Anyone replace factory stereo with aftermarket double din unit? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Emily2SS · 07-15-2011, 11:31 AM

Has anyone replaced the factory stereo interface with a aftermarket double-din? if so, did you use a factory integration adapter for the ac controls and such? Was it a difficult job? Does everything still work the same?

I'm researching replacing the unit. I want to do the work myself, but have never had the issue of other controls involved other than the stereo. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

The Stig · 07-15-2011, 11:40 AM

I know you're new and all, but

there are many threads about this.

Iwantone2 · 07-15-2011, 11:52 AM

Most people use the Metra kit, while others are still waiting for the Alpine kit to get double dins in their cars.

Emily2SS · 07-15-2011, 12:00 PM

Yeah, found it. Crutchfield has the metra kit 1/2 off if you purchase the head unit from them. I found a few videos on utube on the installation, but it didn't show the details. I wonder how hard it wouldbe to install? I really don't want to pay to get it done.

y2k king · 07-15-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily2SS

Yeah, found it. Crutchfield has the metra kit 1/2 off if you purchase the head unit from them. I found a few videos on utube on the installation, but it didn't show the details. I wonder how hard it wouldbe to install? I really don't want to pay to get it done.

i got the whole setup from crutchfield.

Darth Martel · 07-15-2011, 02:19 PM

It's not what I would call easy but, you don't need an electrical engineering degree either. I just happen to have one

Kendell347 · 07-15-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Martel

It's not what I would call easy but, you don't need an electrical engineering degree either. I just happen to have one

With a double din you're going to have quite a few wires and also with the Metra system. If you're new to the electrical world, I would probably suggest finding someone good with electrical to do it as the install is pretty involved. If you wire things up all the time, then it just requires patience.

Oft · 07-16-2011, 04:36 PM

I had a dnx 9960 installed and I watched the process it looked somewhat diffcult the programming was a bit tricky its amazing how much runs through the cars radio..The metra kit looks like it was made in the 90's though. If I were you I would wait until the alpine unit is released. If you do get the metra kit get it black. If you get a backup camera get it flush mounted... My car was broken into and the tryed to steal the deck and couldnt get it out so they just broke it.. The b/u camera is a target lets the theif know you have a screen....

Edscapade · 07-17-2011, 03:19 PM

Damn that sux Oft - sorry to hear.. idiots out there everywhere!

aron77 · 07-17-2011, 09:45 PM

I've replaced several head units in the past but I was too afriad to mess with this once cuz it is brand new and there is so much going on there with the a/c controls and all the other stuff that runs through the stereo, so I didn't do it and at this point have scrapped the idea since the install, not including head unit, is at least 500 alone with the metra kit harnesses and labor. I can follow instructions so the wiring stuff didn't scare me off too much eventho it does look involved but I'm hesistent to do it myself cuz I'm afraid of breaking plastic or not getting everything back in there flush. I could probably do it but this is my first brand new car and I'm handling it with kid gloves. If your more confident than me in getting everything back together right then listen to the others and give it a shot otherwise let the pros do it and if anything goes wrong you have recourse.

Camarowguy · 07-17-2011, 10:02 PM

I thought it was a piece of cake to install. The only problem I had was I needed to update the Metra module...so I borrowed the cable from an audio shop next door to my work...downloaded the update software on my laptop and updated it. After that it worked perfect.

Emily2SS · 07-19-2011, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the input!!!! I ended up installing the ******** t-harness that allows you to add an amp, it gets the turn on and signal through the Boston amp. You don't have to splice wires. And its nice that the battery is in the trunk! No hiding wires! I have been apart of installing many car stereos! The wires do scare me, but my husband is always there to help

This ******** thing seems to work ok, but I am not getting good clean sub bass. I'm used to a sub out from the head unit. I think I'll wait to switch out the head unit for now, till something better looking comes out!!!!! I'll have to research that Alpine. Thank you!

tbone587 · 07-19-2011, 09:28 AM

I think the metra kit looks ok except for the black trim ring they use inside. They should have made it a double din only kit so it was all silver..

Emily2SS · 07-19-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Martel

It's not what I would call easy but, you don't need an electrical engineering degree either. I just happen to have one

ENGINERD!!!! :P

07-15-2011, 11:31 AM	#1
Emily2SS Drives: 2011 2SS Camaro 2002 TransAm WS6 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 20 View My Garage	Anyone replace factory stereo with aftermarket double din unit? Has anyone replaced the factory stereo interface with a aftermarket double-din? if so, did you use a factory integration adapter for the ac controls and such? Was it a difficult job? Does everything still work the same? I'm researching replacing the unit. I want to do the work myself, but have never had the issue of other controls involved other than the stereo. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

07-15-2011, 11:40 AM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	I know you're new and all, but there are many threads about this. __________________

07-15-2011, 11:52 AM	#3
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,617 View My Garage	Most people use the Metra kit, while others are still waiting for the Alpine kit to get double dins in their cars. __________________

07-15-2011, 02:19 PM	#6
Darth Martel Darth Martel Drives: Black 1SS with 20% tinted windows Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bizzaroland Posts: 1,496	It's not what I would call easy but, you don't need an electrical engineering degree either. I just happen to have one __________________ 2016 Black 1SS w/ MRC, low-gloss black wheels, auto trans. Self-created custom Dark Knight Edition accents. Rotofab CAI with dry filter and sound tube delete, PRAY ported intake manifold and throttle body, Texas Speed cam, Stainless Works headers and exhaust, Skid Mark garage E85 kit, JMS fuel pump voltage booster, Circle D torque converter. Custom E85/mod tune by Jannetty Racing.

07-17-2011, 10:02 PM	#11
Camarowguy Drives: 2011 imperial blue SS, black 92 RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denham Springs Posts: 2,580	I thought it was a piece of cake to install. The only problem I had was I needed to update the Metra module...so I borrowed the cable from an audio shop next door to my work...downloaded the update software on my laptop and updated it. After that it worked perfect. __________________ 2011 imperial blue SS/RS a6 12.43@112 vararam, tune, jba cats, magnaflow axle back, self ported tb, under drive pulley, NO headers, Stock tires. 1.87 60ft. Stock tires. SOLD :( 2000 1500 silverado extra cab SOLD :( 2017 Silverado 5.3 all stock 2004 5.7 GTO 78mm turbo

07-15-2011, 12:00 PM	#4
Emily2SS Drives: 2011 2SS Camaro 2002 TransAm WS6 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 20 View My Garage	Yeah, found it. Crutchfield has the metra kit 1/2 off if you purchase the head unit from them. I found a few videos on utube on the installation, but it didn't show the details. I wonder how hard it wouldbe to install? I really don't want to pay to get it done.

07-16-2011, 04:36 PM	#8
Oft Drives: Black 2011 2/SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 27	I had a dnx 9960 installed and I watched the process it looked somewhat diffcult the programming was a bit tricky its amazing how much runs through the cars radio..The metra kit looks like it was made in the 90's though. If I were you I would wait until the alpine unit is released. If you do get the metra kit get it black. If you get a backup camera get it flush mounted... My car was broken into and the tryed to steal the deck and couldnt get it out so they just broke it.. The b/u camera is a target lets the theif know you have a screen....

07-17-2011, 03:19 PM	#9
Edscapade Edscapade Drives: 2011 SS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 442	Damn that sux Oft - sorry to hear.. idiots out there everywhere!

07-17-2011, 09:45 PM	#10
aron77 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: KC MO Posts: 567	I've replaced several head units in the past but I was too afriad to mess with this once cuz it is brand new and there is so much going on there with the a/c controls and all the other stuff that runs through the stereo, so I didn't do it and at this point have scrapped the idea since the install, not including head unit, is at least 500 alone with the metra kit harnesses and labor. I can follow instructions so the wiring stuff didn't scare me off too much eventho it does look involved but I'm hesistent to do it myself cuz I'm afraid of breaking plastic or not getting everything back in there flush. I could probably do it but this is my first brand new car and I'm handling it with kid gloves. If your more confident than me in getting everything back together right then listen to the others and give it a shot otherwise let the pros do it and if anything goes wrong you have recourse.

07-19-2011, 08:09 AM	#12
Emily2SS Drives: 2011 2SS Camaro 2002 TransAm WS6 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 20 View My Garage	Thanks for the input!!!! I ended up installing the ****** t-harness that allows you to add an amp, it gets the turn on and signal through the Boston amp. You don't have to splice wires. And its nice that the battery is in the trunk! No hiding wires! I have been apart of installing many car stereos! The wires do scare me, but my husband is always there to help This ****** thing seems to work ok, but I am not getting good clean sub bass. I'm used to a sub out from the head unit. I think I'll wait to switch out the head unit for now, till something better looking comes out!!!!! I'll have to research that Alpine. Thank you!

07-19-2011, 09:28 AM	#13
tbone587 Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 94	I think the metra kit looks ok except for the black trim ring they use inside. They should have made it a double din only kit so it was all silver..

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