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2003 Silverado radio details...

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=13594
Printed Date: March 28, 2024 at 9:58 AM


Topic: 2003 Silverado radio details...

Posted By: rnoslen
Subject: 2003 Silverado radio details...
Date Posted: May 16, 2003 at 8:18 AM

Looking to find any availiable information from anyone who has replaced the factory radio of a 2003 Silverado with an aftermarket. What is required to deal with the computer interface with the stereo? Does Metra make a harness for this application? Will a T-harness be necessary? All information on this subject will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan



Replies:

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 16, 2003 at 9:35 AM
This should provide you with a good understanding of the GM data buss system, and how it works https://www.velocitymotorsport.com/install_notes/OBDII.htm 




Posted By: rnoslen
Date Posted: May 16, 2003 at 9:50 AM
Thanks for the general information regaurding the GM data buss system, but that page, like others I've visited, doesn't confirm that the 2003 Silverado is one of these systems, or give any information about a Metra harness or T-harness which will work on the 2003 Silverado. Is there a site, or person who has done this on a Silverado personally that can supply this information?? I would appreciate all information on this subject.

Thanks,

Ryan




Posted By: thechad6
Date Posted: May 16, 2003 at 11:38 AM

I've done some homework regarding what you've asked, and I'm not sure if Meta has the harnesses necessary, but PAC does. The way you can tell if you have the class 2 data bus is to remove the radio and see if your door chimes still work, if not, then you've got class 2. 

You'd need the t harness and will have to relocate the factory HU so that you don't loose your chimes, unless you don't care.  I haven't gone down the road of replacing the factory HU, but check with the PAC folks and they can tell you exactly what you'll need.



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.:theChad:.




Posted By: neasdom
Date Posted: July 06, 2003 at 2:53 PM
I have a 2003 Silverado and just finished changing out the head unit. The metra kit works and crutchfield carries it. Along with the faceplate. You have to connect the wires from the metra unit (it has a speaker which lets you keep your door/lights on chime) to the wireing harness that comes with your aftermarket head unit. When you go to the Crutchfield website you may want to turn off the vehicle filter, as it did not work for me when I was searching for the metra unit. I was able to comfirm with Crutchfield that it was the right unit through e-mail. The unit is not cheap (about $80). But Crutchfield was a big help and promptly answered my questions.

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No man has ever known everything about any one thing.

- Isaac Asimov -




Posted By: neasdom
Date Posted: July 06, 2003 at 2:58 PM

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-fm0hyRj3NOu/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120GMRC01

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-fm0hyRj3NOu/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120992001

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-fm0hyRj3NOu/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=12040GM10

Here are the links to the metra unit, faceplate adapter and antenna adapter. You will need to solder or crimp the metra unit to your wiring harness (your head unit should come with a generic wiring harness, you do not need to order an additional harness). Also, if you tell Crutchfield what vehicle you have the will send you vehicle specific installation sheets.



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No man has ever known everything about any one thing.

- Isaac Asimov -




Posted By: neasdom
Date Posted: July 06, 2003 at 3:01 PM
If you can live without your door chime working you could just order a standard wiring harness and save about $70. Since your lights are automatic and the driver side door unlocks automatically if the keys are left in the ignition, there probobly isn't a whole lot of need for the chime.

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No man has ever known everything about any one thing.

- Isaac Asimov -




Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: July 06, 2003 at 6:49 PM

I agree with neasdom in most instances, at least for people working on their own vehicles.  As far as shops doing the install though, most places will want to retain all the factory functionality for legal and liability reasons.  As this site is intended for professional installers as well as the do-it-yourselfer, I think it's a point worth mentioning.

The new metra chime module/harness is OK, but my preferred solution is still the BestKits BHA2004T.  It keeps all the functionality of having the factory radio still hooked up, and it also runs the door chimes to the front left speaker just like how it's done on a stock system.  Also it usually costs the same as (and sometimes less than) the new metra chime module & harness.

Admittedly it does involve more labor, but in my opinion it is worth it for shops to do it this way.  The Metra product is a great thing for people working on their own cars cuz it offers a very quick and easy way to keep at least the door chimes.  Since it does not relocate the factory radio though, there is some functionality built-in to the factory head unit that you'll lose when you use the metra product.

The scosche harness was good back when there were no other options, but considering you still need to get a single tiny speaker and physically mount it underneath the steering column to get the door chimes, there are currently better solutions than the scosche solution.

As far as I know only PAC has the Class II interfaces that work with vehicles with on-star though.  Most likely that's going to be your best bet.



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Ethan
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"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com




Posted By: neasdom
Date Posted: July 07, 2003 at 7:26 AM

Hmm. Ok help me out here, as I am definately new to this. I haven't noticed anything different. What functionality will I loose. The only thing I thought it didn't work for was On-star (which I don't have). I have recently read (on another thread in this forum) that all kinds of things will stop working including power window, ABS brakes, airbags, etc. I know my windows still work and like I said I haven't noticed anything different. But now I'm concerned? Thanks in advance.



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No man has ever known everything about any one thing.

- Isaac Asimov -




Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: July 07, 2003 at 10:39 AM

The airbags will always work, and so will the ABS.  I wish GM would release an official statement listing exactly what will and will not work if the factory radio is removed,

In particular I've heard a lof of talk about the "check oil" light having to be reset by a GM dealer after the oil is changed, if the factory class II radio is not present in the vehicle.

I guess the way I think of it is that since the BestKits harness is the same price (or maybe even less than) the metra harness, it's better to just do it the proper way with the BestKits harness.  But this is coming from the retailer/installer's point of view and we always think it's better to be safe than sorry.  The metra kit certainly has the advantage of being a piece of cake to install.

What I would recommend for you would be to go with the metra version, but make sure you hang on to your factory radio.  Next time you have to go get your oil changed and have the check oil light reset, you just have to plug the factory radio back in temporarily because the resetting procedure is done through the factory radio.  Then when it's reset just put the aftermarket one back in.



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Ethan
-----
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
Donate to the12volt.com




Posted By: neasdom
Date Posted: July 07, 2003 at 1:15 PM

Cool thanks for the help. Yeah, I agree that GM should release more info. With the way they're hurtin for sales you'd think they'd make their vehicles more user friendly instead of the other way around. Thanks again.



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No man has ever known everything about any one thing.

- Isaac Asimov -





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