upgrade non-bose to bose-lux???

deanwwebb · June 1, 2006

Hi, I have an 06 Tahoe with the non-bose radio/cd/8spkr system. I would like to upgrade to the bose-lux system. I know the difference between the lux and non-lux in older years, but I don't know if the factory option for the bose system for this model year was the lux or non-lux. The confusion is that the non-lux was a "dump amp" and the lux was the digital "smart amp" (ie it takes signals from the radio head when the user adjusts vol, tone, fade etc., and thus the radio head was a required component of the "lux" system) and the GM brocure for the 06 tahoe stated that the Bose system included a "digital 6-channel" amp.

Note that my truck does not have the center console and thus I would have to locate the amp and sub in another location, since it is my understanding that they are normally installed in the console. I can handle custom work like this, but I would need help in figuring pin-outs and location of certain wiring such as the Class-II bus. I realize that my speakers are not Bose, so I would have to upgrade them as well (although it probably doesn't need to be Bose). I believe that the rear pillar speakers are wired in parallel with the read door speakers and thus they would need to be directly wired into the amp. I would also need help with compatable amp and radio head part numbers.

So basically, I would like to know:

1) Is the '06 Tahoe Bose option the "lux" amp?

2) Can I upgrade to the Bose lux system?

3) Has anyone seen a "how-to" ariticle on doing such an upgrade?

Thanks ALOT, Dean

jdouthit · June 1, 2006

Hi

There is help for this as it has been talked about in detail on this board. I can't seem to find the link, but it has about 35 pages in it and gives you wiring diagrams and pinout locations. If you can find it the information will be in there.

Hope it helps

Jerry

gltech · June 1, 2006

I think this is the one Jerry's talking about. I know it covers Bose non-lux to lux, but I don't know about non-Bose to Bose.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28030

jdouthit · June 1, 2006

Yes that's it.......

deanwwebb · June 2, 2006

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the link, but I think that 'linda' had the bose non-lux and upgraded to NAV/CDX/LUX system. My goal is less ambitious, but maybe not likely either if it turns out that without the Bose system from the factory, I may be missing a ton of wiring???

Thus, I am still in search of answers to my original questions if anyone out there can help me?

Thanks,

Dean

gltech · June 2, 2006

Dean,

If you look at post #20 here:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28030

linda says

the BOSE system is a MUST! you have to have BOSE audio system from the get go. If not...you will spend WAY to much for the retrofit.

That's not my words -- I'm just pointing that out.

As far as your original questions:

1) Is the '06 Tahoe Bose option the "lux" amp?

From everything I've read, I doubt it. Seems the "lux" only comes on escalades and denalis. But they say there would be a Y91 or Y92 option code in the glove box if it is.

2) Can I upgrade to the Bose lux system?

I'm sure anything's possible. I just wonder if a non-Bose system even has an amp. That may be why linda said what she did -- you might have to add the amp and all the associated wiring.

3) Has anyone seen a "how-to" ariticle on doing such an upgrade?

I'm sorry, but the link I posted before is the only thing I know that's close.

Glenn

deanwwebb · June 2, 2006

Hi Glenn,

Thanks for the post. The non-Bose option does not have an amp. I understand that older model Bose non-lux had a 4 channel analog amp while the Lux option had a 6 channel digital amp. Since the '06 Tahoe brochure stated that the Bose option was a 6-channel digital amp, it seems that they could have installed such a system in that truck and thus MAYBE there is some portion of the wiring in place already??? Man it sure would have been better if I could have found an 06 with this option, but by the time I bought it there were almost no 06s left!

Dean

jdouthit · June 8, 2006

Dean

Here is a turn key system from JP Customs that I have be thinking about. It is a little pricey but come with or they have available all parts you need. Here is the link

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=359

Jerry

gltech · June 12, 2006

I wonder how the JP system works on a non-bose vehicle? Don't those TNR head units (lux or non-lux) require an amp?

Dean, I'd make sure before buying.

Glenn

jdouthit · June 12, 2006

Yes they would require an amp, but it state for non bose and bose systems. So I would recommend given them a call.

Thanks

Jerry

duramaxHD · June 13, 2006

Hi Glenn,

Thanks for the post. The non-Bose option does not have an amp. I understand that older model Bose non-lux had a 4 channel analog amp while the Lux option had a 6 channel digital amp. Since the '06 Tahoe brochure stated that the Bose option was a 6-channel digital amp, it seems that they could have installed such a system in that truck and thus MAYBE there is some portion of the wiring in place already??? Man it sure would have been better if I could have found an 06 with this option, but by the time I bought it there were almost no 06s left!

Dean

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yep, as you said 2003+ non-Bose systems utilize an amp internal to the head unit itself. 2003+ non-lux Bose amps use a 6 channel analog amp. Front left, front right, rear left, rear right, and left/right sub channels. (sub is a dual voice coil driver) Rear speakers are full range, front speakers are full range, the pillar tweeters are wireid in parallel with the front door speakersa nd have an inductance capacitor wired in to act as an el-cheapo cross over so the tweets only get high freqeuncy sounds. Sub gets only low frequency stuff, there is a passive crossover inside the amp.

2003+ lux systems use the exact same speakers and sub as a non-lux system, but they use an 8 channel "digital" amp. front left, front right, rear left, rear right, 2 sub channels, and a left rear twiddler and right rear twiddler. The amp has an internal DSP, active crossovers, and a DLC chip so it can communicate and be controlled by the Class II data bus. rear speakers are full range, but have a low freq cut out. Front speakers have a low end cut too, and are rolled off into the sub. They are not full range. Sub is crossed over to perfectly match the front door speakers. Tweeters are wired the same, with the capacitor acting as a x-over. Rear twiddlers (d-pillar speakers) are crossed over in the amps DSP so they only get high sounds. Lux amp is much more pwoerful with better quality circuits. 50 watts RMS per channel at 2ohms per channel, twiddlers are 15 watts, 2 ohms, sub is 100 watts (50 per coil), 2 ohms. Yes, thats what the lux amp is, its not a big Bose secret anymore.

2006 Tahoes did not have the option for a lux amp, it was probably a typo. Only vehicles to come from the factory with a lux amp were the 2003+ Escalades and Denali's, the 2003+ Sierra Denali, and 2003-early 2004 Hummer H2's. Early 2004 H2's switched toa non-lux amp due to problems they had getting the lux amps to play nice in an H2 chassis (non c/k chassis) for some reason.

Any 2003+ Bose system, non-lux or lux can have the lux amp added to it. No additinal wiring is needed. All you have to do is rewire the amp connectors (pull the pins out and put them in different positions) and reprogram the head unit, and plug the lux amp in. Reprogram the head unit BEFORE you plug the Lux amp in/rewire the amp connectors. You have been warned.

.

jlrich · January 19, 2007

Okay. I've read a lot about the lux amp upgrade with the TNR, but what if I don't upgrade to the TNR and keep my existing in-dash 6 disc /XM, OS and RDS. My '03 SLT LX has the std. bose amp and if I want to upgrade to the lux amp will the head unit need reprogrammed along with changing the amp wiring harness? Or is there more involved?