Bose System?

bigdaddyict · May 31, 2004

I have an 03 silverado stock stereo setup with 2 speakers in the front door and one in the back door on each side. My stereo is stock with the cd and tape with the theft system. How do you determine if it is a bose system and if it is wheres the bose amp? Anyone switched out the stereo and is it very easy to bypass the security stuff and still have the door chime etc etc? I do not have on star if that matters.. Thanks In Advanced!!!

rhilton · May 31, 2004

I believe it's been said before, bose is a stereo place's worst nightmare. Nothing with a factory bose system is easy wired. With four speakers though, it's not a bose system. Usually, it'll say "bose" on the speaker grilles.

I've also heard horror stories about the 03 and later head units. But to keep everything normal and working if you get a head unit, you'll need these:

Receiver Harness

Receiver Mount

Antenna Adapter

"Keep Door Chime" Module

not to mention lots of stress...

Honestly, you should talk to wingnut about how to make a stocker sound like a dream. He'll tell you how.

Wingnut · June 1, 2004

How would you know? You havn't heard it.

Chances are, if you don't have OnStar, you don't have Bose. But like he said, it would be on the speaker grills, the head unit, and probably in at least two other places...They are proud (they shouldn't be) of that label.

I'm a strong proponent of keeping the stock head unit and changing out everything else...But I've had more than a few taken out of the truck when I wasn't looking, so maybe I'm just paranoid.

Swapping out a head unit is pretty easy these days, on these trucks. Just add a few bucks to the price of the head unit for wiring harness/adapter and slap it right in there. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon. Several people here have done it, and can help you troubleshoot if you run into problems.

maroonsilverado · June 1, 2004

yeah, bose, as with most other "premium" soundsystems, are overrated. good, high quality aftermarket car audio will blow bose out of the water.

rhilton · June 2, 2004

How would you know? You havn't heard it.

I saw it, and if it's put in there right, it has to sound good. Plus you have kickers

bigdaddyict · June 2, 2004

Thank you everyone!

04Silverado5.3 · July 26, 2004

I replaced my headunit and I have Bose/OnStar...and yes it's true that it's an installers nightmare. Believe me, they will charge extra for that crap too, but I highly recommend that you pay the extra money to get it done right. Only a very few individuals can effectively bypass it.

Wingnut · July 27, 2004

Oh, it's easy enough...It's just a PITA with all the adapters.

Not to mention, to keep your Onstar capability, most of the time, you have to keep the original head unit hooked up in the truck somewhere.

This is another reason I retained the factory head unit, and just replaced everything else.

Firetiger(MN) · July 27, 2004

So, is it possible to just swap the Bose headunit with an aftermarket?

I have Bose with no On-Star.

I also have an Alpine headunit laying around collecting dust.

ifhn166 · July 28, 2004

Everytime I see post regarding the Bose system, it refers to a 2003 or newer vehicle. I have a 2002 Denali with Bose and OnStar. Will I have the same issues when I get ready to replace? Actually, I would prefer to keep the stock look and just upgrade the speakers. Wingnut, if you would be so kind, explain what you've done to your system. How can I bypass the Bose?

gbishop · August 1, 2004

Yeah, I spent a relative fortune getting by the Bose mess. I have an aftermarket Sony HU with XM and just getting that going while retaining the door chime was fairly expensive. Unfortunately, you need to keep the door chime active to pass inpsection in Texas, I was told. After some shopping around, I found a place to install my Sony radio, XM tuner, and all of the other trimmings to keep me legal for $300 and that included a new XM antenna since i was too lazy to pull it out of my previous vehicle before trading it in. Now, on a side note, hooking up this aftermarket radio to the factory Bose speakers made them sound horrible! I knew that this was temporary since I had a couple of amps and some JL Audio product sitting at home. I imagine that if you replace the factory radio AND swap out the Bose, you will have better luck. BTW, I have an LS Tahoe and don't have OnStar...

hope this helps...