Replace 2010 Wt Radio?

a42887 · May 2, 2010

I've tried searching, but almost everything pertains to either adding navigation or for those with On-Star. I have a basic 2010 GMC Sierra WT with the basic AM/FM radio. I'm open to either replacing it with a factory AM/FM/CD/XM, or replacing it with my Alpine CD Player. I don't have On-Star, no XM, no nothing but AM/FM. So...

If I want the factory AM/FM/CD/XM, I would need an amp, correct?

If I want my aftermarket deck, do I need an adaptor since I don't have On-Star? Will I lose anything at all without an adaptor? Does anyone know where to get a wiring harness if an adaptor isn't needed?

Thanks in advance!

Dale_K · May 7, 2010

I just got finished exactly this same project and it was an expensive lesson. I bought a used OEM am/fm/cd unit from a guy on this forum for $65 and spent another $102 at the dealer to get it reprogrammed to learn the new VIN. All the functions in the radio worked but very weak volume. That's when I found out the upgrade radios expect to see a separate amp.

I told the dealer all I wanted was a working unit with a CD that operated just like it was originally installed in the truck at the factory. The Service Manager told the Service Writer to check with Delphi and give me a cost estimate. Answer: Not feasible, $2,500.

So I went to a local car audio place and they said they could put in an aftermarket amp for about $300. A few days later when I went down for the installation the head of the shop said it wasn't a good idea. They were going to have to cut the wires to the speakers and turn them into RCA preamp outputs, then send the signals back from the amp to get tied back into the speaker lines. He was worried the installation would pick up noise from the motor. There was also going to be a problem if I ever wanted to install a sub or put in the GM kit to enable satellite radio. He strongly recommended an aftermarket head unit.

I picked out a Kenwood with am/fm/cd/usb/hd-radio/sat ready for only $200 with built in 50 watt amp. On top of the head unit I needed to get a special aftermarket radio harness to keep the chimes and turn signal tick-tock operational. That added another $100. A few more parts and installation and the bill came to just over $400, not counting the first OEM replacement radio, which was worthless to me.

The good news is the system works perfectly, the interface with the truck is also perfect and no cuts were made in the factory wiring. I have an upgrade path because the Kenwood has preamp outputs if you want to go with a separate amp and it also has subwoofer outputs. I can also get the satellite radio if I choose. So far I have kept the stock speakers, which sound OK for now.

The downside is the radio is pretty small with small controls so it's a little harder to use. The reflection of the rear cab window makes the display hard to see.

I have the OEM take-out upgrade am/fm/cd with aux input and I'd be willing to sell it very cheap but you'll at least need an amp and plan on cutting some wires.

a42887 · May 7, 2010

What adapter did you get that kept the blinker dink noise? The Metra kit states that you need something additional to keep that function.

Thanks!

snerdy · May 8, 2010

What adapter did you get that kept the blinker dink noise? The Metra kit states that you need something additional to keep that function.

Thanks!

I put a 2 week old gm factory cd player out of a 2009 Silverado in my 2010 GMC Sierra myself, plug and play, no code needed. I guess I got lucky.

Dale_K · May 8, 2010

What adapter did you get that kept the blinker dink noise? The Metra kit states that you need something additional to keep that function.

Thanks!

My invoice doesn't tell me the brand and I didn't see it before the shop put it in but the bill says "OS-GMOSLAN1" and the description "GM LAN onstar w/no amp". My truck doesn't have onstar FWIW. The tick-tock works perfectly. The sound is coming from the adapter harness, not from the audio speakers.

smallengineguy · May 9, 2010

They sell the adapters on eBay all the time. Search "Silverado Bose".

khancock · May 9, 2010

They sell the adapters on eBay all the time. Search "Silverado Bose".

Wow I would have thought that this is a peace of cake compared to making everything work in my truck which was bose & onstar. It looks like the Metra GMRC-LAN-01 is the way to go. I would call metra and make sure before you order it, they've helped me out before. Its amazing how difficult it can be to do something so simple these days!

EDIT

Linky Here