2004 denali, navigation

I'm looking to install a Pioneer AVIC-X910BT in a 2004 Denali. Been doing mostly remote starters in the past few years and haven't done a radio in a while. I know I need a factory integration adapter to maintain door chime, OnStar and interface to the factory BOSE amp. I am also looking for something to maintain steering wheel controls if available. I've seen a few products but I am more interested to see what people have used and with what success.

Also wondering if people are able to install the GPS antenna in the factory antenna location in the dash with success or if it had to be placed elsewhere.

Any info on this or product suggestions would be great.

After some more reading the only two solutions I have come across are the following.

Steering Wheel Control Interface: PAC SWI-PSv1
OnStar / OEM Interface: GMOS-04

Can anybody comment on either of these two units?

Wheel controls, use the PAC piece. I prefer the OS2BOSE for the harness instead, but both will work. As for the antenna, stick it up inside the dash and it will work fine. No need to make it visible...

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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

Thanks for the reply Mike,

I have run across some info lately stating the differences between the BOSE systems and that some run high level inputs to the factory amp and some are low level inputs. And surprise, surprise, I didn't bookmark the site and can't find it again.

This install hasn't taken place as it wasn't a high priority for the owner so I'm still gathering bits and pieces of info as I go. Can you shed any light on how the different system operate? I hate to install something and have the sound quality be degraded with a new NAV unit due to a silly error like bypass selection. (Especially if there are multiple "compatible" units)

Thanks

Update: Looks like I will finally be getting around to installing this equipment.

I looked into the OS2BOSE as was suggested and it looks like now there is a OS2BOSEv2 available, assuming this is just an updated piece, nothing new from what I could tell reading descriptions. This harness/bypass still requires a separate chime module correct?

I'm still set on the steering wheel control adapter as long as a newer piece isn't available I have yet to find.

Installing XM also, vehicle currently has factory XM. I read you are able to use the factory antenna just need some modification to the connector. Hoping that is pretty straight forward. How about power for the XM module? Grab it at the radio connector or splice into the factory XM module connector?

For VSS wire, this should be in the stock radio harness if factory nav was an option? Anybody have the color for it? I know the GM0S-04 has VSS, parking brake and reverse available at the bypass itself but I have no problem finding these elsewhere if the PAC piece is a better item.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

VSS is GREEN/ whitse and could be at the radio harness or get it behind the cluster. Power for XM can come from the radio harness.

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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

Thanks for the VSS wire info.

After a lot of reading yesterday I finally found some info that stated you do not need a chime module if you have Premium Bose, only for standard Bose. And also that OnStar volume can be adjusted via factory steering wheel controls w/ Premium Bose.

Any experience with the Scosche GMOS2B211B bypass? It looks identical to the PAC OS2BOSE that was suggested. Wasn't sure if they were just re-branded or if there are actual internal differences.

I am not a big fan of the scosche interfaces.  I've had to replace a few of them in GM vehicles especially and ended up going with axxess(metra) interfaces instead.  The wholesaler i was getting them from also switched from scosche to metra;  apparently i wasn't the only one that was having problems with them...

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...half of the truth can be worse than a lie. <----Roger Russell said that..

I first found the Axxess GMOS-04 adapter when I started looking into all of this. It seemed like a good fit, seeing how it had the extra NAV wires (VSS, Reverse, ParkBrake) and used RCA inputs like I would of expected to feed into the factory amp. I already have the necessary info for the NAV wires so that is now a moot point for me.

Then I found the Scosche / PAC model unit that uses high-level inputs and it started confusing me as to which would offer better sound quality if any difference at all.

I liked the PAC piece because it actually references Premium BOSE, and describes how the Fader won't work, that OnStar volume is still adjustable via steering wheel controls, Chime is retained. Seems to me like the instructions on these bypass are always lacking something in one way or another.

I'm sure they both get the job done at the end of the day, just need to pick one I guess and be done with it.

When i installed the scosche interface....first one i got didn't chime at all.  it supplied power but it also gave me engine whine.  2nd one i installed i did get chimes, but the whine was still there!  i redid ALL the grounds to one single chassis ground behind the radio and it stopped, but then the blinkers wouldn't click.  (i was installing in a 08 sierra, so you won't have to worry about blinkers.)  Guy had it two weeks then the chime quit working again.  i then installed the metra unit, no engine whine.....good chime...blinkers worked and the unit didn't look so damn cheap either.  i will stay away from scosche interface modules from now on....metra's quality is way better!!! 

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...half of the truth can be worse than a lie. <----Roger Russell said that..

I called a few of the local shops around me and they all use PAC pieces. I ended up ordering a OS2BOSEv2 for the harness/adapter and went with an Axxess ASWC for the steering wheel controls. Read some decent reviews about it being "auto programming" and many of the comments compared it directly to the PAC SWI-PSv1 piece I was originally going to buy. It was cheaper too. Made by Metra so hopefully their SWC adapters are as good as the harness adapters.

I'll post some updates after I get everything installed.

Thanks Again
Gus

I got everything installed on a hot July 4th. After a shoe horn to cram all the wiring and modules back in the dash the install went rather smooth. I was able to mount the XM receiver in the factory location and reuse the stock antenna. Good Pic and Info Here

Ended up sticking with the PAC SWC adapter as my bro-in-law ordered the wrong piece. This was still easy to setup and the online install guides made it easy to find the right wire.

Its been close to 8 years since I have installed a radio, and this is the first NAVI I've installed. Boy is it tough to find a spot to cram all these integration adapters now a days. That hasn't changed in 8 years, the hardest part of the install is getting it all back in the dash.

Thanks for all the help from the members here. I have a few specifics to add from the install.

-Removing the factory XM receiver is not fun. I suggest a 7mm ratchet wrench or similar. Good news is when you reinstall the bracket you can flip the fasteners around and just screw it in from the front instead.
-Plenty of metal under dash to stick the GPS antenna to (as mentioned prior)
-When breaking out the rear tabs in the dash for depth clearance don't bother trying to cut them, channel locks broke them out no problem for me. I was going to try to cut them out with my dremel before I tried this.

-VSS Wire @ Radio: Dark GREEN / WHITE-Cavity E_Conn2 (12 Pin Black connector)
-Reverse Wire @ BCM: Lt. Green-Cavity F_Conn5 (6 Pin Black connector)

So far the Radio seems to be a nice piece. Biggest complaint I had in the time I spent with it is that when connected to an iPod you have to hook up both USB and heaphone jack. Why it can't pull audio out via USB is beyond me. It can control and grab album art but no audio. I think they make some break out connectors that go from dock connector to USB / Headphone to use the line-out to address this issue. Haven't gotten that far yet.