2005 GMC/Chevy Stereo Swap

stinkylinky · October 20, 2005

Hello all. I just replaced 2005 Sierra 1500 Single CD with 'brand new' 2005 Avalanche 6 Disk Head Unit. I have all functionality except for "CAL ERR" at start up and the button back lights never not turn on.

Had a buddy at a non-dealer repair shop and old software (up to 2003) try his Tek2, but he only got as far as replacing the VIN in the Av radio with my vin.

What else is needed to take my original RPO of UB0 up to the to 6 CD RPO of UC6?

I would like to approach the dealer with explicit instructions if available, since their typical response has been: Ask service, they say check with parts, parts says "don't think you can do that, check with service", etc etc .

Please help before my head spins off at the dealer!

GM-Tech · October 20, 2005

The dealer should be able to simply retrieve the info from the old radio with the Tech 2, take the Tech 2 to TIS 2000, select "Replace & Reprogam Module", select Radio, then select the various speaker/equalizer options you have and download the calibration to the Tech 2. Then take the Tech 2 to the vehicle, select service programming and then program module.

Sometimes, you need to know the part numbers, so if you can get the part number off the 6 CD radio you put in before you go to the dealer, that might help to speed things up if it's needed.

Specific enough?

stinkylinky · October 21, 2005

Specific enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks GM-Tech!

GM-Tech · October 23, 2005

Thanks GM-Tech!

I have to apolgize because this...

"The dealer should be able to simply retrieve the info from the old radio"

Should have said this...

"The dealer should be able to simply retrieve the info from the NEW radio"

One retrieves the info from the module one is going to program, not from the module being replaced.

3782steveo · October 29, 2005

Ok, GM-Tech, I'm trying to do something similar to my future son in law's 2004 2500 regular cab PU. It has the bottom end AM-FM radio in it, and I've got my old 6 disc changer out of my 2004 Silverado SS with Bose. I plug the 6 disc radio in on his truck, do the theft-lock bypass trick, and the radio plays, no problem except it has low volume. Can this head unit be programmed to his truck, or do we need a different head unit.

Thanks in advance.

GM-Tech · October 29, 2005

They are, as far as the radio is concerned, the same year/type vehicle, so I see no reason why it wouldn't work. I assume you also put in the bose amplifier along with the radio?

What is the "theft-lock bypass trick"??

3782steveo · October 29, 2005

No, I just plugged the radio in.

Theftlock by pass trick--plug radio in, start the truck, theft lock is displayed, turn ignition to accessory position, unplug radio, plug it back in, and it works. This is only useful for testing, as the next key cycle it goes back to locked.

I learned this useful little trick on the Chevy Avalanche forum when I changed out the six disc and put in the navigation head unit.

Do the regular cab trucks come with Bose? Do they make a CD player that is not Bose? Where would one find this unit. My Chevy parts guy says he can't differentiate between Bose and non-Bose in his catalogs. Will this head unit not work without installing a Bose amp? I know that in the extended cab trucks the Bose amp is under the console, but I've never heard of anyone putting one in a regular cab truck.

Thanks for your help.

curly · December 7, 2005

GM-Tech..... just found this thread so I'll ask another question concerning factory radios. Will a factory GM radio / CD with MP3 work in a 2005 GMC with the "standard" factory CD player? I did not know that GM offered a MP3 receiver until we got in a new Colorado at work that has it. What models / years is this being offered and would a MP3 receiver from a Colorado work in a GMC Sierra?