Oe 02' gmc sierra 2500hd slt radio replacement questions

johnnybravo · June 15, 2017

Hello all,

Hopefully someone outhere has great knowledge of this subject and can help me out.

So i have a 2002 sierra 2500 HD slt 4x4 6.0 and i never swapped out the OE radio but now im ready to upgrade. The new radio i was just getting ready to order is: Kenwood KDC-X998, found it at a resonable price but upon ordering i got hit with some questions, i was asked if i have on-star (yes- not activated), asked if i have steering wheel fuctions (no) asked if it was the orginal OE sterio (yes) then told me i need a special box/wire harness at a cost of $80.00 whick blew my mind. I know absolutely nothing about audio equipment or electronics for that matter and dont know if he was just pusshing a product i could get by without or telling the truth , he told me ..quote" since your truck has on-star you will need this OS-1 cable harness and box otherwise the door chime will go crazy, your alarm will go off at random times as well as other complications".

Can any of you please confirm, do i need this in order to install successfully an after market sterio. Please tell me what i need/have to have in order to replace the factory radio and install this kenwood KDCX998, i appreciate any and all help with this subject matter. Truck does have on-star but i never had it activated, truck has the basic OE car alarm with key fob, does not have any functions on steering wheel such as radio controls or any others , pretty basic, i dont even have back up camera or navigation do i really need this expensive wire harness called OS1 That has some kind of little box ?

Thanking you in advance.

J.

LM47 · June 19, 2017

Im in the process of doing this right now on my 03 Silverado 2500 HD which it has a Bose system. I purchased an interface box that makes your new aftermarket stereo connect to the rest of the trucks sound harness. I also learned that this bose set up controls all the chimes, turn signal sounds etc. I payed $120 for the stupid box and ofcouse had to buy the harnes that connects to it to make it work. I also learned that if you bypass the bose amp and wire it straight to the speakers it wont work or will sound bad. I guess it all has to work in conjunction with the amp and will have to make your stereo work with it too.

Hope this helps you .

Arth · June 19, 2017

So I just finished upgrading my 2006 Avalanche which has the factory bose to an aftermarket head unit.

I bought a Pioneer head unit. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-6-2-built-in-bluetooth-in-dash-cd-dvd-dm-receiver-black/5603701.p?skuId=5603701

I also bought this harness thing... it was very easy to install. The two factory radio plugs, plugged into this and it has a dial you set for steering wheels control to match the radio you are putting it. It also has a emergency brake wire which your new radio will need and output for nav, reverse, and other things.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pac-radiopro5-radio-interface-multi/3844378.p?skuId=3844378&productCategoryId=

So to answer your question.. yes you need a harness. I like the one I bought. You need it because your OEM radio is also your door chimes, has some interface with the security system, and other things.

As far as install it was very, very easy. If you know anything about wiring then the rest is gravy. The radio I linked came with the radio and a wire harness. The interface harness has matching colors to the radio harness so you just wire them together. Once you've done that, and set the dial to match your new radio, you stuff everything behind the dash and plug it in. Works perfect.

Arth · June 19, 2017

Also this video helped give me an idea of what this harness does.

Hello all,
Hopefully someone outhere has great knowledge of this subject and can help me out.
So i have a 2002 sierra 2500 HD slt 4x4 6.0 and i never swapped out the OE radio but now im ready to upgrade. The new radio i was just getting ready to order is: Kenwood KDC-X998, found it at a resonable price but upon ordering i got hit with some questions, i was asked if i have on-star (yes- not activated), asked if i have steering wheel fuctions (no) asked if it was the orginal OE sterio (yes) then told me i need a special box/wire harness at a cost of $80.00 whick blew my mind. I know absolutely nothing about audio equipment or electronics for that matter and dont know if he was just pusshing a product i could get by without or telling the truth , he told me ..quote" since your truck has on-star you will need this OS-1 cable harness and box otherwise the door chime will go crazy, your alarm will go off at random times as well as other complications".
Can any of you please confirm, do i need this in order to install successfully an after market sterio. Please tell me what i need/have to have in order to replace the factory radio and install this kenwood KDCX998, i appreciate any and all help with this subject matter. Truck does have on-star but i never had it activated, truck has the basic OE car alarm with key fob, does not have any functions on steering wheel such as radio controls or any others , pretty basic, i dont even have back up camera or navigation do i really need this expensive wire harness called OS1 That has some kind of little box ?
Thanking you in advance.
J.

johnnybravo · June 19, 2017

Ok,

I hear you all but,again......i do NOT have the bose set up, my sytem did NOT come with steering wheel controls or bose radio/speakers. As i read all of your replies i notice each of you DO have the bose, so my question is still this......

Do i need that special harness That controls the chimes even if my system is factory and does NOT have those things.

I called Crutchfield and ordered my Kenwood KDCX998 from them, when placing the order i told how the rep that was taking my order from the first place i called said i needed that special harness and since it didnt feel right i didnt place the order with them and now wanted to know that same thing from Crutchfield, his answer was "NO" i only needed that "OS 1" box/harness if my truck came factory equipped with the bose sytem/amp and steering wheel functions. So there you have it, 2 different places, 2 different answers! I went ahead and placed the order for the kenwood and for everything he said i will need will be included according to that rep from Crutchfield so i will find out i guess. im experiencing the delivery today sometime.

I would still like to know the answer, im sure im not the only person who has an 02' GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado and does NOT have the bose system or steering wheel functions that eventually upgraded there sterio system and know if that box/harness for the chimes is needed or not.

Again, i know if you have bose system and or steering wheel fuctions you do need it....i get that, i fully understand, but what about those of us who do NOT?

Thanks everyone, i appreciate you taking intrest in this subject and i appreciate your replies, my Kenwood KDCX998 is expected to be delivered today (Monday) and i really need an answer from someone who has same year/make/model truck if possible and did an upgraded without needing that box/harness thing.

Thanks again.

Arth · June 19, 2017

Sorry I wasn't clear. It doesn't matter if you have Bose or not you need a harness. The OEM radio provides some of the chimes and other stuff that will be lost. Not to mention your aftermarket radio will not plug into your OEM connectors.

Plain and simple, Bose or not, you need a harness.

Ok,

I hear you all but,again......i do NOT have the bose set up, my sytem did NOT come with steering wheel controls or bose radio/speakers. As i read all of your replies i notice each of you DO have the bose, so my question is still this......

Do i need that special harness That controls the chimes even if my system is factory and does NOT have those things.

I called Crutchfield and ordered my Kenwood KDCX998 from them, when placing the order i told how the rep that was taking my order from the first place i called said i needed that special harness and since it didnt feel right i didnt place the order with them and now wanted to know that same thing from Crutchfield, his answer was "NO" i only needed that "OS 1" box/harness if my truck came factory equipped with the bose sytem/amp and steering wheel functions. So there you have it, 2 different places, 2 different answers! I went ahead and placed the order for the kenwood and for everything he said i will need will be included according to that rep from Crutchfield so i will find out i guess. im experiencing the delivery today sometime.

I would still like to know the answer, im sure im not the only person who has an 02' GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado and does NOT have the bose system or steering wheel functions that eventually upgraded there sterio system and know if that box/harness for the chimes is needed or not.

Again, i know if you have bose system and or steering wheel fuctions you do need it....i get that, i fully understand, but what about those of us who do NOT?

Thanks everyone, i appreciate you taking intrest in this subject and i appreciate your replies, my Kenwood KDCX998 is expected to be delivered today (Monday) and i really need an answer from someone who has same year/make/model truck if possible and did an upgraded without needing that box/harness thing.

Thanks again.

johnnybravo · June 19, 2017

So with the sytem i purchased, i also got what the rep said i needed in order to do a successful install which is NOT part of the contents in the radio box; but in fact separate items such as: antenna ext, wire harness and something else i just cant think off. so if what your telling me is ...NO, i don't need that specific box/harness that bose equipped vehicles needs for install but, i do need A seperate harness in general.....it that correct????

So if that is correct, i should be good to go with what Crutchfield is sending me for install, its actually separate from the radio package. A must have to do install.

Sorry for the confusion, its just the first place i called to order the Kenwood, he said i had to have that expensive ($185.00) box/harness (OS-1) for the chimes Even after i specifically answered "NO" when he asked if my truck was equipped with the bose system, steering wheel fuctions,my gut said i should double check with Crutchfield, when i did he asked the same excat stuff but never mentioned that (OS1) harness so i had to ask him, i told him i did have ON STAR but none of the other stuff, he said i didnt need that OS1 harness but needed this other kit that contains all i need for installing and was it was thrown into my overall purchase.

So i have one place saying i have to have it, another place says no, i dont need it for my vehical and that lead me to eventually posting on GMT Trucks hopefully to get someone who knows for sure.

So if you could 100% tell me, do i need that OS1 HARNESS?

I know i need "A" harness but just not that special (OS1) harness for chimes related to bose systems and steering wheel fuctions right? ?? LOL, uh, what a pain...LOL, i just want some sounds in my truck. Please clear this up for me, my delivery shoukd be here any hour today and want to start installing it directly.

HagiborChayil · June 30, 2017

Unless I am missing something GM started the class-2 data system in 2003 which is when they stated running the chimes through the radio. Are you sure you have a 2002?

As a professional in the car install industry my question for you would be what does the harness look like on the back of that radio