I'm in the middle of replacing the head unit in my C6. I have the head unit pre-installed with all the connections connected to test functionality before I stuff it in the dash and put everything back together. I'm looking for suggestions/advice on a few remaining items:
1. Running the USB-C cable out for hard-wired connection to my phone. Where are folks leaving this for access? Through the ashtray? The bottom of the dash fitting against the tunnel? Just looking for ideas that maybe I am not considering.
2. I am also installing a back-up camera.

• I am assuming I will be working my way with the wiring from the camera back to the head unit and not from the head unit to the camera?
• What is the path of least resistance.......along the floor/doorjamb or under the hatch carpet to the center console? I am thinking the latter is easier since I already have the console apart.
• I was working off of a series of videos so I could see what I was getting into beforehand. I cant seem to find a good source for getting through the tail lights and into the hatch, removing trim panels, etc. Interested to learn from other's experiences on this one.

TIA

 

As far as the USB, I remove the power port in the center console and added something like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/23526097855...Bk9SR5T86sfDZQ I’ve seen where others have done the same thing but with the lighter.

With the cameras wiring, I routed mine through a grommet that can be accessed by removing the passenger side tail lights, you can see the grommet I’m referring to here (yellow arrow).


I personally found it easiest just to run the wiring under the carpet and center console.

As far as going through the bumper, if you look underneath above the license plate by the key slot, you’ll see a few openings to feed the wires though, (red arrow) this view is from inside of the bumper.




As far as where I installed my camera, you can see it here.


What head unit are you installing ? Which interface are you using ? Are you adding XM radio ? What year’s your car ? We can give you other tips and tricks for your install with more info.

 

The car is an 08 Z06. The head unit is Sony XAV-AX6000 and it is pretty much installed with a PAC RP5-GM11 interface. Camera is a Kenwood CMOS-230LP and I used the Metra dash kit and had Crutchfield mate the wiring harness. I've read that there is a grounding point behind the right rear taillights? The only other I know is just behind the passenger door but I would rather route through the center console and under the hatch carpet. Then I just need to connect to reverse light power and I was leaning towards splicing a pigtail in at the PAC module. Is the ground point location behind the tail lights visible in your pic? Thanks for sending BTW

 

On mine I just ran all the wiring to the head unit, the negative wire I just spliced it in to the Black ground neg wire between the head unit and the interface. The positive wire can be connected a couple of different ways, if you want to be able to switch the camera on anytime you’re driving then spice it in to the Red switched 12V+ wire between the head unit and interface, this powers the camera anytime the car’s running so you can not only view it in reverse, but if you want also when you’re driving by turning it on from the head unit. If you only want it to come on and be powered only when it’s in reverse, then splice the cameras positive wire to the Purple/White reverse output wire between the head unit and interface, this is powered at 12v+ only when the car is in reverse, and can be used to power that camera, and also tells the head unit the cars in reverse and switches the screen to view the camera view accordingly.

As far as if there’s a good ground point by the tail lights, there isn’t one that I know of other than the tail light wiring harness itself, me personally don’t like spicing into the tail light harness. I just suggest running all the wiring under the carpet to the head unit and do all the connections there, you have to run the video out from the camera up there anyway. In my opinion it makes for a cleaner install because it’s all connected in one spot.

 

Thanks for this. This should be helpful and simplify the install for me. Confirms what I was thinking also.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Did your car originally have the stock nav system ? If so, it looks like the stock nav antenna would just plug right into your Sony system which would make install simpler, Also are you adding XM radio to your Sony ? If so I can give you guidance on how to reuse your stock XM antennas with the use of some adapters if you’re interested.

 

One more question?? There's an 8-pin connector that came off the factory head unit along with the other two main connectors. I'm not seeing anywhere where that would need to be reconnected either on the PAC or the new head unit. I'm assuming that will be unused?

 

Yes, it’s been a while since doing mine but if I recall correctly, the 8 pin connector you’re referring to is a white connector correct ? If I remember correctly this comes from the stock XM tuner which can’t be reused with an aftermarket system, if you want XM radio with your system, you have to buy this tuner. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_220SXV...0V1-Tuner.html Like I mentioned earlier you can however reuse the stock XM antennas with the use of some adapters to adapt them to the new tuner. Also the red and white RCA cables aren’t used, these are for cars with a rear seat entertainment, which of course the Vettes don’t have.

If you had the stock nav system, you should also have a gray connector that looks like this.




This is the connector for the stock GPS antenna, and as far as I can see should just plug into your Sony, and work just fine, which means you won’t need to install the one that came with the Sony. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Got it, yes. The 8-pin is white. I didnt want to connect everything and put it all back together and then realize it should have been connected. It makes sense that it is the XM connect. I am good on the GPS puck. Already have that taken care of. Rear camera is all that I have left and then stuff it all back in the dash which should be fun.