Upgrading a 2009 Denali Nav HU to 2012 HU

[DCYukon]

I did search and found a lot about the process of taking the 2007+ navigation head unit and swapping it with the newer hard drive based 2012 version, including links to videos of it being done and the results look awesome. (I know there is a similar thread in this section but it is more of a "get in touch with a guy to buy parts for this" thread and I didn't want to thread-jack)

My only questions are for those that have already done this:

1) is the XM radio and NavTraffic ESN with the Head Unit (HU) or separate module? Just trying to figure out if I will need to have my subscriptions moved to the newer unit or have to replace older XM parts with newer XM parts to make everything work. My current setup has 2 ESNs, 1 for audio and 1 for traffic/data.

2) with regards to OnStar, one of my favorite features is the ability for the OnStar operator to send a destination to my NAV (not gauge cluster turn by turn, but the in-dash nav itself) while driving so that I don't have to pull over to edit destination settings. Is this possible after this retrofit or will I need some newer OnStar parts to make it all work?

3) everything I have seen and read demonstrates that with a adapter harness to allow for all the connections, everything is plug and play, but I haven't seen anyone demo the Rear Entertainment System setup. Does that work as well or will I need to get creative with that?

Thanks in advance as there aren't that many people willing to shell out +1500$ for an upgrade like this, but I would pay that much just to never hear the nav disc spin up an down the entire time I am behind the wheel again, and these are questions the dealer isn't much help with.

 

[Rywith22]

Great post, I have similar questions as well....

 

[fiatdale]

Look at my post in this section entitled 2012 nav in 2007. All the info you need is there.

 

[DCYukon]

Look at my post in this section entitled 2012 nav in 2007. All the info you need is there.

Thanks for your response, I noted your post but you had an 07 which doesn't have the factory NavTraffic option (09+) and you didn't mention the Rear Entertainment System and stated you had your OnStar disconnected. Those are the items I am asking about and still need info on.

 

[fiatdale]

The 2012 unit has the Sirius/XM unit internal, so it has a new ESN. CPS audio proves an adapter harness for this to work with your factory XM antenna.

Onstar I cant comment on becuase I do not use it.

RSE works perfectly with the harness he provides. The way everything ties in, from what I have seen, works just as if it came from the factory that way. Even in a 2007.

 

[DCYukon]

The 2012 unit has the Sirius/XM unit internal, so it has a new ESN. CPS audio proves an adapter harness for this to work with your factory XM antenna.

Onstar I cant comment on becuase I do not use it.

RSE works perfectly with the harness he provides. The way everything ties in, from what I have seen, works just as if it came from the factory that way. Even in a 2007.

Thanks, called CPS and they said it was all a matter of programming to have onstar work as it did with old head unit and I pulled the trigger. Should have my setup in hand next week.

 

[Rywith22]

Where are you guys located? I'm in South Florida (West Palm). If I order these things, I have an 07 LTZ, will I do the install or will I have to bring it someone to do it??

Currently, with my OnStar they can't send the directions to my NAV, they speak them and I have to play them back through the speakers. That's actually pretty stupid, so I really have no need for OnStar, but would upgrading to this new HU give them the ability to send the address directly to the NAV system??

 

[fiatdale]

Install is extremely simple. Would take anyone less than an hour start to finish. Simple tools needed, nothing crazy.

DCYukon may be able to chime in once he receives his on the OnStar issue as I do not use it.

 

[Rywith22]

If the OnStar wouldn't work for what I want then I would be skipping out on it as well, but if so it would be nice. Not a make or break thing at all. Thanks for the update, I'm pretty handy so I'm not worried about the install I was more worried about any programming or weird off shoot things of that nature I might need to do.

One last thing, Fiat. Does the color being off, really look bad at all?? Yours is an 07, right?? Can you post a close up pic? That one on the other thread doesn't really look off at all but it's not too close up or anything.

Thanks again and hopefully DCYukon chimes back in when he gets his.

 

[jplong]

The hardest part about the head unit install is removing the trim piece without breaking it. For such a small piece of plastic it takes a ton of force to pull it off. One can easily snap it, especially the bottom clip. I would suggest that you DON'T use a screwdriver as it will put the force on a pinpoint area. I used a 2" putty knife to pry it out.

beyond that the connectors are all coded and will only go one way. Pretty easy.