Radio head unit help

[NewType72]

Hello I'm never usually in this are of the board but doesn't mean the family doesnt own just about ever year from 72-2001 but I'm hear to ask about the radio head unit in my mom's 96 Chevy pickup. I hear they go out pretty easy and since it's about 16 years old it seems to have given up the ghost so now here's my question

Where is the best place I can find a new/reman'd head unit to replace it and how difficult other than pulling the bezel off and disconnecting and swapping units?

Found this in a quick 5 min search
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-OEM-AM...61c688&vxp=mtr

Thanks for any info and advice in advance

[dishow]

That should be it. Plug and play.
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[NewType72]

as for buying a new unit though where would I go?

[TennesseeZ]

Originally Posted by NewType72

as for buying a new unit though where would I go?

If you need a new factory unit you'll probably have to get it from a dealership.

Or you could get an aftermarket unit from many places, and install yourself or have it installed.

[1badgmc]

It's really not that much harder to install an aftermarket head unit than another factory one and you'd probably end up paying as much for a good factory unit.

When I bought my Suburban, none of the button illumination worked. Though it functioned perfectly, the lack of lighting drove me nuts. I resisted going aftermarket for a while because most of the aftermarket head units you see in these trucks use a crappy kit and stick out. I found a kit that mounts it nice and flush, so I went ahead and put in a nice Alpine I had laying around.

[NewType72]

Alright well I'm sure you have the write up and info on the aftermarket panel you used right? ^^ I'll look into that and I just called the dealership they quoted me 1,016$ for a brand new radio head unit sonill definitely pass on that I may just buy this eBay unit
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[1badgmc]

The dash kit I used was made by Metra, part #99-3002. You can also buy a wiring harness that you splice into your aftermarket head unit's harness and then it just plugs into your stock harness so that you don't have to cut any stock wires. I paid $5 for mine. It was also made by Metra, part #GM-4001.

I don't have a write-up, but it is all very straightforward. The front dash bezel just pulls off. The HVAC controls have to be pulled out first before the radio. They use 7mm screws. Once you have it loose, pull the head unit out and unplug it. Plug your harness for the new head unit into the truck wiring and install the dash kit and head unit according to the included instructions and put it all back together. I spent maybe 20-30 minutes on my install.

[RayInAlaska]

Originally Posted by NewType72

as for buying a new unit though where would I go?

To me the best idea would be to get rid of the old unit and buy a new one. Also, when buying a new one, I would consider iPod or another MP3 player connectivity to it. If that's what you want, you should be able to buy a new one from Crutchfield (crutchfield.com) for around $120.00.

I am not trying to advertise for Crutchfield, but I do buy from this company every now and then. When you go to their website and find the automobile receivers and such, you enter your vehicle model and year, and a series of components will appear on the screen for you to choose from. Once you have chosen the one you want to buy, Crutchfield sends you a small harness with a plug or two (depending on which vehicle you have) installed on the harness.

The plug and the instructions are free, but you will have to solder the harness/plug to the harness on the new radio. Just follow the wire color codes. Once this is done, all you do is to connect the new harness/plugs to your vehicle radio's harness. When you buy from Crutchfield, shipment is free, and their technical advise on the telephone or e-mail is free as long as you own the radio.

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by RayInAlaska

To me the best idea would be to get rid of the old unit and buy a new one. Also, when buying a new one, I would consider iPod or another MP3 player connectivity to it.

One of my favorite things about my Alpine is its USB port. I can load up one of my thumb drives with MP3s and have music for days.

[NewType72]

well the truck is my moms she just got the new iphone im unsure how many new decks support her new usb cable but who knows something to look into that site is really cool i just have to research it a little more

[RayInAlaska]

Originally Posted by NewType72

well the truck is my moms she just got the new iphone im unsure how many new decks support her new usb cable but who knows something to look into that site is really cool i just have to research it a little more

New iPhone? Then look for a unit with both iPhone compatibility, and Bluetooth (Alpine, Kentwood, and the rest have both features).

[NewType72]

right just curious if they have the new software the whole plug was changed anyway not super important for the hookup at this point. and 1BadGMC i was able to pull the head unit out without messing with the a/c panel to check the wires before. I'll keep researching thanks for the info guys

[RayInAlaska]

Originally Posted by NewType72

right just curious if they have the new software the whole plug was changed anyway not super important for the hookup at this point. and 1BadGMC i was able to pull the head unit out without messing with the a/c panel to check the wires before. I'll keep researching thanks for the info guys

Talk to one of the Crutchfield advisors during the day. They may have adapters and things like that you can use with the new iPhone.

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by NewType72

right just curious if they have the new software the whole plug was changed anyway not super important for the hookup at this point. and 1BadGMC i was able to pull the head unit out without messing with the a/c panel to check the wires before. I'll keep researching thanks for the info guys

Ok...Maybe I was backwards and the radio has to come out for the HVAC to come out. It's been a couple years. I had to pull both units out anyhow since I put blue LEDs in my HVAC at the same time I did my head unit install.