Why won't this headunit work?

black&grayHD · May 5, 2005

I spotted this headunit in a Crutchfield catalog and liked the way it looks. It's listed for GM/Chrysler dash openings, and they even show it in a GM dash:

Yet they say it won't fit in my truck I see the climate controls are for a '99-02 series truck, does that mean that it will fit beautifully in an older truck but not in the '03-up? Wiring problems, what? If they are correct, is there anyway to get it to work in mine? I don't much care for the slim aftermarket HUs or I'd go that route. Any info is appreciated

BRZ71 · May 5, 2005

It looks like a 1.5 DIN radio. I think the newer trucks use 2 DIN size radios.

1 DIN = standard aftermarket radio size, height and width

I really can't say for sure without the model number, bur from the pics that is what it looks like to me.

bballa · May 5, 2005

It is a 1.5 DIN unit. It fits nicely in my 2001 Silverado. Has lots of great features also. I don't know about it fitting in your 2004 however.

Frank S · May 5, 2005

It will work as long as you can find, or build, a proper mounting assembly and they have a wiring harness available.

You will need to tie the power wire into a constant though such as AC (what I did, it's dark brown) or ignition because at last check no one had a harness that adapted directly to the GM wiring which left your main power as a blank. Also you'll need to get the module for all of your chimes to work properly. I installed an Alpine CDa 9830 in mine but didn't go with the module because i hate door dings, chimes and general warnings with a passion so this was an easy way to solve the problem in my eyes.

BTW, the stereo i have in mine is the same size (1.5 DIN) as in my wife;s truck so I'm pretty sure you won't encounter any fitment issues if, like I said previously, there is an adapter kit available for it. Everything looked to be the same when I ripped them both apart.

MountaineerTom · May 5, 2005

I have one in my '99 as well, but like others I think the newer trucks have a slightly larger opening.

I love the head unit, it's very nice.

Pioneer DEH-P77DH head unit.

MountaineerTom · May 5, 2005

Oh yeah, I got mine at this site, Etronics.com a couple years ago. I did get the mounting kit and antenna adapter for it at Crutchfield though. The price for the head unit at Etronics is about $100 less. I can't remember what the shipping cost was, but I don't remember it being very high, and it got to my house within a week. I know Crutchfield sends mounting kits with it, but I saved a little bit of money in the long run getting the head unit at Etronics and the rest of the stuff at Crutchfield.

I also got one of these remote controls at a different time, but I got it Etronics.com instead of Crutchfield.

Good luck.

black&grayHD · May 6, 2005

Thanks for the link Tom, I'll have to check it out

Thanks for the info everybody, keep it coming

mmmikkke · May 6, 2005

If you're interested in having a cb also, stop before you use up that space unnecessarily... You can do this if you're handy and up for a minor challenge.

I mounted a decent single-din pioneer and a cobra 18wxst in the same opening, since the opening is double-din, I figured I should put 2 din's in it.

The cobra is about 1/8" wider than DIN but with some careful filing of the Metra Kit, it went right into the opening. Height was perfect.

Also had to remove the CB antenna plug from the back and wire on my own antenna plug, on a short cable. Details available if anybody asks...