New head unit with Bose

[hoss08]

I am looking to replace my factory head unit with a double DIN style touch screen unit. My Escalade has the factory Bose sound system. I had a Camaro back in high school that also had Bose. I remember everyone telling me I couldn't change the head unit out, or any part of the system for that matter because I would have to rewire the entire system because Bose runs off 1 ohm. Is that still the case with the Escalade? My truck didn't come with factory GPS so I would like to replace it with a nice Alpine DVD/GPS setup.

 

[Mr. 960]

it is a 2ohm load. What year Escalade? You will need to buy several adaptors to retain steering wheel controls, Chimes/RAP and the On Star if you want to keep the hands free phone.

 

[hoss08]

Its an 04, Id like to keep steering wheel controls, don't really care about keeping On Star. Not sure if I have the hands free phone setup, I guess ill have to look in the owners manual to see if I have that option.

 

[Chiggy]

You're just going to need a few adapters. Your truck has a factory amp and that's what the new head unit will be running to so ohms won't matter. Get the steering wheel control and onstar adapters so your chimes and everything still work. No sense in half-assing it. With my Alpine I needed one of those bypass things that tricks the head unit into thinking the truck is in park.

 

[hoss08]

I checked into the adapters, looks like I can get them all in a "kit" for about $100. Ill deffinately have to look at getting the bypass for "park" mode. Never knew they made one for that. I had a double DIN DVD put in my GTO a couple years ago and the installer never mentioned needing one when I told him I wanted it to work even in gear, but that was a 6 speed so maybe I didn't need one with a manual.

 

[Chiggy]

Some of them just need a certain wire grounded. The one I got didn't work like that. It wanted me to hook up these two orange wires to something. I couldn't get it to work and I'm a mechanic. The bypass was like $8 on Amazon. just search for them, they're sold by what brand your radio is and the size of a quarter, easy to install too.

 

[scoobyxj]

Make sure you check which Bose system you have. Lux, or standard. I'm betting since it's an Esky you have the LUX system. The two are controlled totally different, and take different adaptors.

 

[rocketvette95]

I have a Kenwood DNX-6160 that is like new if you might be interested just let me know

http://asheville.craigslist.org/ele/4883985899.html

 

[Wake]

The easiest option would be putting a factory nav in. No interfaces needed, plug and play. Only a Tech2 to program the VIN re-learn for the theft deterrent system and a $20 eBay GPS antenna to mount under the dash cover. The dealer should be able to reset the theft lock for around $100 if you don't have access to a Tech 2 as long as you can prove you acquired the factory nav unit legally (receipt, bill of sale, etc).

I've seen the factory GPS units on ebay as low as $200.

I've done this on two GMs that didn't come with factory nav.

 

[Brake_L8]

You'll have the Lux amp. I just did this on my Denali which also has Bose.

I bought a Pioneer NEX-5000, factory refurb, from Sonic Electronix. Absolutely love it so far. They threw in a Scoshe dash kit for $Free.

My Denali has rear-seat entertainment, which I wanted to keep if possible, as the Pioneer head unit supports it. I found the right adapter and the entire install was truly plug and play. I got the PAC RP5-GM11 from Amazon for about $100. It was the only adapter I needed, and ties in to both the audio wiring and the body wiring. That means if your new H/U supports a backup camera, the PAC box will send the right signal when you put the truck in reverse, and the H/U will go to the right input. It will send the speed signal for navigation. Things like that.

The PAC box supports steering wheel controls, RSE, OnStar, backup cameras, and includes a "chime module" that you may or may not need. My truck would chime with no radio installed so I didn't need to install the separate module. I had Bose audio and the TNR touchscreen nav. PAC says to turn the key to "run" with the radio pulled, and see if the truck chimes. If it does, don't install the module.

They make it very easy to install, all I had to solder was the 12ish wires from the Pioneer harness to the one PAC harness. Then, I just plugged things in where the PAC box was labeled (the box supports "Amplified" - aka Bose - and "Non Amplified" systems alike).

Pix of the new H/U - love it so far. Was $499 from Sonic.