sierra head unit upgrade

[txwhaler76]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and I need a little help. I have a factory head unit in my 2009 gmc sierra 1500 sle and I was given the touch screen/nav head unit out of a 2009 gmc 2500. I want to put the upgrade unit in my truck and I was wondering if you guys could point me to a youtube video or old thread that would help me out. I have tried searching this forum and found some stuff about the bose/non bose stuff. I just need a little help as far as getting the old unit out, if I need to re-program the new unit, do I need a antenna for the nav, etc. Any tips/tricks would be helpful too. I know this topic has probably been on this forum a lot, but please don't tell me to do a search and find it. I have already tried it and not found exactly what I was looking for.

 

Thanks,

[Sex&Trucks]

have you got the wire harness?

[txwhaler76]

I just picked up the upgrade head unit from a friend. Do I need a new wire harness? Is the one in my truck not sufficient? This is not an aftermarket head unit, it is a stock touch screen unit.

[sw6416]

Your factory wiring harness will work. You pop off the trim surround that goes around the radio and AC controls then you can see where it bolts into the dash ( will have to unbolt the AC control at the same time they overlap ) Then it will slide out and unplug. Run the GPS antenna through the dash to the mounting postion close to the dash up by the windshield. Plug everything back up, secure the radio and AC control back reinstall the trim piece and take it to the dealer to have the radio programmed to your truck. Provided you have the correct radio to work with your installed sound package Bose vs Non Bose as you have already stated.

[txwhaler76]

found out it is a bose unit when i installed it and the sound was quiet. so am i understanding correctly that i need to get the unit re-programmed at a dealership? also, after doing a little more reading, it is looking like i need to get a vss/voice harness and a nav antenna. can i get these items at a local electronics or audio store, or do i need to order them on ebay or something?

[sw6416]

found out it is a bose unit when i installed it and the sound was quiet. so am i understanding correctly that i need to get the unit re-programmed at a dealership? also, after doing a little more reading, it is looking like i need to get a vss/voice harness and a nav antenna. can i get these items at a local electronics or audio store, or do i need to order them on ebay or something?

 

 

Someone else will have to chime in here but I was under the impression that a non Bose system with a Bose head unit would require Bose speakers and AMP.

[dmarafino]

In order to install this Nav, you'll need an Amplifier and Integration T harness, as well as another harness for the VSS & Voice commands. You can get everything you need at United Radio.

[Doug_Scott]

found out it is a bose unit when i installed it and the sound was quiet. so am i understanding correctly that i need to get the unit re-programmed at a dealership? also, after doing a little more reading, it is looking like i need to get a vss/voice harness and a nav antenna. can i get these items at a local electronics or audio store, or do i need to order them on ebay or something?

 

 

Someone else will have to chime in here but I was under the impression that a non Bose system with a Bose head unit would require Bose speakers and AMP.

 

 

I was under the impression that the head units were the same, and the programming done by the dealer would make it work for bose if needed, or not for bose if needed.

[dmarafino]

My understanding with these is that they do not have an internal amplifier, and thus require an external amplifier to work in non bose vehicles.

[wottenad]

found out it is a bose unit when i installed it and the sound was quiet. so am i understanding correctly that i need to get the unit re-programmed at a dealership? also, after doing a little more reading, it is looking like i need to get a vss/voice harness and a nav antenna. can i get these items at a local electronics or audio store, or do i need to order them on ebay or something?

 

 

Someone else will have to chime in here but I was under the impression that a non Bose system with a Bose head unit would require Bose speakers and AMP.

 

 

I was under the impression that the head units were the same, and the programming done by the dealer would make it work for bose if needed, or not for bose if needed.

 

 

Bose units do not have an internal amp, so no amount of programming will allow it to work. If you can source the factory style male plugs to get audio outputs out of the deck, you can wire it into any 4 channel amplifier, but you will have to change the factory wires to RCA's for input into the amp.

 

As mentioned before, you will also need the VSS harness (the C4 connector) and grab the VSS wire at the rear of the left I/P junction block. Depending on the part # of navi, you'll probably also need to wire the voice outputs from the C4 connector to the C1 connector.

 

We've done this install a few times and it's a PAIN IN THE A**. If you're into the navi for free, then it may be worthwhile, but you'll have to get an amp and the right harnesses (or cut your factory harnesses) and either spend the better part of a day doing it yourself or taking it to an installer the (hopefully) has done it before and pay them for 3-4 hours of labor.

[txwhaler76]

yeah, it's looking like this thing is more work than it's worth. i appreciate all the help guys. thank you

[dmarafino]

I've done it with the United Radio amp and harnesses. Their amp uses a T-Harness, so everything is plug and play. No cutting and splicing for the amp. The only thing you have to splice is the voice command wires from C4 into C1. The C4 plug they have (I assume you can get it elsewhere too?) comes with the plug for the VCIM for OnStar, the VSS wire, and a RCA backup camera input.

[txwhaler76]

I've done it with the United Radio amp and harnesses. Their amp uses a T-Harness, so everything is plug and play. No cutting and splicing for the amp. The only thing you have to splice is the voice command wires from C4 into C1. The C4 plug they have (I assume you can get it elsewhere too?) comes with the plug for the VCIM for OnStar, the VSS wire, and a RCA backup camera input.

 

 

Do you have a link or part numbers for these items?

[txwhaler76]

So I think I am going to try and tackle this project and I need some help to figure out what I will need. Here is what I am thinking:

- nav antenna

- VSS harness

- pac aoem-gm1416? (not sure if i need this or not, but seems better than cutting/splicing wires, but also unsure if it will work with the bose head unit)

- amp

 

What are you guys thoughts on the lockpick device as well?

[dmarafino]

I've done it with the United Radio amp and harnesses. Their amp uses a T-Harness, so everything is plug and play. No cutting and splicing for the amp. The only thing you have to splice is the voice command wires from C4 into C1. The C4 plug they have (I assume you can get it elsewhere too?) comes with the plug for the VCIM for OnStar, the VSS wire, and a RCA backup camera input.

 

 

Do you have a link or part numbers for these items?

 

 

Here's what you'll need if you get it from United Radio:

GMAMKL29 (Amp & Plug & Play Amp Harness)

GMHARNPAK (VSS, Voice Prompt, and Video In for Rear-Cam)

22880386 (Nav Map)

 

They also have a full write-up step by step install if you buy the kit from them.