Anyone Switched Factory Head Unit Only?
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Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Anyone Switched Factory Head Unit Only?
Before anyone ask why would you do that. I want to say that this would a preliminary move to save money. I could get a nice head unit with navigation and aux input features so I could play my non-ipod mp3 player(contrary to popular belief, there are mp3 players out there that are not made by apple and give very good service). I would put up with the blose speakers for a while and change them out later for a full blown speaker/amp setup. The only added cost would be an interface for the new radio to communicate with the blose system. I think pacific audio sells one. Does this make sense or am I wishful thinking.
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St Jude Donor '13
Before anyone ask why would you do that. I want to say that this would a preliminary move to save money. I could get a nice head unit with navigation and aux input features so I could play my non-ipod mp3 player(contrary to popular belief, there are mp3 players out there that are not made by apple and give very good service). I would put up with the blose speakers for a while and change them out later for a full blown speaker/amp setup. The only added cost would be an interface for the new radio to communicate with the blose system. I think pacific audio sells one. Does this make sense or am I wishful thinking.
As far as which interface goes, get the Peripheral version - GMCO if you don't have (or don't use) Onstar, GMAH24B and GMAHCM if you do.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Lots of folks have taken this route. It does make sense because you need the OEM interface even if you do wind up replacing the amps later so you're not wasting anything except perhaps some of your own time.
As far as which interface goes, get the Peripheral version - GMCO if you don't have (or don't use) Onstar, GMAH24B and GMAHCM if you do.
As far as which interface goes, get the Peripheral version - GMCO if you don't have (or don't use) Onstar, GMAH24B and GMAHCM if you do.
Thanks for the input. couple of questions would be
would all my factory items still work, including on-star and what stereo system would you recommend?
Last edited by BigButtLover; Apr 7, 2009 at 04:58 PM.
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From: North Augusta, SC
I removed my factory 6-disc radio to install a new DVD/Nav HU and kept the bose amps/speakers (except for upgrading the 3.5's in the doors). I used a GMCO interface since I don't have OnStar, but you would have to get both the GMAH24B & GMAHCM to keep your OnStar and all of the chimes.
Concerning which HU to get, that depends on your budget and what features you want it to have. I'm very happy with my AVIC-D3, but some don't like that it's a DVD based navigation system. NewEgg.com occasionally has some great deals on relatively new units that they're trying to get rid of.
Concerning which HU to get, that depends on your budget and what features you want it to have. I'm very happy with my AVIC-D3, but some don't like that it's a DVD based navigation system. NewEgg.com occasionally has some great deals on relatively new units that they're trying to get rid of.
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Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks Mark,
I would like to keep ON-Star so I have been doing some investigating, and it seems to me that I would only need the GMAH24B if I keep my factory amp and I do plan on keeping everything factory at this time except for the HU. I think the GMAHCM is an add-on chime for low oil, seat belts,....etc. if the factory amp is replaced. Please let me know if this is incorrect. I'm currently trying to navigate through the endless models of HU's with navigation. Also, I would prefer the HU have the aux input at the back of the unit.
I would like to keep ON-Star so I have been doing some investigating, and it seems to me that I would only need the GMAH24B if I keep my factory amp and I do plan on keeping everything factory at this time except for the HU. I think the GMAHCM is an add-on chime for low oil, seat belts,....etc. if the factory amp is replaced. Please let me know if this is incorrect. I'm currently trying to navigate through the endless models of HU's with navigation. Also, I would prefer the HU have the aux input at the back of the unit.
Last edited by BigButtLover; Apr 7, 2009 at 05:42 PM.
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Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '08
I'm thinking about going without navigation after looking at the prices. I really wouldn't be using it much as this is not a DD. I would though like it to be a double din set up with XM radio capability. I don't want to pay for a HU with a lot of extra peripherals that I will never use.
Last edited by BigButtLover; Apr 7, 2009 at 06:37 PM.
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You will definetely need the chime module if you want to retain the chimes. I used the gmah24b and the gmahcm on my 07 C6 with Bose and onstar. Everything works fine. I bought the Kenwood DNX-8120. It does have nav but you also get bluetooth and excellent ipod integration as well as a usb input so you can play music from a thumb drive. I will eventually get rid of the Bose amp and speakers for something better, but for now, I am happy with my setup. Hope this helps. Mike
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks Mike,
that sounds like the exact setup that I would like, except maybe for the nav. depending on price. Do you have XM radio also? How much did you give for it. Again, thanks for the info.
that sounds like the exact setup that I would like, except maybe for the nav. depending on price. Do you have XM radio also? How much did you give for it. Again, thanks for the info.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Well, after doing more research, looks like that unit is around $1200 greeenbacks Mike. However it is an excellent unit. I would love to find one just like that without Nav. Can anyone tell me if I my car had XM from the factory will I have to purchase anything extra to continue XM if I purchase a sat. ready radio?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks Pent,
that's what I'm looking for. can you tell me if my factory xm will work with this unit, or will i have to buy the extra satellite radio receiver. thanks.
that's what I'm looking for. can you tell me if my factory xm will work with this unit, or will i have to buy the extra satellite radio receiver. thanks.
Tech Contributor
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From: North Augusta, SC
You'll have to get the new receiver. The only oem part you can re-use would be the XM antenna, but even then only if you ran a cable from the new receiver back to the current one. It would be easiest for you to just put the antenna that comes with the new one on top of the vents above the radio.
Since the music channels are now identical, have you considered switching to SIRIUS so you can get all of the NFL games
Since the music channels are now identical, have you considered switching to SIRIUS so you can get all of the NFL games
Tech Contributor
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From: North Augusta, SC
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Okay thanks Mark for all the help. No, I hadn't thought of switching to sirius. I guess all I would have to do is:
1. get the sirius satellite receiver?
2. Do i need a special faceplate for a seamless install in my vette?
3. mark, what type of speaks did you upgrade the 3.5's to?
Yea, that would be great if i could get the nfl games. I think this is the one I want. Hopefully if anyone have any negatives to say about the kenwood DDX512 please chime in. I feel pretty safe with it, knowing that Pent approves of it.
1. get the sirius satellite receiver?
2. Do i need a special faceplate for a seamless install in my vette?
3. mark, what type of speaks did you upgrade the 3.5's to?
Yea, that would be great if i could get the nfl games. I think this is the one I want. Hopefully if anyone have any negatives to say about the kenwood DDX512 please chime in. I feel pretty safe with it, knowing that Pent approves of it.
Last edited by BigButtLover; Apr 8, 2009 at 06:11 PM.
Tech Contributor
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1. yep
2. Metra kit #95-3304
3. I got Boston Acoustic S35, Polk db351 are also popular, but ANY 2-way aftermarket speaker is better than the stock paper speakers.
Click here for a great DIY thread.
2. Metra kit #95-3304
3. I got Boston Acoustic S35, Polk db351 are also popular, but ANY 2-way aftermarket speaker is better than the stock paper speakers.
Click here for a great DIY thread.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: I love the Big Butt Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks Mark for all the help, I'll probably be ordering everything tomorrow. Looks like sonicelectronics has everything I need. Thanks for the heads up on the thread. I'll let you guys know when everything is installed. Hopefully put up some pics.
