Hi guys. I've searched and read here and on other forums. Think I have myself convinced that I want a 7" screen unit like the Alpine w505 for my new '08 3500 LTZ that came with the 6-disk, bose, and no nav. Goals are this, not in any particular order: backup camera, satellite radio, ipod audio, bluetooth phone mic and speaker setup, navigation, and dvd video (to replace the portable dvd player that my wife uses on long trips).

At least in the small town I'm in, it's hard to find reasonable help or intallers that I'd trust, especially without feeling raped on all the extra stuff. So here's my question - could I actually do it? I'm not stupid, can follow directions, and am pretty hands on for some stuff, but have never really installed anything like this before. How do I find out exactly everything I need so I could do it in one session so I don't end up with a hole in the dash waiting for stuff I forgot to come in the mail? connectors, adaptors, mounting ring kits, extra whatevers...

And next question - how much will it actually cost in the end? The new alpine unit is pricing out at about $800 here before christmas. and the blackbird would be another $400-500. what can I expect for all the other stuff - PAC adapter for steering wheel controls and onstar compatibility I've read. Sirius or XM? (don't care which anymore). ipod? (comes with the 505 I think). backup cam? will I be okay with the bluetooth if I get the blackbird at the same time, or am I going to want the separate Alpine bluetooth stuff? kit or something to unlock the unit so it's fully functional while driving? trim ring or install kits or whatever else I need? Can I do it for less than $1500?

Thanks in advance for your response.

can you turn a screw or use a crimp connector

if so you can do it

not rocket science

its easy, just wiring really

...and you gotta chip out / cut out / do whatever you gotta do...to get some of the plastic trim INSIDE of the Dash, where the Stock Radio is. When you get the Stock Radio out and TRY to get the new one in, you'll see what I mean.

...unless it is going in your '08..then I don't know what needs to be done, but like others have said, yea, it's just pretty much wiring and such. Easy stuff.

so how do I get a list of exactly everything that I need? Anyone on here with experience that can help me with that?

thanks,
JL

in the audio FAQ it's suggested to use the PAC OS-2BOSE. Is that advice still current for the NBS?

Crutchfield suggests the Metra GMOS-LAN-02 which I assume does the same thing. Confused since it seems Crutchfield also sells PAC adapters, why they would suggest this one.

copied from the Crutchfield site: Installation Details for your 2008 Silverado
» Your vehicle is factory-equipped with an upgraded sound system. We strongly recommend that you purchase an adapter that maintains your factory door chimes (required for audible safety warnings), provides a switched 12-volt power source for your new radio, and allows you to continue using the OnStar feature. (Note: This adapter requires that your new radio have both front and rear preamp outputs.) You should not replace your factory radio without this adapter.
Metra GMOS-LAN-02 $149.99
» You must use the recommended Crutchfield integration adapter to retain the warning system chimes. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death.
» You'll lose your factory XM capability if you replace your factory radio.



thanks again,
JL

you can get the stuff cheaper from ebay or other places

you need basically the bose/onstar harness for a gm and the plastic install kit i cant remember the part number but other than that it should be crimp connect or solder and heat shrink the wires (preffered method) and cut that little bit plastic inside the dash down. oh and you need a atenna adapter. also you will need a sat radio tuner for your apline and if a antenna adapter for the gm oem sat radio atenna if you plan to reuse it (i would its cleaner looking) back up cams can be had for 30 bucks and if the radio has bluetooth your good there im not sure on that model. if not its adapter box just like the sat radio. same for the ipod it will be a external device or a 8 dollar cable depending on the radio. last but not least the pac steering wheel interface.

the pioneer f900bt could be a better choice idk cause it has navi bluetooth and the ipod controller sd lot and usb slot all built in.

its not too tough. i wouldnt recommend going through crutchfield, the are a little high as far as prices. its just a harness and the extra materials for your add ons. ^ these guys pretty much have it covered.

ok i looked online Alpine w505 has

ipod control and usb so all you need is the ipod cable (kce-422i)
you will still need a bluetooth device kce-350bt
and sat radio box depends on your service

plus all the misc stuff i listed

and the Alpine w505 is 759 bucks on ebay but do you have to buy the add on navi if so there are better options the f900bt like i said is under 600 bucks on ebay the screen is slightly smaller but has everything you need but the sat radio tuner itself.

for that kind of cash i would get something that already had nav in it

thanks but I think I'm willing to spend the extra bones for the 7" higher rez screen.

anyone know if the bluetooth on the blackbird alone will work okay or if I'll want the additional bluetooth components?

thanks.

the bluetooth will work it comes with the extra cables that will plug into the back of the radio for the mic and the antenna you will not need to buy a cable for the ipod it comes with it but if you wanted you can buy another cable and have a ipod and a iphone or another ipod hooked to it that is a cool feature. You will have to work on mic placement i have mine on my steering column but i think i need to move it. you will also need to get a video bypass if you want your wife to be able to watch a movie on it very easy to install if i were you i would get the adapters if you know how to solder put the harness together outside the truck on the kitchen table or something. i haven't done an 08 so i don't know if you will have to cut the support behind the factory radio but just a pair of cutters will cut it if you need to cut anything

okay next question... any chance that with the PAC adapter that I won't need to worry about xm and gps antennas? and assuming no, is there an easy way to do that so I can use the stock stuff and not have to run new ones to the roof?

thanks.

Unless you really need it, buy a portable nav unit for 3-400 bucks, so you can move it from car to car. I didn't bother putting in the steering wheel control, cause most of the stereos have a remote. Just one less thing to wire up.

thanks but I think I'm willing to spend the extra bones for the 7" higher rez screen.

anyone know if the bluetooth on the blackbird alone will work okay or if I'll want the additional bluetooth components?

thanks.

You'll love that thing. My buddy's got one and it's ridiculous. That pulse-touch screen blows people's minds.

Just throwing this out there, the Kenwood Excelon DNX8120 is supposed to be the best all in one unit out on the market right now. The GPS is not portable like the Blackbird, but the software is written by Garmin and it operates off a hard drive, plus it has all the additional features you are looking for. It selling for $1149 right now on Onlinecarstereo.com...Also, you will still need the security adapter, steering wheel control adapter(if wanted),antenna adapter, etc as mentioned above.

okay next question... any chance that with the PAC adapter that I won't need to worry about xm and gps antennas? and assuming no, is there an easy way to do that so I can use the stock stuff and not have to run new ones to the roof?

thanks.


you can use the stock xm i know no clue on the gps though

Just throwing this out there, the Kenwood Excelon DNX8120 is supposed to be the best all in one unit out on the market right now. The GPS is not portable like the Blackbird, but the software is written by Garmin and it operates off a hard drive, plus it has all the additional features you are looking for. It selling for $1149 right now on Onlinecarstereo.com...Also, you will still need the security adapter, steering wheel control adapter(if wanted),antenna adapter, etc as mentioned above.


i agree there or the pioneer z2

Dude, go have it installed. I had 3 boxes that came with mine aside from the head unit.. Plus, the wiring head ache, under the hood, running wire to subs, amp, Xbox... It is worth the 100 or 200 bucks for them to do it and have a warranty on the install.. If you cross a couple of wrong wires or touch a hot to the frame of any of those boxes... Poof, go get another 1000 dollar radio..

Ok. You will more than likely have to do a lot of trimming behind the radio. I found that a soldering iron works best for this, just melt it instead of cutting. Idk about this unit specifically and what it looks like on the back, but if there are a lot of rca's it will be a pain in the ASS to fit, and you better trim some of the metal back there also. That is the hardest part. Next comes to stuffing the adapters and wired back there and getting the radio to fit properly. It will take a while, so be patient. It took about 3 hours to get a KW 7120 installed in my truck without anything to go off of.

Also, make sure to go to the beer store before you start, b/c you will need it.

Heres a DIY Article at www.dieselhaulin.com

http://www.dieselhaulin.com/forums/articles-how-tos-reviews/1426-aftermarket-radio-install-alpine-iva-w505.html

Thanks nekkid, dieselholic, and others. I'm still fretting over the decision of what to get. And the more I look at it, deciding to have a professional install it.

Anyone have firsthand experience on the startup time of that F900BT Pioneer after the update? Or the Alpine or others for that matter? I'd have a backup camera hooked up and a slow start up would be frustrating.

thanks,
JL

The Alpine 505 start up time is around 4 or 5 seconds. You ought to be lettin your truck idle for longer than that anyway before you drive it. Give the oil time to circulate.

Any Deck that has an Internal HD is going to have a Longer than Normal Startup Time, you may not like that.

go alpine, you won't regret it

I just bought the alpine it is going to cost me 1500 to have every thing in stalled with amps deck subs and alarm with a few extras