedia unit without the DVD drive.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

See answers in bold. Here are a couple pictures of my radio install. I also added two wireless charging pads to the bottom of the lower pocket in my console. This allows me to do everything wirelessly. I took apart a couple of fast charge pads and hot glued the internals to the bottom of the pocket. It is wired to the cigarette lighter circuit through a quick charge USB outlet. A couple people have asked me to take pictures of it. I need to do that... The USB inputs from the radio run to a double USB outlet which replaces the right side 12V outlet. I rarely use anything that requires a 12V outlet, but I did not want to get rid of both of them.

 

[PutUpYourDux]

See answers in bold. Here are a couple pictures of my radio install. I also added two wireless charging pads to the bottom of the lower pocket in my console. This allows me to do everything wirelessly. I took apart a couple of fast charge pads and hot glued the internals to the bottom of the pocket. It is wired to the cigarette lighter circuit through a quick charge USB outlet. A couple people have asked me to take pictures of it. I need to do that...

Hey man. Awesome info, and sick setup! I have been looking at head unit options for a while, and I am leaning towards the Kenwood DMX907S, which I see is essentially the same unit you've got, just one year newer I believe. I really dig the look of yours and the functionality you described, with the wireless charging and sleeper install of the USB inputs. Would you mind taking some photos of the construction of your wireless charging setup, with the fast charge pad internals hot glued to the bottom of your front console pocket? Also, what did you mean by "it is wired to the cigarette lighter circuit through a quick charge USB outlet?" All of the fast charge pads I have seen have a micro USB attachment. Did you mean you somehow hardwired the charge pad internals to the cigarette lighting harness in order to bypass the micro USB attachment such that the coils are always be ready to charge? Seems like that would be the way to do it, since it would suck if one of the micro USB cables ever disconnected from vibrations lol. I would love do to this same thing! I have an '01, so my pocket geometry is a little different (replaced the tape deck with a junkyard pocket, but the pocket has a lip) and I'll have to investigate whether the phone would be able to sit flat, but I'm betting I can make it work somehow.

The USB inputs from the radio run to a double USB outlet which replaces the right side 12V outlet. I rarely use anything that requires a 12V outlet, but I did not want to get rid of both of them.

Also, what did you mean by this? I know that the USB inputs for the head unit terminate in 2 separate female USB ports. Those ports are pretty bulky from what I've seen in the past. How did you cram two of those into one 12V outlet? I would also love to copy this idea lol. Since I have an '01 I've got the flip up cover over the open 12V ports instead of the two ports beside the pocket. I also rarely use anything that needs 12V, so I suppose I could just use two of the open ports (I think there are 3 total), but I'm still curious how you did yours. Did you buy some sort of 12V outlet plug and cut it to fit the USBs? Or maybe there is a factory piece for a newer vehicle you used? All ears!

 

[rgosart]

Hey man. Awesome info, and sick setup! I have been looking at head unit options for a while, and I am leaning towards the Kenwood DMX907S, which I see is essentially the same unit you've got, just one year newer I believe. I really dig the look of yours and the functionality you described, with the wireless charging and sleeper install of the USB inputs. Would you mind taking some photos of the construction of your wireless charging setup, with the fast charge pad internals hot glued to the bottom of your front console pocket? Also, what did you mean by "it is wired to the cigarette lighter circuit through a quick charge USB outlet?" All of the fast charge pads I have seen have a micro USB attachment. Did you mean you somehow hardwired the charge pad internals to the cigarette lighting harness in order to bypass the micro USB attachment such that the coils are always be ready to charge? Seems like that would be the way to do it, since it would suck if one of the micro USB cables ever disconnected from vibrations lol. I would love do to this same thing! I have an '01, so my pocket geometry is a little different (replaced the tape deck with a junkyard pocket, but the pocket has a lip) and I'll have to investigate whether the phone would be able to sit flat, but I'm betting I can make it work somehow.

Also, what did you mean by this? I know that the USB inputs for the head unit terminate in 2 separate female USB ports. Those ports are pretty bulky from what I've seen in the past. How did you cram two of those into one 12V outlet? I would also love to copy this idea lol. Since I have an '01 I've got the flip up cover over the open 12V ports instead of the two ports beside the pocket. I also rarely use anything that needs 12V, so I suppose I could just use two of the open ports (I think there are 3 total), but I'm still curious how you did yours. Did you buy some sort of 12V outlet plug and cut it to fit the USBs? Or maybe there is a factory piece for a newer vehicle you used? All ears!

I used the cigarette lighter wiring for the outlet I removed to power the USB outlet. The pads still use the standard usb cables to power them. No issues in 3 months. If I have it apart any time soon I will take pictures but all I did was take the charging pads apart and hot glue the guts to the bottom of the pocket. Make sure to measure it all before you glue the pads on so that your phone sits centered over the pad. This is similar to the USB outlet I used.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Wate...6&sr=1-1-f7123c3d-6c2e-4dbe-9d7a-6185fb77bc58

Remove the 12V outlet and install this

https://www.amazon.com/ICESPRING-Fe...d=1600021832&sprefix=dual+usb+,aps,167&sr=8-3


This was before I put the center console in, but you get the idea.

 

[PutUpYourDux]

I used the cigarette lighter wiring for the outlet I removed to power the USB outlet. The pads still use the standard usb cables to power them. No issues in 3 months. If I have it apart any time soon I will take pictures but all I did was take the charging pads apart and hot glue the guts to the bottom of the pocket. Make sure to measure it all before you glue the pads on so that your phone sits centered over the pad. This is similar to the USB outlet I used.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Wate...6&sr=1-1-f7123c3d-6c2e-4dbe-9d7a-6185fb77bc58

Thanks for the response, man! Just to be sure I understand, is the first USB outlet you linked glued/hidden from view with the rest of the wireless charger guts? So you just connected the unused 12V power and ground wires to the USB outlet, plugged the 2 sets of charger guts into the USB outlet, glued the guts to the bottom of the pocket, and secured all of it out of sight?

Remove the 12V outlet and install this

https://www.amazon.com/ICESPRING-Female-Extension-Motorcycle-Dashboard/dp/B01MY1WDIU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2OL7TJDRK5399&dchild=1&keywords=dual+usb+car+port&qid=1600021832&sprefix=dual+usb+,aps,167&sr=8-3

Ah, yep that makes sense now. Thanks man. I will definitely be using this same approach and part.

View attachment 257492

This was before I put the center console in, but you get the idea.

Did you change consoles? Looks like it based on your previous photos compared to this new photo. I like your style of front console (one posted in your original photos) since the pocket looks wider and completely flat whereas mine is narrower and has a lip. I tried placing my phone in it earlier today to see how it might work, and it doesn't sit completely flat due to the lip. I'm not sure how I would make it work without cutting/filing the lip off. I don't really want to do that. I suppose I could swap consoles (after I just got this one too after having none since I picked up the truck last year...). I believe I read though that changing to your style of console requires changing more than just the center and front consoles, since I believe your style of front console wraps into the passenger foot well somehow. Also, I'm not sure, but I think if I were to bite the bullet and change to your style of front console, I would also have to change center consoles as well. Hmm, maybe it isn't worth it. I do really like the idea though. I have had 2 phones now fail only because the charger port stopped consistently charging after several years of plugging and unplugging a charger day after day.

 

[rgosart]

Thanks for the response, man! Just to be sure I understand, is the first USB outlet you linked glued/hidden from view with the rest of the wireless charger guts? So you just connected the unused 12V power and ground wires to the USB outlet, plugged the 2 sets of charger guts into the USB outlet, glued the guts to the bottom of the pocket, and secured all of it out of sight?

Ah, yep that makes sense now. Thanks man. I will definitely be using this same approach and part.

Did you change consoles? Looks like it based on your previous photos compared to this new photo. I like your style of front console (one posted in your original photos) since the pocket looks wider and completely flat whereas mine is narrower and has a lip. I tried placing my phone in it earlier today to see how it might work, and it doesn't sit completely flat due to the lip. I'm not sure how I would make it work without cutting/filing the lip off. I don't really want to do that. I suppose I could swap consoles (after I just got this one too after having none since I picked up the truck last year...). I believe I read though that changing to your style of console requires changing more than just the center and front consoles, since I believe your style of front console wraps into the passenger foot well somehow. Also, I'm not sure, but I think if I were to bite the bullet and change to your style of front console, I would also have to change center consoles as well. Hmm, maybe it isn't worth it. I do really like the idea though. I have had 2 phones now fail only because the charger port stopped consistently charging after several years of plugging and unplugging a charger day after day.

1. Yes that is correct. It is all hidden underneath the console you see in the picture I posted earlier in the thread.
3. I changed from the center fold up seat to the console. My Tahoe is an 05 so it bolts right in. I am not sure if the 03+ console will fit in 00-02 trucks because the dash is different. I had to change the console and glovebox panel. The console is all one piece, not separate like you are talking about with the front and center consoles.



It is important that the phone sits flat. any extra space between the charger and the phone will likely cause problems. The chargers already have to work through the pocket and a case on your phone if you have one.