Help me pick out a head unit

road1will · May 28, 2008

Alright, my stock head unit appears to be failing. Sometimes when listening to a CD, it will cut out and i will have to eject and re-insert the CD before I can continue listening to music.

So, I want a new head unit. I rode in my buddys truck the other night and he has an older Clarion head unit with the flip out screen. It had a sweet ipod interface that i loved - He just leaves his ipod in the glove box and controls everything via touch screen. This feature is the most important feature to me.

Other than that - im not too picky. It has to be a DVD head unit, and i want a double din unit rather than a flip out screen because of the shifter.

Any reccomendations?

I was checking out this head unit : http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=168550&i=020M385VD&tp=75

it seems to be a good deal - but im not sure how hte ipod interface works? anyone know?

boostaholic · May 28, 2008

What are you looking to spend? I've seen good luck with the pioneer D3s and they're cheap online, I'm saving my money and getting a DNX8120 but they're twice as much.

road1will · May 28, 2008

boostaholic said:
What are you looking to spend? I've seen good luck with the pioneer D3s and they're cheap online, I'm saving my money and getting a DNX8120 but they're twice as much.

Id like to spend $500, but would stretch to about $700. While Nav would be nice, i dont ned it as i'm very happy with my Tomtom.

However, if i get a nav-equipped head unit, i could ebay my tomtom to offset the extra cost...

the D3 does look nice. i'll have to research it some more. Another one i really like is the Kenwood DDX512. It seems pretty cheap and i like the ipod interface.

road1will · May 28, 2008

how would ya'll feel about buyin a refurbished Pioneer D3? It seems u can get a refurb D3 for less than 500 shipped on ebay...

Huck · May 28, 2008

You can get a new one for $600 if you shop around. I'd go with a new one over a refurb, especially if it's on ebay and not factory refurbished.

andyb · May 29, 2008

road1will said:
how would ya'll feel about buyin a refurbished Pioneer D3? It seems u can get a refurb D3 for less than 500 shipped on ebay...

Go with a new D3, you will love the ipod controls.

road1will · May 29, 2008

Alright, i've decided to go with the D3. It seems i can get it new with the ipod cable for $650ish.

What else do i need to buy to install it in my truck? I'm going to do the install myself. I've installed a few stereos, but they have always come with the neccessary brackets/trim rings.

Do i need to buy anything in addition to the head unit? I dont really care about losing my door chimes/onstar...

Mr45 · May 29, 2008

Good luck with the project. I'm curious on how you make out in putting that double-DIN radio in there!
Post pics!

JKmotorsports · May 30, 2008

Mr45 said:
Good luck with the project. I'm curious on how you make out in putting that double-DIN radio in there!
Post pics!

03-up models stock units are double din size. Replacing it with another DD is cake.

road1will said:
Alright, i've decided to go with the D3. It seems i can get it new with the ipod cable for $650ish.

What else do i need to buy to install it in my truck? I'm going to do the install myself. I've installed a few stereos, but they have always come with the neccessary brackets/trim rings.

Do i need to buy anything in addition to the head unit? I dont really care about losing my door chimes/onstar...

The D3 is nice. Has a nice ipod interface as well as other features. You should like it. As for parts, you'll need 3: a GM antenna adapter, a DD kit such as Metra's 99-3002, and a wire harness. Do you have Bose? There are several harnesses to choose from. Check out your local stereo shop and they'll be able to get you the right parts.

road1will · May 30, 2008

Nope...don't have Bose.

I was at Best Buy and those guys aren't very knowledgeable. I asked them what I needed to buy and they said just the head unit. They said I would need to be a wiring harness only if I wanted to retain my OnStar...Is that true? Or do i need to buy a wiring harness either way?

JKmotorsports · May 30, 2008

Either way, you need a harness.

Gordo · May 31, 2008

yeah definetly, unless you wanna start guessing and checking wires which I dont think anyone recommends. spend the extra 15 or so dollars and make your life alot easier.

EZStreet · May 31, 2008

Don't you need to get a certain type of deck in order for your factory chimes and onstar to work? I'm looking at the Pioneer Avic D3 as well, but I would really like to find a deck with an in dash changer....

01lt_hoe · May 31, 2008

EZStreet said:
Don't you need to get a certain type of deck in order for your factory chimes and onstar to work? I'm looking at the Pioneer Avic D3 as well, but I would really like to find a deck with an in dash changer....

you just have to get a vehicle specific wiring harness to retain your chimes & on-star... once you go with a usb drive, or ipod hook-up you will never want to deal with a cd changer ever again... I've got about 65 cd's on my usb drive, and its not even 50% full

EZStreet · May 31, 2008

01lt_hoe said:
you just have to get a vehicle specific wiring harness to retain your chimes & on-star... once you go with a usb drive, or ipod hook-up you will never want to deal with a cd changer ever again... I've got about 65 cd's on my usb drive, and its not even 50% full

Good point, what deck are you using?

01lt_hoe · Jun 1, 2008

EZStreet said:
Good point, what deck are you using?

a Kenwood DNX8120

Help me pick out a head unit

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