Chevy Express + Stereo Install

Noir · #1 10-02-2005, 08:34 AM

Is there anything special about installing a CD player in a 2005 Chevy Express work van? A friend of mine just bought one and was asking if I could help him put one in. The price for a CD player from factory was $580 for the part w/no labor.

He was thinking about putting a $200-$300 one in from Best Buy's or Circuit City.

When I called for the price for the CD player, they told me that if one was to put an aftermarket CD player in it, one has to configure the computer to work with the CD player. :huh: Is that true or is the dude yanking my chain? I figured it would be a straight and simple install. Anyone heard of this?

Thanks for the help!

Manarius · #2 10-02-2005, 09:34 AM

Well, if it has a radio already in it, I don't see why putting another in to replace it would be an issue. Just match connectors and that's that.

However, if it doesn't already have a radio, things could get tough because you'd have to splice into the system for power.

And as for this BS about the computer: Unless you need RDS, don't worry about it.

Noir · #3 10-02-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manarius

Well, if it has a radio already in it, I don't see why putting another in to replace it would be an issue. Just match connectors and that's that.

However, if it doesn't already have a radio, things could get tough because you'd have to splice into the system for power.

And as for this BS about the computer: Unless you need RDS, don't worry about it.

that's what i thought. what is RDS?

Manarius · #4 10-02-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

that's what i thought. what is RDS?

RDS radios have this nifty little feature where they get louder in conjunction with how fast the engine is going (ie, more RPM's Radio goes louder). That's not to say you can't adjust the volume yourself, but it does get a little louder in conjunction with the RPM's. That may be where changing the computer may come in. However, I find it not worth it seeing as I have my radio either off or blasting.

Landshark · #5 10-02-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

Is there anything special about installing a CD player in a 2005 Chevy Express work van? A friend of mine just bought one and was asking if I could help him put one in. The price for a CD player from factory was $580 for the part w/no labor.

He was thinking about putting a $200-$300 one in from Best Buy's or Circuit City.

When I called for the price for the CD player, they told me that if one was to put an aftermarket CD player in it, one has to configure the computer to work with the CD player. :huh: Is that true or is the dude yanking my chain? I figured it would be a straight and simple install. Anyone heard of this?

Thanks for the help!

Best Buy said the SVX has a factory amplifier hidden under the dash somewhere that needed to be bypassed, so i declined their "free install".

i can see no reason the stereo would be tied into the engine computer, unless its some sort of anti-theft function. possibly tied into the climate control computer, but i doubt it.

thundering02 · #6 10-02-2005, 04:13 PM

The GM work vans from a prevous job this year had RDS.

Noir · #7 10-02-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

Best Buy said the SVX has a factory amplifier hidden under the dash somewhere that needed to be bypassed, so i declined their "free install".

i can see no reason the stereo would be tied into the engine computer, unless its some sort of anti-theft function. possibly tied into the climate control computer, but i doubt it.

yeah, i've done a few installs. it ain't rocket science. i don't trust installers, so i opt to do it myself....

Noir · #8 10-02-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thundering02

The GM work vans from a prevous job this year had RDS.

hmm..i wonder if that'll be a problem. i'm assuming not, but you never know.

NikFu S. · #9 10-02-2005, 06:32 PM

I drive a 2004 Chevy Express pretty much everyday. I can find out if it has RDS.
Sweet van. I'd buy one if I had to.

Shadow248 · #10 10-02-2005, 09:51 PM

I think you may be confusing anagrams.

RDS = Radio Data Service
SCV = Speed Contouring Volume

SCV is one of those things that i'm surprised few companies have tried to copy. It's frikin amazing (and it's defeatable for haters). However, even if the van has it, it has no bearing on a new system since the new head unit would just not utilize the signal lead that feeds the SCV controller in the stock system. The only reason i could possibly see that anyone would caution you about messing up the computer during a head unit change would be in a car where the security system is buried in the head unit. GM stopped doing that aroudn 2002 or so. Plus, I doubt a work van would have that feature anway.

It should be a piece of cake install.

Noir · #11 10-02-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow248

I think you may be confusing anagrams.

you mean acronyms?

yeah i hope it's easy.

Landshark · #12 10-02-2005, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow248

SCV = Speed Contouring Volume

each manufacturer has its own name for the feature (and usually an acronym to go with it.)

i've seen AVC (Active Volume Control), and my stereo has DNC (Dynamic Noise Cover).

Shadow248 · #13 10-03-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

you mean acronyms?

yeah i hope it's easy.

Drove 8.5 hours from ohio yesterday, got home at 10PM. Check time of post. Nuff said.

Noir · #14 10-03-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow248

Drove 8.5 hours from ohio yesterday, got home at 10PM. Check time of post. Nuff said.

GM engineers must drive from Ohio alot.

Shadow248 · #15 10-04-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

GM engineers must drive from Ohio alot.

Did pass the Lordstown Assembly Plant ("Cobalt generator") on the way.

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