Head Unit Upgrade How Hard?

[Cherdos]

Hello everyone and thank you for taking time to read in advance. I was thinking of replacing the headunit in my 08 Yukon. It has the bose dvd package with rear drop down screen. I went to a local installer and he quoted me a price of $1400 for the kenwood 6.1 inch touchscreen no nav. I dont need nav I have my truste garmin unit for that. I really like Alpine equipment and priced out a alpine on crutchfield for a litlle under 1k. Now both prices the installer and crutchfield come with all the gadgets to keep my steering wheel controls and the on star function along with ipod and xm abilty.
Now the real question in all this is how hard of a install in this. I am good with home electroncis ie.. home theater systems and computers fixing them and putting them together so I do have a tech understanding and from the looks of everything it all looks like plug and play. But this will be the first tiime taking on a car audio project, and lets be honest it my baby. With crutchfields manuels and guides is this a task that I could undertake, or should I spend the extra 4 bills and let this guy do the install.

Again thanks for taking the time in reading and responding and enjoy the rest of your week.

 

[blueflamed03]

well get the HU you want, no need to buy all the other features you don't. But there is some involvement when installing one, and if you DO want it all to work like OEM. When in doubt, have it done by a professional. Those guys make it look seamless. One slip can cost you more, than what a good installer can do.

Good luck, and welcome to the site Jason!

 

[bryanfeelsgood]

Swapping the head unit isn't too tough. Although some of it is 'Plug & Play' there will be connections between your GMOS-LAN (or whichever box you chose to maintain OnStar functionality) and the wiring harness on your new HU.

As long as you take your time, follow the instructions, and make solid connections with your wiring, you'll be fine.

The trickiest part of my install was tapping the PAC SWI-PS (steering wheel control adapter) into the Body Control Module.

 

[sparky5309]

I would do some serious research into the options the radio supports. Remember it's not just a radio - it's basically a control system for everything electrical in your vehicle - and GM doesn't want you touching it! Onstar, DIC, XM, diagnostics, etc.. all wired into the radio and amp. When you order your wiring harness, make sure you get the right one. If you're good at installs - do it yourself - it's your baby, and you're going to take the time to do a good job - all the installer cares about is if it works. Shoulda seen how they hacked into my old pickup.

 

[bryanfeelsgood]

One thing I will say is that for my first install I was happy to have the guys at Crutchfield there to answer my questions. They'll also make sure you have the right harnesses, dash kits, etc.

 

[Cherdos]

Well I wanna thank you guys for the responses. I ended up having the Radio installed instead of doing it myself. I ended up going with the Kenwood DDX-616 Head Unit. Its a 6.1 inch touchscreen (non-Nav) built in bluetooth. I went with the sirius sat radio add-on and the complete audio and video ipod controls. I also had a rear camera installed. He got everything to work with the factory steering wheel controls,onstar and the rear drop down screen from the factory. I could not justify spending an additional 4 bills for nav when I allready have a garmin unit. If for some reason that dies or gets lost/stolen then I just can get the add on. Plus the guy that did the install for a few extra dollars bypassed the whole no video while in drive function.

Heres the specs on the HU
http://kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/Mobile_Video_n_Navigation/Mobile_Video/DDX616

Funny side note on this. I wanted to stay with XM cause I had a three year sub when I purchased the vehicle. He wasnt going to be able to get in a xm unit in time for the install so I went with the sirius instead. Now Its been over a year since the merger and I figured i could just transfer the remaining time over to the new unit. Well was I wrong. Even though they have mergered they still operate as 2 seperate units. I had to get a credit for the remaining time I had paid for on the Xm then had to call Sirius and set-up and whole new account with them. Was going to get another 3 year contract but for 100 more got the lifetime contract which is sweet dont have to worry about rate hikes or anything and all I have to do is pay 75 for any new radios I get.

Again thanks for the input in helped steer me down the right path and I am very happy with the results.

 

[Scotto2323]

You have bose without NAV?

 

[Cherdos]

Yea I had the single disk DVD non nav audio package with the Bose upgarde and rear seat screen.