Nav Unit With Bluetooth

[dannyg2006]

My dad just bought a new Tahoe and wants to upgrade the factory Bose to a aftermarket nav unit that is compatible with an ipod, bluetooth capabilities for linking up his cell phone, and able to play DVD's. What is out there that can do all of that or is that even a possibility?

[jcs113]

My dad just bought a new Tahoe and wants to upgrade the factory Bose to a aftermarket nav unit that is compatible with an ipod, bluetooth capabilities for linking up his cell phone, and able to play DVD's. What is out there that can do all of that or is that even a possibility?

 

 

While I'm sure there are many different units capable of doing the tasks you mentioned, I would recommend taking a look at the Pioneer AVIC-D3. I chose to put one in my 06 Silvy and it's exactly what I wanted. I chose this model also for the fact that it is a fixed unit and fits in a double-din opening. And if you shop right and do the install yourself, it won't break the bank either. There is also a forum entirely designated for the AVIC line of Pioneer head units, avic411.com; do some searching and they can probably walk you through an install if you're interested in having at it yourself. There is a video demo of the D3 on Pioneers web site (pioneerelectronics.com).

 

Be sure to check out this thread too:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66504

 

My post is #13, i think.

 

Again, there are a number of units that can do these things, and I would definately recommend taking your time and doing some research in order to find the perfect unit for you. Alpine makes some great units too, but their add-ons to get all the features can get pretty spendy. I've also heard very good things about Kenwood units.

 

Good luck!

[dannyg2006]

thanks

[clc3251]

Kenwood DNX 7100. I did the install in my NBS Silverado. Very happy with the unit.

[suburban28]

I have an Avic-N2 that I had taken out of my 2002 GMC Sierra. I have a 2007 NBS Chevy Silvy that has the Bose and factory radio. I want to add the AVIC to my new truck but I am leary of losing the steering wheel controls, the onstar, and driver infofrmation center. If I dd the AVIC will I have to add the xm antennae or is there a way to use the one on the truck currently? Has anyone added an aftermarket radio but retained all of the funtionallity of the OEM system? Thanks in advance.

[jcs113]

I have an Avic-N2 that I had taken out of my 2002 GMC Sierra. I have a 2007 NBS Chevy Silvy that has the Bose and factory radio. I want to add the AVIC to my new truck but I am leary of losing the steering wheel controls, the onstar, and driver infofrmation center. If I dd the AVIC will I have to add the xm antennae or is there a way to use the one on the truck currently? Has anyone added an aftermarket radio but retained all of the funtionallity of the OEM system? Thanks in advance.

 

 

I think you can do this without losing any functionality. I'm pretty sure the D3 I installed in my '06 would be similar to this type of install in your NBS. However, instead of using a $10 or $20 wiring harness specific for your vehicle, you will need a Metra GMOS interface (these are around $70-100, you have Bose so they may be a bit more). You will have to look these up and determine which one you need for your vehicle. They retain your door chimes, power with the key out of the ignition until you open a door, and onstar.

 

You can use a PAC SWI-PS (Pioneer-Sony) Steering Wheel Control adapter (your 07 should be the same..) for the use of your steering wheel controls. Just check to make sure your N2 has a wired steering wheel control input in the back. This would be your best bet, as PAC does make a module for those without, but it basically acts as a universal remote that you need to program, and a little sensor that needs to be able to transmit to the remote sensor on your receiver. (The D3 is wired and I'm sure the N2 is as well.) You will still have to program the interface even if it is wired, although this can give you the option of customizing the functions of your steering wheel controls (if you don't like the way they are for some reason).

 

With the addition of an aftermarket unit, I did not lose any functionality of the DIC. In order to interface your steering wheel control, you simply have to use a wire tap and attace a wire from the interface unit to a wire (the steering wheel control wire) coming from a harness located at the base of your steering wheel column. The DIC and stereo controls are seperate.

 

You will have to purchase an XM tuner (a small box mountable anywhere out of view) that is compatible with your N2. Since my free trial of XM has long expired and I wasn't very fond of the music selection played on XM, I choose to purchase a Sirius tuner instead. If you go with XM, I do think that some have been able to modify the antenna connector from your OEM antenna in order to use it with the aftermarket XM tuner. Your truck has a similar factory XM tuner box in it doing the same function; if you wish you could remove that unit and replace it with the new tuner box. If you are unable to use the OEM antenna with the new XM tuner, you will have to mount the provided XM antenna, usually on the roof of the truck.

 

Well this got kinda long but hopefully something helps..

[suburban28]

Thanks for the reply. I have all of the componets already and will have them installed at my local install shop. They called today and told me that my JL Stealthbox is in. My truck is only 8 days old so I guess that is why I am so hesitant.

[gregbj33]

I have an Avic-N2 that I had taken out of my 2002 GMC Sierra. I have a 2007 NBS Chevy Silvy that has the Bose and factory radio. I want to add the AVIC to my new truck but I am leary of losing the steering wheel controls, the onstar, and driver infofrmation center. If I dd the AVIC will I have to add the xm antennae or is there a way to use the one on the truck currently? Has anyone added an aftermarket radio but retained all of the funtionallity of the OEM system? Thanks in advance.

 

 

I think you can do this without losing any functionality. I'm pretty sure the D3 I installed in my '06 would be similar to this type of install in your NBS. However, instead of using a $10 or $20 wiring harness specific for your vehicle, you will need a Metra GMOS interface (these are around $70-100, you have Bose so they may be a bit more). You will have to look these up and determine which one you need for your vehicle. They retain your door chimes, power with the key out of the ignition until you open a door, and onstar.

 

You can use a PAC SWI-PS (Pioneer-Sony) Steering Wheel Control adapter (your 07 should be the same..) for the use of your steering wheel controls. Just check to make sure your N2 has a wired steering wheel control input in the back. This would be your best bet, as PAC does make a module for those without, but it basically acts as a universal remote that you need to program, and a little sensor that needs to be able to transmit to the remote sensor on your receiver. (The D3 is wired and I'm sure the N2 is as well.) You will still have to program the interface even if it is wired, although this can give you the option of customizing the functions of your steering wheel controls (if you don't like the way they are for some reason).

 

With the addition of an aftermarket unit, I did not lose any functionality of the DIC. In order to interface your steering wheel control, you simply have to use a wire tap and attace a wire from the interface unit to a wire (the steering wheel control wire) coming from a harness located at the base of your steering wheel column. The DIC and stereo controls are seperate.

 

You will have to purchase an XM tuner (a small box mountable anywhere out of view) that is compatible with your N2. Since my free trial of XM has long expired and I wasn't very fond of the music selection played on XM, I choose to purchase a Sirius tuner instead. If you go with XM, I do think that some have been able to modify the antenna connector from your OEM antenna in order to use it with the aftermarket XM tuner. Your truck has a similar factory XM tuner box in it doing the same function; if you wish you could remove that unit and replace it with the new tuner box. If you are unable to use the OEM antenna with the new XM tuner, you will have to mount the provided XM antenna, usually on the roof of the truck.

 

Well this got kinda long but hopefully something helps..

 

 

 

Hey Joe,

I have the d3 sitting in my basement waiting to be installed, that was installed in my f150. I have an 07 yukon and you pretty much answer almost all my questions. The only other one, is I have the rear dvd system with the slot built into the factory in dash unit. can i somehow hook the d3 to the flip down screen so when i play a dvd in the d3(i have the bypass mod wired) it will show on the flip down. Also can you be a bit more specific about installing the steering wheel control module(which module number) as that is the other issue making me hesitant. Any additional info you have will be greatly appreciated.

[jcs113]

As for your steering wheel controls:

 

The steering wheel interface you will need is called the PAC SWI-PS. This unit is specific for the brand of head unit you have. It's application is universal to the vehicle make and model. You can find this unit by scrolling down on this page:

 

http://www.pac-audio.com/products/productsCatagory.asp?mmSearch=Steering%20Wheel%20Interface

 

 

 

The installation of the unit is fairly simple. You will need to hook up three wires from the interface unit. You will need a ground and switched power as well as the wire that actually interfaces the wire that controls your steering wheel functions. I looked up the application guide specific for your vehicle. Here it is:

 

http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogramming/showstepbystep.asp?RadioGroupPioneer=1&InterfaceChecked=3&mmSearch=Chevrolet&Submit2=Search+Vehicles&ID=514

 

 

 

As I mentioned before, once it is hooked up you will need to program it. Some find this step to be the most troublesome. With some patience it really isn't that bad.

 

Your DVD monitor shouldn't be too much of an issue. My guess is that the monitor already has a video input coming from the factory head unit. Hopefully, this is a standard RCA connection. In this case you could simply remove the video output from the factory unit and connect it to the rear video out from the D3. If the connectors are not RCA, some other type of connection must have to be made, whether it be tapping into the video input for the monitor or finding some type of specific connnector. I wish I could be of more help with this one. If you find a solution please post it as I'm sure others share the same concern. If you have other questions I may be able to answer feel free to ask. I too was a bit weary of performing this type of install in my new truck.

[suburban28]

Truck is at the installers right now having the JL Stealthbox and JL 250/1 installed. Decided to not install the Avic-N2 yet because I am going to sell it and purchase a Avic-D3. I feel a lot better about the install after all of you guys told me I would not lose any funtionality. Thanks.

[gregbj33]

As for your steering wheel controls:

 

The steering wheel interface you will need is called the PAC SWI-PS. This unit is specific for the brand of head unit you have. It's application is universal to the vehicle make and model. You can find this unit by scrolling down on this page:

 

http://www.pac-audio.com/products/productsCatagory.asp?mmSearch=Steering%20Wheel%20Interface

 

 

 

The installation of the unit is fairly simple. You will need to hook up three wires from the interface unit. You will need a ground and switched power as well as the wire that actually interfaces the wire that controls your steering wheel functions. I looked up the application guide specific for your vehicle. Here it is:

 

http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogramming/showstepbystep.asp?RadioGroupPioneer=1&InterfaceChecked=3&mmSearch=Chevrolet&Submit2=Search+Vehicles&ID=514

 

 

 

As I mentioned before, once it is hooked up you will need to program it. Some find this step to be the most troublesome. With some patience it really isn't that bad.

 

Your DVD monitor shouldn't be too much of an issue. My guess is that the monitor already has a video input coming from the factory head unit. Hopefully, this is a standard RCA connection. In this case you could simply remove the video output from the factory unit and connect it to the rear video out from the D3. If the connectors are not RCA, some other type of connection must have to be made, whether it be tapping into the video input for the monitor or finding some type of specific connnector. I wish I could be of more help with this one. If you find a solution please post it as I'm sure others share the same concern. If you have other questions I may be able to answer feel free to ask. I too was a bit weary of performing this type of install in my new truck.

Hey Thanks again for another great post. Yeah im hoping the monitor is connected through an RCA plug, that would b sweet. Can you explain the process in getting the stereo out. Do I need any tools and where does the unit actually come out at, at the black section or does the bushed aluminum surround come off. I will probably be buying the harnesses through Crutchfield and I know they will send some instructions

 

Thanks in advance.

Greg

[AgDoctor]

As far as I know, and I am pretty much sure of this, you cannot get a factory unit that is bluetooth. Not chevy anyways, but if I am wrong and I hope I am that would be ballin! I was just thinking that a bluetooth feature would be cool. I have the onstar phone plan with verizon and i like it but sometimes it has a hard time dialing out.

[jcs113]

Hey Thanks again for another great post. Yeah im hoping the monitor is connected through an RCA plug, that would b sweet. Can you explain the process in getting the stereo out. Do I need any tools and where does the unit actually come out at, at the black section or does the bushed aluminum surround come off. I will probably be buying the harnesses through Crutchfield and I know they will send some instructions

 

Thanks in advance.

Greg

 

As much as I would like to, I don't have an answer for you.. I have the older body style and am completely unfamiliar with the new ones. Every vehicle I do an install in is like a new adventure... But as you know Crutchfield is great to work with and I'm sure they will have some detailed instructions for you.

[kritter9992]

Thanks for the reply. I have all of the componets already and will have them installed at my local install shop. They called today and told me that my JL Stealthbox is in. My truck is only 8 days old so I guess that is why I am so hesitant.

i have the stealthbox, in my nbs ltz, its awesome! i also thimk the alpine iva w205 with the blackbird 2 unit is worth a look at