2004 chevy blazer

I'm decideing whether or not I should replace the head unit on my 04 blazer. I have a really nice Alpine cd deck that i purchased 3 years ago to play mp3 and wma files. When i bought the blazer i had originally planned on replacing the factory unit but I liked the features like r.d.s and speed controlled volume but I was rather disapointed in the fact that the vehicle had no bass effect on the sound so i added a pair of 10's to the factory radio with an audio r.c.a. output. I am sort of happy with it with the exeption that the factory cd player has a hard time reading recorded cd's. I used to be a installer but it has been years ago before the age of data radios and such, so when looking at install kits for this vehicle i have been overwhelmed at the variances of items i need by the manufacturers of kits. schosce says i need a t cable to relocate my radio, then sound domain says i don't need one. It seems no one actually knows for sure if it is a class 2 radio. Then my vehicle has steering wheel remotes for the radio that i would like to retain. from what i can tell there are two maybe three companies that have products to do this has anyone tried them and did they perform ok? Then finally on dash kits i recently looked at some kits on the market and there are so many styles available that I'm uncertain what style would look best for a proffesional look to my installation. i normally buy metra kits but the kit for the blazer looks cheesy with a eq knockoff plate.The blazer is an extreme blazer and i'm sure that there has been alot of these come through install bays so i would like some advise from some people that have actually had their hands on these and know for sure what works and what doesn't i really don't like the idea of having to relocate my factory radio either. some specifics about the vehicle are 2004 blazer xtreme with r.d.s steering wheel controls, no onstar. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks that took alot out of the headaches to me it looks like double din but everyone says its din and a half i eventually would like to put a double din dvd gps combo in it but thats a few bills away in the project...lol

I installed a head unit in a blazer today same year, coincidence?  If its a double din (metra#99-2003) it has a pocket underneath doesn't look to bad. Take your time with it and it will turn out nice, mine was a redo from another shop it looked pretty bad.I don't think you have a din and a half head unit, past 01 I am pretty sure blazers were double dins. I would stop at a local audio shop if able, I'm sure they can tell you at a glance. Use a data retention harness as spookiestylz mentioned above very easy install, you'll need a gm10 antenna adapter also. To retain the fact. steering wheel controls there are several companies that make them I usually get mine from pac.