Best bang for your buck

[pjd951990]

probably around 2k

[Kingpin07]

2k for just the install?! wow!...

[Kingoftypos]

I was quoted for a basic install. Using metra's radio fit kit and pac audio gmos harness. With labor it came around $600. I then hung up the phone. lol That was from a place in New London, Connecticut.

I do my own installs, but I am just always curios on how much radio shops are charging. Someone wanted to charge me $200 just to cut the face off of the factory radio. Which did not included the circuit board underneath. This was from a place in Bethlehem, PA So I had an ex coworker and bought him lunch. lol

KOT

[pjd951990]

You have no idea what all i had to do to make everything including the presets work

[NAM1025]

Is there any way, or anything you can buy, to make it preserve the steering wheel controls as well as the temp, mpg, etc?

[NAM1025]

http://www.metraonline.com/products.aspx?s=GMOS-10

This seems like it would work.. but maybe not. I don't know lol

[Kingoftypos]

Originally Posted by pjd951990

You have no idea what all i had to do to make everything including the presets work

Hey, did you get my private message?

KOT

[sivic2k]

Originally Posted by Kingoftypos

Hey, did you get my private message?

KOT

No PMs! Share! lol. PJD, can you explain what you did? I love modding but i am also big on keeping a clean, stock look in and out. If keeping everything functional is possible, i will attempt! if not me, then a buddy of mine i know who is somewhat advanced with radios will...

[jkstop]

Originally Posted by NAM1025

http://www.metraonline.com/products.aspx?s=GMOS-10

This seems like it would work.. but maybe not. I don't know lol

Does anyone know if this would work? Seems too easy to be true. Because that harness would make it so that all you have to do is cut the dash trim, fit the aftermarket unit where the CD changer used to be, and plug it in? If nobody knows then I may try contacting Metra, because I definitely want to keep my steering wheel buttons along with my DIC fully operational.

[sivic2k]

Originally Posted by jkstop

Does anyone know if this would work? Seems too easy to be true. Because that harness would make it so that all you have to do is cut the dash trim, fit the aftermarket unit where the CD changer used to be, and plug it in? If nobody knows then I may try contacting Metra, because I definitely want to keep my steering wheel buttons along with my DIC fully operational.

It only mentions that it retains onstar and chimes specifically. If you speak with them, ask about the steering wheel buttons, DIC, and presents. If it does im solddd

[NAM1025]

I'll call today and let you guys know what they say.

[jkstop]

Originally Posted by sivic2k

It only mentions that it retains onstar and chimes specifically. If you speak with them, ask about the steering wheel buttons, DIC, and presents. If it does im solddd

If thats the case im sold too... that would make life 100x easier for the install... im gonna go with the pioneer AVIC-Z3. Pioneer lists it for $1800. Buy.com has it for $1300

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...n-Dash/AVIC-Z3

[NAM1025]

Yep, called Metra today. It retains everything; steering wheel controls, DIC. I've seen it for around $120. Definitely worth it IMO. Crutchfield also has something you can buy which does the same thing. I'll get a link if I can.

[Kingoftypos]

Originally Posted by NAM1025

Yep, called Metra today. It retains everything; steering wheel controls, DIC. I've seen it for around $120. Definitely worth it IMO. Crutchfield also has something you can buy which does the same thing. I'll get a link if I can.

I don't know who you talked to. But it does not retain steering wheel or the DIC.

Presently, the way I have my system hooked up keeps the full function of onstar and semi full function of steering wheel controls. If you were to use the GMOS10 you will have semi function of onstar and you will lose all function of steering wheel. Even if you have any one of the 1 2 3 4 buttons to control the climate control. This is because the steering wheel buttons goes through the factory radio. Once you unplug the factory radio, and plug in the GMOS10 you will be disconnecting the steering wheel input from the steering wheel.

However, the way that I have mine right now. I am the audio output harness from the factory radio and plugged in the line level outputs from my aftermarket radio. I have full function of the volume knob and onstar buttons on the steering wheel. Including the temp up and down that I have programmed into the 1 2 3 4 buttons. The other two however, I have programmed for preset up and down. But of course that is for the factory radio, which I am only using as the DIC.

If you go my route, you will only need to plug in the front audio outputs from the aftermarket head unit. And you still be able to control tone, balance and fade from the factory radio. This is because all that is controlled in the amp that is in the trunk. However, if you go the GMOS10 route, you'll lose all that. No fade, balance or tone control. And it sounds crappy.

KOT

[NAM1025]

Yea, nevermind. First person I talked to apparently didn't know anything they were talking about. I called back and all the GMOS10 does is retain the Amp and the speakers/chimes. Basically all it says on that page.
There is a seperate add-on you can buy though, depending on what kind of radio you plan on installing. If you know the radio you want, or you already have it. Call up Metra and ask them for the Kit that enables you to use all of the steering wheel controls through the radio. The only way to keep the info center though is to do what Kinfoftypos did. Which is what I'll be doing.

KOT: What installation kit did you buy so that you could keep both the original radio in as well as an after market? Or did you do a custom job? And is your aftermarket radio a double din or single?