Stock Radio replacement on 02 Tahoe

[MDJR]

Hey all,

I have an 02 Tahoe with the factory sub, non-Bose system. I would like to buy a single DIN Alpine deck to replace the factory deck. I also have a separate amp and box I would like to add in addition to keeping everything else stock (factory amp, speakers etc). I have Onstar, which I know no longer works now but I don't want to mess with it if I don't have to. My question is, what adapters can I buy to plug and play if possible? I've changed about 5-6 decks now in a few other vehicles but none with factory amps... I know this presents a challenge and I would prefer to not have to cut any factory wiring if possible. Any input/tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JTahoeR]

I know to retain factory On-Star you need a kit by PAC it is their OS-1. Getting hard to find anymore, I got mine from Amazon. I ended up having to solder one of the wires from the PAC kit into my factory amp wire I believe it was pink if my memory serves me correctly. It's rather straight forward.

 

[01yukonslt]

if you dont care about onstar all you need is the basic gm plug for your year should be about 10 bucks and when you hook it up theres a smaller secondary harness coming off your factory radio it should have a pink wire you will need to splice into it and run your remote to it as well as another remote wire for your aftermarket amp.

 

[imi4tth3w]

honestly your better off powering the speakers from your head unit rather than the factory amp. a way to think about it is the wires in the back of the radio are technically "rca's" for the factory amp. which your hooking up to speaker wires.

there is a wiring harness that will bypass the factory amp. not sure if that's still available. but regardless, in order to connect directly to the speakers, you will have to run wires to the factory amp and tap into the harness there.

trash the factory sub. there are lots of aftermarket subs that will fit in that location on the cheap then purchase a small amp for it. will be 10x better. probably lots of write ups on here for it.

factory tahoe speakers pretty much suck. replace those too. 6.5" components up front and 6.5" coaxials in the rear.

i'm a big fan of alpine. eventually want to get some type r components/coaxials for mine in combination with the power pack that plugs in right behind the radio that bumps the power output up from 15w rms to 50w rms.

just some options.

 

[MDJR]

I just checked Crutchfield.com and they have the radio I want and it comes with the faceplate adapter, wiring harness, and antenna adapter with free shipping. I think I'll try it with the factory speakers and amp first and I can always bypass later. I only have a sealed enclosure with an 8" kicker but it is perfect for me. Crutchfield did note that the pink factory amp wire needs to be spliced into the after market deck remote wire. Thanks for the responses.

 

[JTahoeR]

Check out Sonicelectonix.com free dash kit, vehicle specific wiring harness and free shipping. Excellent customer service and a great company to deal with.

 

[drjay2012]

use pac os 1 w/o bose, you dont have to cut any wires and you can add an amp to it

 

[magicbus]

honestly your better off powering the speakers from your head unit rather than the factory amp. a way to think about it is the wires in the back of the radio are technically "rca's" for the factory amp. which your hooking up to speaker wires.

there is a wiring harness that will bypass the factory amp. not sure if that's still available. but regardless, in order to connect directly to the speakers, you will have to run wires to the factory amp and tap into the harness there.

trash the factory sub. there are lots of aftermarket subs that will fit in that location on the cheap then purchase a small amp for it. will be 10x better. probably lots of write ups on here for it.

factory tahoe speakers pretty much suck. replace those too. 6.5" components up front and 6.5" coaxials in the rear.

i'm a big fan of alpine. eventually want to get some type r components/coaxials for mine in combination with the power pack that plugs in right behind the radio that bumps the power output up from 15w rms to 50w rms.

just some options.

X2 the factory systems in these things are terrible. A little more money now will make you much happier later. In the words of Hunter S. Thompson; "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right."