Just finished my LUX nav install with the remote 6 cd changer. I would like to thank C.A.P. for his experience and explanation on how its accomplished, the guys over at the avalanche forum,smshiver and his excellent D.I.Y. article, and most of all Big Ben DURAtotheMAX for responding very quickly to my half a dozen email questions.Ben is extremely knowledgeable on this modification and very helpful.

I soldered all of the cdx wire harness connections and the VSS wire, so it took a little more time than using the scotchloc connectors.Other than that the mod went very smooth and the most frustrating part was tightening those forward bolts on the LUX amp.Should have drilled those holes and saved the knuckles.:rolleyes:

When everything was wired up, I connected the battery and turned on the radio.The DELPHI logo appeared on the screen and the radio worked great. The next day I finished installing the dash, console parts and remaining trim pieces.Started the truck, the DELPHI logo appears, pulled it out of the garage and I'm thinking why didn't the theftlock activate.Shut the ignition off,start it back up and this time the GMC logo appears! This was definately a used unit out of an escalade. Does anybody know what happened?? Did the nav unit relearn the V.I.N on its own?? :D
I'm not complaining but I was counting on a trip to the TECH 2 MAN.

The LUX sound is a huge improvement and the only problem I have is keeping the dern truck on the road because I'm messing with the touchscreen instead of watching the road!!

I've posted some pictures that may help someone do their own installation.

Here are the rest of the installation pictures.

AWESOME PICTURES MIKE!!!! That will really help out a lot of people. Thanks for the little shout out too!!:D Im really glad I was able to help. I think I am going to post my whole "book" in the DIY section. Would it be OK with you if I added some of your pictures to the big long instruction post?? I would give you full credit of course. I seem to be getting emails left and right asking about the nav install and it just occured to me to write a post in the DIY section. I still cant figure out why your Theftlock just took a walk randomly!

---Ben

Maybe the touchscreen unit is that smart.....

or you just got plain lucky!

As far as the Nav system is concerened are the Hwys and Byways allready programed into the unit? Can more be added if need be? Does it use the Onstar to give directions?
Is a monthly or yearly fee involved? Are these only good for bigger cities(as far as directions on roadways) Am i right in thinking that it should be as effective if used in Canada? Sorry for all the questions but i really like the look of that setup in the dash.

If the amp and HU came from the same vehicle, you may have the old vin still in memory. Just speculating

I used a small switch I located on the bin shown. The VSS lead is wired through it. So if you are on the road, at speed, you can defeat the VSS and reprogram on the fly, which you can't do now. This was a safety feature I didn't like.

The nav is only as good as the most recent DVD map you use, no cost to use it, courtesy of the USAF.

AWESOME PICTURES MIKE!!!! That will really help out a lot of people. Thanks for the little shout out too!!:D Im really glad I was able to help. I think I am going to post my whole "book" in the DIY section. Would it be OK with you if I added some of your pictures to the big long instruction post?? I would give you full credit of course. I seem to be getting emails left and right asking about the nav install and it just occured to me to write a post in the DIY section. I still cant figure out why your Theftlock just took a walk randomly!

---Ben
Ben
By all means use the pictures, thats what their there for. Problem is, I had to shrink them about 70% and that made them cloudy. So when you get ready to do your article, give me a yell and I will send the full size pics your way.
MIKE

Nice clean install, looks good :ro)

And a big thank you to DuratotheMax Ben who came over yesterday to help me do the Lux-amp/Nav-unit/CDX/XM/IPOD upgrade to my truck. :exactly: :phatyo:

In the end everything was wired correctly and the sound was excellent, using Ben's CDX and HU.

Now I just have to wait to get my NAV unit back from the repair shop that I bought on E-scambay and find a new CDX player as that E-scambay item didn't work either.

DD

.

Dieselbreath,

Can you elaborate on the CD changer install. I see the picture where you saw out the cubby but after sliding the changer in, how do you secure it? The changer I have has the plastic clip locks on the sides. Do these need to be removed? Did your changer have them?

And thanks for all the pictures. They are worth a thousand!

Diesel breath good work, the Nav unit does work in Canada as I just got back this weekend, nice install,(now you need some subs):rocking:

Nice pictures. That will come in handy when I put in the NAV unit. Did you pull the dash for the antenna install? I seem to remember others getting it done without taking the dash off. The forward amp fasteners were a pain! I got it done by removing the screws that hold the metal cage like thing that is in the way and I could move it backward enough to get a look at the screws and take them out with a wrench. I popped out the little plastic “nuts” and reused them in the holes that lined up with the LUX amp. Access holes would have saved a lot of time!

Yup, you gotta pull the dash...if you need any other help or hints (like how to get that big huge awkward dash piece off!)...im posting my nav install "mega-book" in a little while...

---Ben

Oh boy! Did you have to make a hole for the support thingy on the back of the nav unit? The radio I have now is the single disk and cassette player.

Nope, the nav radio drops right in...exact same size and dimensions as any other GM double DIN radio. Your radio has that same support pin on it. The only drilling "custom" work is if you want to add a CD changer in the lower console, like the Denali's and Escalade's have.

--Ben

Thanks, that makes more sense. I will have to pick up a six disk changer down the road. CAP talked me into the under seat subs so… Plus, I have my toggle switch for the TTS tucked in that compartment right now. I like it there because it is kind of stealth like.

Just a little tip...when you add subs to the LUX system (I assume you are converting to the LUX system when you do the nav), you can do it 2 ways. Start out with a good quality Line Output Converter hooked up to the sub outputs on the Lux amp. Make sure to get a 2 channel LOC because the Bose sub is a dual voice coil unit and therefore has 2 outputs. If that does not provide you with good sound, use a PAC C2A-GM24 adapter. It hooks up to the radio and intercepts the pure clean audio signals from the radio and then varies the volume of the signals according to the Class II data volume signal (amp volume is controlled via the Class II data bus on LUX systems...you dont get a volume-variable signal straight out of the head unit) and then gives you standard RCA plugs that you can hook up to your aftermarket amp/subs. It is a really nice unit/adapter, but costs about 70 dollars on ebay. I think JP Customs has it for about 80 IIRC.

----Ben

Nice clean install, looks good :ro)

And a big thank you to DuratotheMax Ben who came over yesterday to help me do the Lux-amp/Nav-unit/CDX/XM/IPOD upgrade to my truck. :exactly: :phatyo:

In the end everything was wired correctly and the sound was excellent, using Ben's CDX and HU.

Now I just have to wait to get my NAV unit back from the repair shop that I bought on E-scambay and find a new CDX player as that E-scambay item didn't work either.

DD

.
I'm sure glad you outbid me on that CDX. No I really feel your pain brother. I've been had on EBAY myself and havn't learned yet, still taking my chances.:rolleyes:

Dieselbreath,

Can you elaborate on the CD changer install. I see the picture where you saw out the cubby but after sliding the changer in, how do you secure it? The changer I have has the plastic clip locks on the sides. Do these need to be removed? Did your changer have them?

And thanks for all the pictures. They are worth a thousand!
NOSPARKSI don't believe you can use that changer in a 2003 or newer. You have to use the changer with the metal tabs on the forward side. You can use self tapping screws through the tabs into the plastic structure of the cubby hole. It fits like a glove. Besides I think the changer with the plastic tabs does not use class 2 data and will not work with the LUX amp. Maybe one of you electronic Guru's can step in.

Thanks again C.A.P. I'm already thinking of those subs:eek:

:exactly: Ahhhh dieselbreath...you beat me to it! I just sent nosparks a PM about that CDX JUST as you replied on this thread!! Those older plastic slide CDX's were for 2002 and older trucks ONLY...they all used the ancient, slow E&C data bus (Entertainment & Comfort) for communication between the radio/CDX/climate control. Whereas the 2003 and newer ones all use Class II data.

---Ben

Ben and Dieselbreath,

Below is a front shot of the changer. Don't have a side shot with me. You can just make out the side clips. Wrong changer? If so, where would I get the correct one?

Dan, That changer is physically the same, but differnet from the one you need to use because it speaks a different language. The correct one will look exactly like that one, but have metal mounting ears on its sides in place of those plastic slides. It may also have wires going to a little box on the back.

Ahh yes, unfortunatly that is the wrong changer. I dont have a picture of mine, but perhaps sopmeone else can chime in and provide a picture of the correct changer.

--Ben

Dan
Here is the right one:

Thanks guys! Well, back to ebay it goes. Appreciate the help!

Thats what we're all here for.......just pay it forward.....

Hi everyone...any other nav questions...check out my new thread in the audio/video section (it may get moved to DIY section). I basically posted the whole procedure that I typed up and was emailing to individual people. I added part numbers and everything to make it even easier. Take a look and tell me if I should add anything else!

---Ben

Finally a do it yourself nav/LUX install article with all the IMPORTANT INFO on one thread! Sure beats reading the 90 plus pages on the avalanche board, which has repetitive questions and answers. This should eliminate a ton of questions. Great job Ben and give those typing fingers a rest!!:eek: