Radio Swap

regcab02HD · February 4, 2002

I currently have only a factory radio in my 2002 chevy 3/4 ton HD. My friend has a factory cd player from a 97 chevrolet. He wants $200 for it and I'm thinking about getting it.

Is $200 too much? Will it just plug in, or do I have to get something to make it work? Will it mess with the computer?

He was also trying to tell me it's better than an aftermarket cd player. Is this true. He was saying something like it doesn't skip and if your cd is scratched, it has something programed into it so you can't even hear where the cd is scratched.

chane · February 5, 2002

I currently have only a factory radio in my 2002 chevy 3/4 ton HD. My friend has a factory cd player from a 97 chevrolet. He wants $200 for it and I'm thinking about getting it.
Is $200 too much? Will it just plug in, or do I have to get something to make it work? Will it mess with the computer?

He was also trying to tell me it's better than an aftermarket cd player. Is this true. He was saying something like it doesn't skip and if your cd is scratched, it has something programed into it so you can't even hear where the cd is scratched.

$200 is probably reasonable.. I see them going for $180 - $200 frequently on eBay. He should be cutting you a better deal because he's a friend though.

I like the factory deck better.. Don't know about it playing scratched CD's though. It does turn up and down w/the RPM's (road noise).

It will plug right in and fit perfect. It should even use the same mounts if its a truck/suv. If not, just pull them off yours. The cars are a little different mounts, but same size hole.

You might check on eBay.. sometimes you can find a steal. Also check these forums in the for sale section. Many have upgraded to aftermarket decks.

chevy4x4trucks · February 5, 2002

I dont know about the anti-sratch thing, sounds like bull to me because it a cd is scratched the part is unreadable on anything, but that's just my thought.

The price seems a bit high. I got a CD Player w/ Remote Tape Deck out of a new Silverado for 75 bucks. It was the high end cd player to w/ the speed control volume. It was a simple install, just take out the old one and put in the new one.

CMNTMXR81 · February 5, 2002

A) Make sure that he unlocks and clears any Theftlock codes. Otherwise it's a task to unlock the radio at the dealer.

B) It may not directly mount into your new truck as the 97's had plastic side rails that mounted to the radio and then you slide the radio into the dash mount and it snapped into place. I haven't taken apart a newer one yet, so I'm not sure if it mounts the same. Either way, since these stereo's are used universally around different GM vehicles, the mounts can easily be swapped between radios should they be different.

C) I think the only thing your friend is refering to is the anti-skip mechanism of the CD player when traversing over rough terrain. This is a feature of any CD player though regardless of it being a factory unit or an aftermarket unit. A scratched CD will skip no matter what it's played on.

$200 is in the ballpark albeit on the higher side.

chane · February 5, 2002

B) It may not directly mount into your new truck as the 97's had plastic side rails that mounted to the radio and then you slide the radio into the dash mount and it snapped into place. I haven't taken apart a newer one yet, so I'm not sure if it mounts the same. Either way, since these stereo's are used universally around different GM vehicles, the mounts can easily be swapped between radios should they be different.

I've had both my 2000 & 2001's out and they have the same plastic snap in rails my '95 had.

CMNTMXR81 · February 5, 2002

Cool, then he shouldn't have a problem.

It was just getting the dash apart that was a pain.

NeXuS1 · February 5, 2002

let me get this right... 200 dollars for a STOCK radio? way too much for stock.. stock is evil. replace it with a nice aftermarket deck you'll be happier. well, i would. i cant stand stock.

CMNTMXR81 · February 6, 2002

Unfortunately, the aftermarket doesn't make units that look factory and that's something many (including myself) don't like.

The factory unit is pretty good, it has three things that are bad;

1) Variable potentiometer that cuts bass levels as volume is turned up to protect speakers, this leads to #2).

2) cheap speakers.

3) 10ohm impedance

All one needs to do though is invest a little cash in an amp and some better speakers and you can keep the stock headunit and still get spme pretty decent sound out of your truck.

chevy4x4trucks · February 6, 2002

It was just getting the dash apart that was a pain.

Oh c'mon, I can get my radio in and out in about 5 minutes flat, it's easy. It took me about 20-30 mins to install mine, but most of that was finding a place to snake the wire to the remote tape deck, it was sort of a pain.

CMNTMXR81 · February 6, 2002

I wasn't referring to this one, I have yet to take it apart. More or less the 97 just didn't want to seem to come apart.

chevy4x4trucks · February 6, 2002

I wasn't referring to this one, I have yet to take it apart. More or less the 97 just didn't want to seem to come apart.

My mistake, then you'll be amazed at how easy it is. Just yank of the bezel and push down the tabs on the radio. Piece of cake.

CMNTMXR81 · February 6, 2002

Oh man!!!! Something easy, pass me the cigarette now!

David427 · February 7, 2002

Unfortunately, the aftermarket doesn't make units that look factory and that's something many (including myself) don't like.

The factory unit is pretty good, it has three things that are bad;

1) Variable potentiometer that cuts bass levels as volume is turned up to protect speakers, this leads to #2).

2) cheap speakers.

3) 10ohm impedance

All one needs to do though is invest a little cash in an amp and some better speakers and you can keep the stock headunit and still get spme pretty decent sound out of your truck.

Alpine makes a "GM" sized head unit.

The speakers in my 2500LT are not too bad. But I do miss the ADS speakers and Amp I had in my Dodge. If you want to know what truly bad speakers are in a truck take a ride in a Nissan Frontier.

CMNTMXR81 · February 7, 2002

Unfortunately, the aftermarket doesn't make units that look factory and that's something many (including myself) don't like.

The factory unit is pretty good, it has three things that are bad;

1) Variable potentiometer that cuts bass levels as volume is turned up to protect speakers, this leads to #2).

2) cheap speakers.

3) 10ohm impedance

All one needs to do though is invest a little cash in an amp and some better speakers and you can keep the stock headunit and still get spme pretty decent sound out of your truck.

Alpine makes a "GM" sized head unit.

The speakers in my 2500LT are not too bad. But I do miss the ADS speakers and Amp I had in my Dodge. If you want to know what truly bad speakers are in a truck take a ride in a Nissan Frontier.

I'm not referring to size but rather the "look." I happen to like the factory look and make modifications under the skin...very stealthy.

What system does the Frontier have. My friends 2001 Maxima has a kicking Bose system.