2004 Silverado non-onstar

[itsnitro]

I wanted to put an after market radio in my truck, is it set up where I have to purchase an adapter to keep the door chimes and what not working? It's a basic stock truck, no power windows, locks, or mirrors. Thanks

[00Beast]

Yeah, that's pretty much how all the new GM's are. I'd check a truck forum where someone else has done an aftermarket HU setup, see what they did.

[itsnitro]

Thanks 00Beast

[1fatcat]

Yep. The chimes play through the speakers. The computer sends a signal to the radio to tell the radio to make a chime noise through the speakers.

[lowrider0308]

I had to buy the adapter module for my 06 Silverado. I got a Scosche branded box from Walmart about 2 years ago. Every time the temps drop down into the 30's, the box locks up. I contacted tech support about it and they shrugged it off as the box needing to be reset by pulling the fuse. Why they think it is ok to have to reset a fuse every day in the winter, I'm not sure. I also had the box malfunction several times which drained my battery. I learned to listen for the chirping or clicking sound from the box that would signal it was going to drain my battery. After locking up several times earlier this winter I decided to go back to the factory radio and purchase and iSimple iPod kit and PAC amp adapter module/harness from PAC Audio Solutions. I'm in the process of installing those pieces and a 4 channel amp and sub right now. If you search the reviews on Crutchfield, you can find reviews like mine scattered throughout the comments sections for different brands. Good luck!

[1fatcat]

I've never understood the hype on aftermarket radios? The factor unit will produce very nice sound when correctly coupled to a system. Until you get into $3,000+ systems, I think the factory head unit will produce just as good of signal quality as an aftermarket head unit.

Replace an $800 factory head unit with a $400 aftermarket unit....just doesn't make sence to me?

[lowrider0308]

The reasoning is that people are looking for more volume/equalizer control and the ability to easily hook up and drive an amp for speaker and subwoofers. My factory radio is not Bose or amped, so I lack low's and mid's at high volumes because the HU tones them back. The factory HU on my Silvy is a nice setup to me. It's not flashy like aftermarket stuff, but it is user friendly and matches the interior, so that is a big plus to me. Adding the integrated iPod harness has been an awesome investment. My sister got one for her G6 first, so I knew it would be a good purchase. The other bonus of keeping the factory radio is that your install becomes more stealth, making it look less inviting for low lifes.

[1fatcat]

The other bonus of keeping the factory radio is that your install becomes more stealth, making it look less inviting for low lifes.

Couldn't agree more! I had a system ripped from me once, lost about $3,000 worth of equipment. I have never wanted another system since. I like nice sound, but when you can hear it a half mile away, thats just advertising to the low lifes. 9 times out of 10, it's someone you know that jacks the stuff. Makes you wonder who your friends are. The only real protection is to never play it loud around your home town or home area of bigger cities. If no one suspects a system, they won't break in looking for one. I always get a kick out of the guys with high end audio equipment stickers plastered all over their car/truck. Might as well get a sticker that says "FREE STERIO SYSTEM INSIDE".

[Jrs3800]

I like the factory units, was and am still fond of the Head Units used in the 87-91 Bonnevilles ( ETR ) with the 5 band Eq... For stock those units could make Pioneers beg for mercy...

I do like the 94-99 Units used in the Bonnevilles as well.. The sound quality is good... And I would have hooked this up to an Amp if it could have done one thing for me... MP3 Discs....

I also had the luxury of having on CD unit that fried the internal Amp... What can I expect after 10 + years of use...

What I ended up doing was getting a JVC head unit... I only bought it because it was $99 Free shipping and install kit included...

This head unit was more or less lowish on the quality pole... But it did do MP3 WMA and the like... As well this had the HD Radio built in.. 7 Band Eq with a user function, and 5.1 simulated surround sound( also with a used function to tailor all of the fields )... And even better it came with a handy dandy little remote( easy to drop if you have big hands, and too easy to misplace ) cool none the less..

I have 2 of these head units, one has been around for 3 years the other for almost 2 years with no issues at all... The HD stations are like playing CD'd, as well it give me a wider variety from the standpoint of music choices..

This is the reason I did this, and for all of the features it has for $99, just too hard to pass up.. I am going to install a 4 Channel amp 60x4 @ 4 Ohms just to get a little more out of the system..