After a year or so of trying to decide what to install in my truck I finally opted to go with the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS. Now I went about this a different way than most installs as I left the head unit in place to use as a navigation system (2003 Denali xl non touchscreen navigation). While it is not the best nav system to use I decided to keep it. What I did do was replace the factory remote 6 disc changer and modify the lower bezel to accept the double Din head unit.
I bought an additional center bezel piece and disassembled both of them then cut and attached them to each other for a more factory look. As far as wiring goes I ran a new fused power and fresh ground wire and grabbed a switched 12v from the passenger side kick panel. I hooked the speaker leads out of the new radio to the output side of the factory amp until I decide on new speakers and an amp to push them. It sounds at least as good as it did from the factory which I hope to improve in the near future with some aftermarket goodies.
Here is what I had done initially, a single din to gain a thumb drive.
And here is what I have now.
This route allowed me to keep the RSE, at least through the headphones with no adapters.
I bought an additional center bezel piece and disassembled both of them then cut and attached them to each other for a more factory look. As far as wiring goes I ran a new fused power and fresh ground wire and grabbed a switched 12v from the passenger side kick panel. I hooked the speaker leads out of the new radio to the output side of the factory amp until I decide on new speakers and an amp to push them. It sounds at least as good as it did from the factory which I hope to improve in the near future with some aftermarket goodies.
Here is what I had done initially, a single din to gain a thumb drive.
And here is what I have now.
This route allowed me to keep the RSE, at least through the headphones with no adapters.
