Usb Port - Upgraded Stereo - How To?

taylormade · February 11, 2011

Hi Guys -

newbie here, first topic. I've been using the search function quite a bit, and through that figured out that I could upgrade my AM/FM no CD unit in my truck to a new AM/FM/CD unit. I bought (Ebay) a unit that DOES have the USB connection in the back of it.

My question - how do I use it?

The port is in the back of the head - my truck is an LS model, is it wired out to a port you can access in higher end models? How are folks here doing it, just putting files on a usb drive, and then plugging it in, putting the whole head unit back in dash, and just forgetting about it?

If this is the approach, my 2 questions -

1. What is the biggest drive the head would support (if anyone knows)

2. What OS should the drive be formatted for, if it makes any difference? (NTFS?)

Thanks guys. I'm trying to do my homework before I ask questions, and I didn't find a clear answer to this situation in searching (searched "USB", "upgrade", among other options).

Superperv23 · February 11, 2011

In the trucks that come the suv dash the usb is in the center console storage, a cord runs from the head unit to the plug, it is essentially a usb extension cable. The head unit has a usb mini port on the back so the easiest thing you can do it get a male usb mini to female usb extension cord and plug that into the head unit then run it to where you want it, under the dash or into the glove box, up to you.

I am not sure if has an actual gb capacity because all the manual said was 65,535 files and recommend fat32 files system, that many mp3 files would be in the range of 250GB or 300GB so unless you are connecting a hard drive to it you shouldn't have a problem.

taylormade · March 22, 2011

Ok, I'm back around again.

Bought a 320GB USB drive. Formatted FAT32, multiple times (different allocation unit sizes, etc). Just to test it out, I dumped one folder/album, (8-10 files) - and I get a "no mp3 or WMA files found", which seems to be a device conflict from what I find elsewhere on the interweb (I've been to Cruze, Solstice, etc forums... ). Tried other USB hard drives, similar results.

Is anyone out here using a USB harddrive (vs. a thumbdrive)? What model/type/speed? Any magic in the format?

If I'm dead in the water, how are people managing the connection? Cable I have now is usb mini-male to mini-male - so I need a mini female to a female to use a "normal" memory stick.

I've banged my head on this one for a week, anyone have ideas? I'm ready to go do a leveling kit, at least I know why something is unhappy in that...

mjg62 · March 24, 2011

I use a 32gb cruz thumb drive and it works fine. As far as hook up I had to go with a miniB to usbA male extension cable. I found a usb male to female adapter at a computer parts store. Plugged it into the cable then the drive plugs on to it. Mounted it in my center console and all works great. Cost me about $20.00 plus the flash drive.

ChevyTech77 · March 24, 2011

Read your trucks owners manual. I found it full of very good information on this.

Superperv23 · March 24, 2011

I have a self powered drive I will try it out and let you know

taylormade · March 24, 2011

Read your trucks owners manual. I found it full of very good information on this.

I did, and from what it says, I should be golden. It just won't talk to the drive. I'm USB, less than 65K files, FAT32 formatted, mp3 files. What else am I missing?

From what I find out in space it's very hit and miss. Some folks have exactly the issue I do, some toss a drive in and it just works, no problems, and I can't figure out what the common (or uncommon) thread is.

ChevyTech77 · March 24, 2011

I did, and from what it says, I should be golden. It just won't talk to the drive. I'm USB, less than 65K files, FAT32 formatted, mp3 files. What else am I missing?

From what I find out in space it's very hit and miss. Some folks have exactly the issue I do, some toss a drive in and it just works, no problems, and I can't figure out what the common (or uncommon) thread is.

Did you try any different type of usb drive or even just a different stick?

BTW, what rpo radio do you have? I am under the understanding that a US8 radio cannot be connected to via USB. That and the fact that you added this, correct? If so, the radio may have to be programmed with different sofware to work.

taylormade · March 27, 2011

I did try a different HD, no dice. I've got to find a mini-b to A-female adapter to try a regular stick.

Good question. Part number was 20934593, NIB. I did NOT have to program it to get it up and running - it fired up first shot. Does that part number specify an RPO? After reading around here, that's what led me to that PN.

More specifically, this thread

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...7157&st=260

Called out the Part number. I read in that thread about folks having issues with anything bigger than a memory stick, but figured it was worth a shot. Is there some magic in re-programming the thing that would fix it?

After reading here, and elsewhere, it may just be a good ol' fashioned device conflict - but I read random posts of folks using 300gb HDs and it working. Annoying... ;)

dsr611 · April 13, 2011

Any updates on whether you got the drive to working or not? I had a MS Zune, and hated that it wouldn't play through the USB port so I sold it. Found a Western Digital portable hard drive for a decent price and thinking of getting it and putting my MP3s on it instead, if it will work.

taylormade · August 11, 2011

Coming back out of space to see if time had kicked loose a solution to this, and it appears not. I still haven't been able to get it to work with ANY hard drive, it does work with my 8GB memory stick.

Has anyone figured out a magic solution for this?

Superperv23 · August 11, 2011

I tried one and it didnt work, I swapped factory head unit for aftermarket dvd player a while back so I am of no help, sorry

kdixer · August 11, 2011

when I installed a USB equiped radio in my 09', I downloaded a manual for a 2010 Silverado from GM's website. the following is from that manual.

USB Support

The USB connector is located on the dashboard or in

the center console, and uses the USB 2.0 standard.

USB Supported Devices

. USB Flash Drives

. Portable USB Hard Drives

. Fifth generation or later iPod

. iPod nanos

. iPod touch

. iPod classic

Not all iPods and USB Drives are compatible with the

USB port.

Make sure the iPod has the latest firmware from Apple®

for proper operation. iPod firmware can be updated

using the latest iTunes® application. See

www.apple.com/itunes.

For help with identifying your iPod, go to

www.apple.com/support.

USB Supported File and Folder Structure

The radio supports:

. Up to 700 folders.

. Up to 8 folders in depth.

. Up to 65,535 files.

. Folder and file names up to 64 bytes.

. Files with an .mp3 or .wma file extension.

. AAC files stored on an iPod.

. FAT16

. FAT32

jgriffin187 · May 24, 2012

I've just figured out how to get my portable hard drives to work with the radio after many failed attempts. It does come down to power. I had to use a USB cable that was mini on one end (to plug into hard drive) and the other end had 2 USB ends. I obviously plugged 1 USB into the trucks USB port and the other USB into a cigarette plug adapter (cigarette plug w/ female USB port). The cigarette plug gives the hard drive the extra power that it needed.