Can't get Bose sound on my 2014 SLT build

fenster88 · November 3, 2013

Greetings all from a new member. Hate for my first post to be a complaining one, but... after years of waiting to get a brand new truck, I sat down with my dealer to build a 2014 SLT yesterday. Unfortunately I am unable to get the exact truck I want with the Bose sound system included. Although I don't belive this was the case a couple weeks ago when I was using the GMC website builder, apparently you can't get the 5.3l engine with bucket seats and get the Bose system- you now have to get the 6.2l to do so. Seems crazy to me that you can't add a premium sound system to a SLT regardless of engine or seats, but such is life.

Now that I've vented, two questions:

1. How big of a difference is there really between the standard factory 6-speaker system and the Bose on the 2014? For average radio/CD use, is the factory system decent? Anybody compared the two themselves? I didn't check them both out when I was test driving as I assumed I would be able to get the Bose.

2. Assuming the standard sound doesn't do it for me, does anybody have any opinions on how to best approximate the premium sound system aftermarket? I'm not really interested in doing it myself and would probably take it to a local shop. The idea of letting someone hack my brand new vehicle makes me a little nervous but I'm wondering if it might be worth the risk for a decent sound system.

Thanks

OhmMega · November 3, 2013

For aftermarket there currently are not any harnesses available. PAC has a radio replacement module but that's a poor choice in my opinion. Eventually I hope they have a male and female plug harness so we can tap into the factory wiring/radio without damaging anything.

On my system I ran all new wire and amps. I used the aoem from my 2010 Silverado and used some female pins to rig it to the radio without modifications.

I imagine theyll have something like the aa-gm44 available for our trucks.

As far as the sound quality I don't think anything stock even Bose will sound as nice or have the range as an OK set of components on a dedicated amp. However for the lows you shouldn't expect the component speakers to deliver much. A small sub would be worth it I think.

egiles · November 3, 2013

I just tried the build your own on GMC's website and didn't have any trouble. What I did was start with the Crew Cab SLT, added the SLT Value Package that adds the Bose audio, 6" step bars, and 20" chrome alloy wheels. I then added the $325 bucket seat option, and it added it without any conflicts-and didn't require the 6.2L option.

Maybe it was just a 'glitch' with the dealers ordering system at that time.

CRTrucks · November 3, 2013

The dealer may be reading that option wrong. It is poorly written. What it is saying is you can only get the active noise cancelation from the Bose option if you get the 6.2.

dmd277 · November 3, 2013

I have the standard audio system in my truck, the audio system is fair in my opinion, I am looking at upgrading the audio but I am worried about warrantee issues since the new audio system and the DIC sometimes has communication issues. I have talked with the dealers service manager about after market audio components effecting the warrantee.

fenster88 · November 4, 2013

egiles - I have tried choosing the same options that I was choosing just last week on the GMC site, but get very different results now. I start with crew cab standard box, 4WD SLT. I can add SLT value package and preferred package without any issues. But when I then add bucket seats it de-selects the 5.3L engine, although it never actually states that 6.3L is being added. If I check the 5.3L box, it takes away the value package, which includes the Bose system. Add Bose back in, it tells me I have to add a Value Plus package. I can't seem to find any combination that keeps everything as it was last week.

The dealer said he was getting a similar response in his system- he said he couldn't find a way to add Bose without also adding 6.3L. I'm going to call my dealer and have him try again before submitting my build Monday morning. I'm wondering if CRTrucks is right and the dealer is not reading the info correctly. I might even talk to another dealer about it, get a second opinion?

Thanks guys

redwngr · November 4, 2013

From reference guide:

UQA -Bose Sound with 6 speaker system, (7 speaker system including subwoofer when ordered with bucket seats)
1 - Included in (PDB) SLT Crew Cab Value Package or (PDC) Texas SLT Crew Cab Value Package. Required when (L86) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and (AN3) bucket seat are ordered and includes (NKC) noise control system.

UQA suggests that the value package INCLUDES the Bose. AN3 adds the bucket seats to the SLT, . (AN3 is heated leather buckets, only avail on SLT)

I was able to 'build and price' 2014 sierra,1500,SLT crew, std, 4x4 leather (heated and cooled)buckets, 5.3, 3.73 (max trailering), slt preferred etc,

It's not necessary to select 5.3, because it is standard with SLT.

I had trouble with build/price whenever it tried to select an item that was included in an already selected package.

Shahar · November 4, 2013

Did you try talking to a different dealer? I got my 5.3L SLT with the value package which includes the Bose system

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crushNchowda · November 4, 2013

^{I have the Bose system in my SLT w/ buckets and all terrain package and 5.3 and it is one of the best stock systems I've ever experienced no lie. IT is much better than the bose system in my old 2007 silverado LTZ}

KMGMC · November 4, 2013

I think I would be going to another dealership to check it out. I have a SLT 5.3 CC with buckets and I have a the Bose premium stereo.

Its actually really good for a factory system I was surprised, I installed stereo's for about 3 years but I'm not even going to touch this one.

I would really check in to that.

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fenster88 · November 5, 2013

UPDATE:

So I went to another dealership today, and had a completely different experience. I told the salesman what the first dealer said about the Bose system, and he basically said that is crazy. This salesman was able and willing to build a truck any way I wanted within the normal constraints.

What I didn't mention in my original post was that when I inquired about getting a Denali with the 5.3L engine, the first dealer told me that wasn't possible, 6.2L only on a Denali. When I pointed out that the GMC website and brochures listed the 5.3L as standard for the Denali with the 6.2L as an option, he replied nope, only the 6.2L on the Denali, that's one of the things that sets it apart from the other Sierras. He said it was a moot point anyway because he couldn't even order Denalis yet.

Needless to say he was full of it, or at least misinformed. My new dealer just shook his head when I told him about it. He ran some numbers for me and a couple potential builds, Denali and SLT (with Bose of course!)

So, I walked out of the new dealership with a 2014 4WD Crew Cab Standard Box Denali on order. More than I should be spending on a truck, but I decided you only live once. With GM employee discount and a couple vehicles to sell it should all work out fine.

Thanks for all of the advice and comments. To anyone reading this now or in the future, if you suspect a dealer is leading you astray on a build, go with your gut and definitely get a second opinion from another dealer. I sure am glad I did rather than settling for less than what I wanted!

Cheers,

Randy

redwngr · November 5, 2013

Probably with a different salesman you would have had the same experience at the first dealer.

What colour did you select? I see there are 6 available for Denali now.

fenster88 · November 5, 2013

I went with Sonoma Red. Black was tempting, and that Iridium is kind of neat, but I kept coming back to the red.

I spent so much time over the past month cruising dealership lots obsessing over features and colors that I'm surprised no one called the police on me.

jcchevy · November 14, 2013

UPDATE:

So I went to another dealership today, and had a completely different experience. I told the salesman what the first dealer said about the Bose system, and he basically said that is crazy. This salesman was able and willing to build a truck any way I wanted within the normal constraints.

What I didn't mention in my original post was that when I inquired about getting a Denali with the 5.3L engine, the first dealer told me that wasn't possible, 6.2L only on a Denali. When I pointed out that the GMC website and brochures listed the 5.3L as standard for the Denali with the 6.2L as an option, he replied nope, only the 6.2L on the Denali, that's one of the things that sets it apart from the other Sierras. He said it was a moot point anyway because he couldn't even order Denalis yet.

Needless to say he was full of it, or at least misinformed. My new dealer just shook his head when I told him about it. He ran some numbers for me and a couple potential builds, Denali and SLT (with Bose of course!)

So, I walked out of the new dealership with a 2014 4WD Crew Cab Standard Box Denali on order. More than I should be spending on a truck, but I decided you only live once. With GM employee discount and a couple vehicles to sell it should all work out fine.

Thanks for all of the advice and comments. To anyone reading this now or in the future, if you suspect a dealer is leading you astray on a build, go with your gut and definitely get a second opinion from another dealer. I sure am glad I did rather than settling for less than what I wanted!

Cheers,

Randy

congrats on your Denali order, you won't be disappointed. The real feature in my mind that sets the Denali apart is the 8" integrated display (only available with the Denali's) that makes you feel part of the truck as you drive it. Its SO much more then a simple display that shows some stuff. GM has done their homework and integrated it nicely. I can't really explain it, once you get some good time with it and use all its features you will be glad you got the Denali version, which is not much more then any other loaded SLT/All terrain version. Denali to me is just a SLT + version trim.

fondupot · November 14, 2013

SLT All Terrain, with 5.3L, buckets, and the premium Bose here.....

And just FYI, the Bose sound great and is EASILY upgradeable as a member on here has found. There is just a little lack of low end bass in the Bose system.

MotoMedic added a subwoofer to his Bose system and its as simple as tapping the oem sub wires, adding a LOC, getting an amp, woofer, and a box, then hooking it all up. Could probably be done for less than $500.