03+ gm radio in a different vehicle?

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=93820
Printed Date: May 28, 2024 at 10:14 PM

Topic: 03+ gm radio in a different vehicle?

Posted By: zer0321
Subject: 03+ gm radio in a different vehicle?
Date Posted: May 11, 2007 at 5:52 PM

I've got the am/fm radio (with built in cd-changer) from my '04 chevy suburban that I upgraded to a touch screen nav system. [bose system, non-lux]

I would like to use this head unit in an older vehicle. So what do i need to get this thing to work outside of the suburban....in say the customized dash of an '81 Camaro.

Obviously I know I need a reverse wiring harness and wiring diagrams...and the theftlock needs to taken care of- how?

but once I am that far is there anything else I need to know? is there anything else I need to take care of to make this work?

(I know it would be far easier and efficient to go aftermarket....but that isn't the point here, I want to make this a project)

Thanks for your help.

Replies:

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 11, 2007 at 10:27 PM

Since all of the '04 car's computers and such are PART of that deck, (including MUCH if the integration and control, mainly involving the theftlock) there is no way you'll be able to install it in anything OTHER than a GM car of the same generation.

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Posted By: kassdog
Date Posted: May 12, 2007 at 12:59 AM

Unfortunetly the radio is turned on by a databus wire and can't be turned on uless you have the computer from the car. That is the only way that I know of. You would be bettter off buying an aftermarket double din navigation and putting that in the camaro. You will still need to customize the dash a lot.

Posted By: zer0321
Date Posted: May 12, 2007 at 2:24 AM

The dash customization and physically mounting the radio won't be a problem...to be clear I'm talking about a 6 CD changer (I believe RPO UC6). I remember seeing very similar (if not identical looking) head units in cavaliers and trailblazers...Besides theftlock, my understanding is that the radio only uses the computer for things like door chimes and other audible alerts...I don't really need any of that. I don't really mind wiring in an auxilary "dummy" ecu under the hood just for the radio from a newer GM vehicle if that is what it needs to make it work.

I've done similar 'retrofits' in other vehicles(my jeep and my audi), so it's really not as complicated as it might sound. Really in my opinion it looks alot cleaner and much left theft prone to use newer oem decks, almost "super stock", as long as you take your time to make it look nice and not half-ass the wiring.

I guess what I really need is the pin-out diagram for this head unit, anyone know where I could pick this up?

This is kind of an odd project, I know- but I appreciate any insight or information you can provide.

Thanks. posted_image