upgrading head unit
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Wheeling West Virginia
upgrading head unit
i plan on upgrading the head unit on my c6z, with Bose. im looking for a touch screen, with bluetooth, lifetime nav, and dvd. id greatly appreciate it if someone would direct me to some good units. this is my first gm, so any 'need to know' info would also be helpful. many thanks in advance guys.
oh, also this is the headunit i have now (stolen pic):
oh, also this is the headunit i have now (stolen pic):
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Tx
Just installed a Pioneer AVH-8500 app radio and use my phone for nav. Has DVD, bluetooth mic and rear camera input. Dennis at DoubleD sold me the wiring already setup. Cant go wrong if you go that route.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 960
Likes: 118
From: Panama City, Florida
There are several very good units out there and that was my problem when trying to decide. Garmin GPS is the main reason I went with Kenwood. But since then I purchased a Clarion for my wife's car and the GPS is really good for it as well. But I believe as long as you purchase from Double D and get his advice you will be in good shape. Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 86
From: Rocheport Missouri
Dennis at Double D Mods will be able to provide the correct GM adapter based on the options you have. The only thing that can't be "connected" to an aftermarket head unit is the HUD. And that isn't a big deal, you just won't see the song title when they change. As far as steering wheel and chimes, etc, you can retain them all.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
As they say
Just give me a call direct
We can help you pick out the head unit and get you everything you will need.
If close we have two locations now for installations
Wisconsin and Alabama
Thanks
Dennis
As they say
Just give me a call direct
We can help you pick out the head unit and get you everything you will need.
If close we have two locations now for installations
Wisconsin and Alabama
Thanks
Dennis
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Dennis -- when you install a new head unit, does it look like it belongs there, i.e., is it a neat installation? Do you also recommend changing out the speakers when you get an improved radio? My car has the base radio and it sounds pretty bad. It's an 09 and I would really like bluetooth, a better sounding radio, and NAV would be nice but not totally necessary.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Dennis -- when you install a new head unit, does it look like it belongs there, i.e., is it a neat installation? Do you also recommend changing out the speakers when you get an improved radio? My car has the base radio and it sounds pretty bad. It's an 09 and I would really like bluetooth, a better sounding radio, and NAV would be nice but not totally necessary.
Free install this month on radio packages as well
Here is a pic of an install for you with a Kenwood DNX890HD that Steven put in his Grand Sport. This will give you an idea of what the DNX890HD from Kenwood would look like installed
If you have more or any questions just call me and I can answer all the questions you might have for me
Dennis
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Thanks Dennis. That looks really good. And I think Alabaster is just south of Birmingham, which would make it pretty close ... maybe 120 miles straight south on I-65. Honestly, the prices are not as high as I thought they would be ... but don't increase them. 
I'll get in touch if I decide to do the changeout.
I'll get in touch if I decide to do the changeout.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
Do you also have OnStar? I had an issue with my Kenwood DNX-890HD and the OnStar. When I used OnStar, the radio would turn off and restart when the conversation was finished. If I was getting turn-by-turn navigation from OnStar, the radio shut off each time the OnStar system gave a turn instruction; very annoying.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
Just remember. Kenwouldn't. I say this as a guy who owns two of them. I have a DNX7160 in my Silverado which takes 20-25 seconds to boot and the response time when you hit a button is 5-10 seconds. Every time you hit any button.
When I bought my vette I wanted the best. I went with Kenwood again because of the Garmin Nav, and bought their flagship model DNX990HD. Then Apple goes to IOS6 and now my iPhone doesn't work with the HU's bluetooth anymore. Kenwood has been working on a solve FOR A YEAR now. When you call and ask for an update they say "we're working on it". I'm in software and if it takes a year to release the fix, that means they aren't working on it and we're screwed. So their flagship model doesn't work with the most popular cell phone on the planet. Wow.
Fool me once...........
Rant over now.
When I bought my vette I wanted the best. I went with Kenwood again because of the Garmin Nav, and bought their flagship model DNX990HD. Then Apple goes to IOS6 and now my iPhone doesn't work with the HU's bluetooth anymore. Kenwood has been working on a solve FOR A YEAR now. When you call and ask for an update they say "we're working on it". I'm in software and if it takes a year to release the fix, that means they aren't working on it and we're screwed. So their flagship model doesn't work with the most popular cell phone on the planet. Wow.
Fool me once...........
Rant over now.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Just remember. Kenwouldn't. I say this as a guy who owns two of them. I have a DNX7160 in my Silverado which takes 20-25 seconds to boot and the response time when you hit a button is 5-10 seconds. Every time you hit any button.
When I bought my vette I wanted the best. I went with Kenwood again because of the Garmin Nav, and bought their flagship model DNX990HD. Then Apple goes to IOS6 and now my iPhone doesn't work with the HU's bluetooth anymore. Kenwood has been working on a solve FOR A YEAR now. When you call and ask for an update they say "we're working on it". I'm in software and if it takes a year to release the fix, that means they aren't working on it and we're screwed. So their flagship model doesn't work with the most popular cell phone on the planet. Wow.
Fool me once...........
Rant over now.
When I bought my vette I wanted the best. I went with Kenwood again because of the Garmin Nav, and bought their flagship model DNX990HD. Then Apple goes to IOS6 and now my iPhone doesn't work with the HU's bluetooth anymore. Kenwood has been working on a solve FOR A YEAR now. When you call and ask for an update they say "we're working on it". I'm in software and if it takes a year to release the fix, that means they aren't working on it and we're screwed. So their flagship model doesn't work with the most popular cell phone on the planet. Wow.
Fool me once...........
Rant over now.
The 990 it will work fine with exception of the video and you can thank Apple for this one as they have caused all kinds of problems for not only Kenwood radios but Alpine, Pioneer, JVC, ect when Apple switched from analog output to digital.
The 7160 should work fine with exception of the video as this will not be supported as I have 2 customers local with Iphone 5 and the 9960 and they have no issues with the phones not working