Aftermarket head unit. Post your pics.

Daryl LBZ · February 21, 2016

My nexus 7 tablet as my head unit, with a Bluetooth remote to control the music.

https://youtu.be/FZICMlqkaf8

2014 Silverado 2WT CC Summit White 4.3L V6

DROPKICK Edition

IG: jorge_dropkick_rangel

Love the interior man!

mois93da · February 22, 2016

Alpine makes a 10" stereo just for the new solverado a now.

Price? $4k

jamesonjc · February 24, 2016

dropkick that is a cool install!

I have to admit the bluetooth controller embedded in the steering wheel is 10/10 idea/execution.

Good on ya man!

JC

Vuk · August 7, 2021

A little refresh of the topic for people who are interested; I just finished my setup. My original touchscreen started acting up - the bottom ~1" would sometimes be unresponsive to touch and I was getting frustrated by the lack of AndroidAuto features.

My setup summarized:

Ordered a double-DIN radio bezel
Had it cut on the waterjet for a larger screen
Filled up the side gaps due to bezel curvature with plastic weld putty
Sanded and repainted the bezel; paint I used turned out to be a little different from the cap but nevertheless I am OK with how it looks at the end
Used double-sided tape to secure an Android tablet in place and added a bracket for additional back support
Wired a USB charger from one of the circuits active with ignition
Sunk the CD player deeper to create space for the tablet
Tablet I used is a Samsung GalaxyTab A7 10.4" 2020 model with LTE

Summary of how I set everything up

Tablet is on all the time, this circumvents the need to wait for bootup and also allows vehicle tracking via location sharing
When the key is turned, charging begins, tablet must be unlocked only once, and will remain unlocked while vehicle in use (Smart Lock feature)
The screen will stay on while vehicle is in use, that is, while charging works (Android option)
The tablet connects via Bluetooth so all steering wheel commands are operational
When the key is removed and the door is opened, major music apps stop, and since there's nothing keeping the system from locking, it locks after 15 seconds
If tablet ever gets fully discharged and it needs a hard power-on (via power button), or there is a major I can access the button through a tiny hole with a SIM card ejection tool and press the button

Some pictures:

Bandit82ta · August 23, 2021

That looks great. I’d love to change mine but not sure if I’d rather spend on Alpine or a tablet.

taylormjones3 · August 24, 2021

On 8/7/2021 at 4:40 PM, Vuk said:

A little refresh of the topic for people who are interested; I just finished my setup. My original touchscreen started acting up - the bottom ~1" would sometimes be unresponsive to touch and I was getting frustrated by the lack of AndroidAuto features.

My setup summarized:

Ordered a double-DIN radio bezel

Had it cut on the waterjet for a larger screen

Filled up the side gaps due to bezel curvature with plastic weld putty

Sanded and repainted the bezel; paint I used turned out to be a little different from the cap but nevertheless I am OK with how it looks at the end

Used double-sided tape to secure an Android tablet in place and added a bracket for additional back support

Wired a USB charger from one of the circuits active with ignition

Sunk the CD player deeper to create space for the tablet

Tablet I used is a Samsung GalaxyTab A7 10.4" 2020 model with LTE

Summary of how I set everything up

Tablet is on all the time, this circumvents the need to wait for bootup and also allows vehicle tracking via location sharing

When the key is turned, charging begins, tablet must be unlocked only once, and will remain unlocked while vehicle in use (Smart Lock feature)

The screen will stay on while vehicle is in use, that is, while charging works (Android option)

The tablet connects via Bluetooth so all steering wheel commands are operational

When the key is removed and the door is opened, major music apps stop, and since there's nothing keeping the system from locking, it locks after 15 seconds

If tablet ever gets fully discharged and it needs a hard power-on (via power button), or there is a major I can access the button through a tiny hole with a SIM card ejection tool and press the button

Some pictures:

That's slick. Very creative. I'm curious on how the screen will hold up sitting in a vehicle forever. Are there any issues with removing the original screen? Did you just unplug the original and leave the connections behind the tablet? The only thing you would lose would be the radio i guess.

Vuk · September 9, 2021

I've kept the original components in order to get the truck's cab microphone and steering wheel commands without alterations. I've drawn the original touchscreen cables into the locked glovebox in case I need to make any adjustments to vehicle settings (which I normally never touch), but I can connect the original touchscreen there quickly. You don't really lose the FM radio (except for tuning), because you can always say "tune to 95.5 FM" (I honestly only use FM for drive-in theaters and voice command for this works great).

Edited September 9, 2021 by Vuk

superdave160 · September 18, 2021

I have a 2017 Silverado WT and replaced the factory I03 radio with an Alpine I209-GM radio. I replaced the steering wheel so that I had radio controls and installed a Denali display cluster at the same time. The Alpine doesn't communicate with the Denali cluster, but it does communicate with the BCM. I can display gauges and tire pressures on the Alpine display if I want. I can also connect my phone for Navigation and IHeart Radio. My backup camera connected to the Alpine and displays very clearly. You can also purchase a video module to control multiple video inputs. I recently purchased a camper and I'm going to install a camera on the back of the trailer and input the video on the Alpine. It's been 2 years since I installed it and I have had no issues with it.

I didn't go with a "double din" radio because I didn't want to cut the dash in order to fit the radio. I also don't like the way that the factory radios look. In my opinion, the Alpine looks much better.

josney · November 18, 2021

I first installed a Pioneer 4200NEX with the 7 inch screen but now I have the Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX 10.1 Floating screen unit. I love the unit so far. It can connect wi-fi, BT, wired/wireless CarPlay. Single DIN chassis and it was very easy to install.

System consist:

Pioneer 8600NEX

PAC RP5-GM51 Interface

Kenwood KFC-XP6902C 6x9 separates for the front stage

JBL Club 6420 4x6 for the rear stage

Pioneer GM-D1004 brick amp mounted under the passenger seat 100wx4

Rockford Fosgate P300-8P 300w powered subwoofer

Small system, but sounds awesome