Installing new radio in 2003 Sierra - double din

[Bob CTS]

Has anyone installed an aftermarket radio in a ~2003 Sierra? I have noticed that double din radios fit. Crutchfield states that the removal of the rear bracket is needed on single and double din radios. I looked on YouTube and I have noted that some say it is not necessary.

So if anyone has some insight let me know.

Thanks

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

Has anyone installed an aftermarket radio in a ~2003 Sierra? I have noticed that double din radios fit. Crutchfield states that the removal of the rear bracket is needed on single and double din radios. I looked on YouTube and I have noted that some say it is not necessary.

So if anyone has some insight let me know.

Thanks

I've only been involved with 1 install on an '03 GMC (2500) single din and I don't remember doing any custom fabbing or alteration of the factory hardware.
That was a single din Alpine HU.

When they say bracket removal, are they referring to the "cage" that holds the factory head unit in place?
I would never alter that unless you had to, as it involves cutting over the top of and around a lot of important wiring.

What I have seen issues with is the depth of the mounting hardware (holds the source unit) depending on mfr. (Scosche etc)

Some of the late model GMs have less clearance due to HVAC ducting that is placed in the slot that would be directly behind where the head unit goes.
Most of the time, you can remedy that by removing the stud at the rear of the unit to be installed.

Feel free to shoot me a pm if it would be helpful. I'm not the best, but I've installed a lot of aftermarket systems over the last 25 years.
Scott

[carlton_fritz]

478-477-4321. Ask for Billy. Tell him we are friends.

[Bob CTS]

Originally Posted by simpleman68

I've only been involved with 1 install on an '03 GMC (2500) single din and I don't remember doing any custom fabbing or alteration of the factory hardware.
That was a single din Alpine HU.

When they say bracket removal, are they referring to the "cage" that holds the factory head unit in place?
I would never alter that unless you had to, as it involves cutting over the top of and around a lot of important wiring.

What I have seen issues with is the depth of the mounting hardware (holds the source unit) depending on mfr. (Scosche etc)

Some of the late model GMs have less clearance due to HVAC ducting that is placed in the slot that would be directly behind where the head unit goes.
Most of the time, you can remedy that by removing the stud at the rear of the unit to be installed.

Feel free to shoot me a pm if it would be helpful. I'm not the best, but I've installed a lot of aftermarket systems over the last 25 years.
Scott

Mine is a 2500HD, it appears they want the radio bucket modified, the bucket is riveted to the metal bracket. No way would I mess with that. There are two double din radios that say they fit with no modifications, however every single din requires modifying the bucket something I do not care to do.

[Bob CTS]

Originally Posted by carlton_fritz

478-477-4321. Ask for Billy. Tell him we are friends.

[carlton_fritz]

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

Of course you have to call during business hours...

[Stangkiller]

I just installed a 2 din in my 2500hd. I did have to cut the bracket, and use the two required modules.

[Bob CTS]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

I just installed a 2 din in my 2500hd. I did have to cut the bracket, and use the two required modules.

Can I ask what model you installed?

Also did you cut the metal bracket or the plastic part that holds the pin on the factory radio, what year is yours? I looked and that metal bracket is far back in there. One last question, did you try to fit it prior to cutting and if so how much was it off to making it fit.

One module is for the chime was the other for steering controls or did you have OnStar? I do not have OnStar.

Thanks many.

Bob

[Rotorhead]

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

Can I ask what model you installed?

Also did you cut the metal bracket or the plastic part that holds the pin on the factory radio, what year is yours? I looked and that metal bracket is far back in there. One last question, did you try to fit it prior to cutting and if so how much was it off to making it fit.

One module is for the chime was the other for steering controls or did you have OnStar? I do not have OnStar.

Thanks many.

Bob

For steering wheel controls you may have to install a blue tooth transceiver. On my 2007 frontier I used the Axxess adapter,

[Rotorhead]

Buy Axxess XSVI-2003 Class II Data Turn On Interface | Best deals 2008 gmc sierra accessories

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

Can I ask what model you installed?

Also did you cut the metal bracket or the plastic part that holds the pin on the factory radio, what year is yours? I looked and that metal bracket is far back in there. One last question, did you try to fit it prior to cutting and if so how much was it off to making it fit.

One module is for the chime was the other for steering controls or did you have OnStar? I do not have OnStar.

Thanks many.

Bob

I installed the Pioneer App Radio, in my 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

Yes the two modules were the door chime & steering wheel controls. I used the AXXESS adapter, it works ok, it was a real pain trying to get it working, then all the sudden it started working...very frustrating actually.

I also used a relay to try and bypass the parking brake wire...it doesn't work very well on the app radio, I still wound up using a manual switch on the parking brake ground. I intend to add the back up camera sometime soon, and I still want to go back and re-wire/solder everything in place and shorten some of the wiring harnesses.

I did a test fit it was close but I still had to cut out the bracket. I don't have a dremel so I used a hacksaw blade by hand and cut out the plastic in the rear for that pin, it wasn't bad.

Anyways I hope this helps I'll be more than happy to help in any way I can, I just did this install about 2 weeks ago for Christmas.

[Bill]

I put in a single din radio in an '04 Silverado work truck because I wanted a cassette and cd player (put the 6 disc changer behind the seat). One great thing about doing that was it eliminated the damned door chime. Why anyone would want that is beyond me.

Want to listen to your stereo with the driver door open? Ding-ding-ding.....crap!

I didn't have to worry about redundant steering wheel controls because it was a work truck, but my advice would be to forget about trying to keep the chime. Not having it is a plus. You don't get the nanny chime when you don't have a seat belt on, either. The only time I missed the chime was when I realized I had left a turn signal on, 5 miles down the road.

OP, are you looking for a double din because you want an in-dash nav system? Otherwise, I don't see the benefit.

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I put in a single din radio in an '04 Silverado work truck because I wanted a cassette and cd player (put the 6 disc changer behind the seat). One great thing about doing that was it eliminated the damned door chime. Why anyone would want that is beyond me.

Want to listen to your stereo with the driver door open? Ding-ding-ding.....crap!

I didn't have to worry about redundant steering wheel controls because it was a work truck, but my advice would be to forget about trying to keep the chime. Not having it is a plus. You don't get the nanny chime when you don't have a seat belt on, either. The only time I missed the chime was when I realized I had left a turn signal on, 5 miles down the road.

OP, are you looking for a double din because you want an in-dash nav system? Otherwise, I don't see the benefit.

The door chime module includes a switched power, did you buy a module without the door chime but still the switched power?

[Bob CTS]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I put in a single din radio in an '04 Silverado work truck because I wanted a cassette and cd player (put the 6 disc changer behind the seat). One great thing about doing that was it eliminated the damned door chime. Why anyone would want that is beyond me.

Want to listen to your stereo with the driver door open? Ding-ding-ding.....crap!

I didn't have to worry about redundant steering wheel controls because it was a work truck, but my advice would be to forget about trying to keep the chime. Not having it is a plus. You don't get the nanny chime when you don't have a seat belt on, either. The only time I missed the chime was when I realized I had left a turn signal on, 5 miles down the road.

OP, are you looking for a double din because you want an in-dash nav system? Otherwise, I don't see the benefit.

No nav. just like the finished appearance of double din, plus I want the display due to running an ipod. The ding is rather annoying. Especially since right now on every other startup I get a service ABS and there are no codes present. There is a reflash of the EBCM that should fix it but have not gotten truck to dealer.


Did you cut the plastic radio bucket or metal bracket?

[Bob CTS]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

The door chime module includes a switched power, did you buy a module without the door chime but still the switched power?

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

If you want to disable your door chimes, there's a switched accessory fuse in your engine compartment, pull a power from there and run it to your radio.

[Bucwheat]

Post up pix when you are done.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

The door chime module includes a switched power, did you buy a module without the door chime but still the switched power?

I bought nothing but the head unit, the auxillary 6 cd changer, and the wiring harness/face plate combo to install it. Like I said, work truck. When I heard, spend more to get the chime, I said to myself, "NFW, not even if it was free." I hate the chime, as you might guess.

Originally Posted by Bob CTS

No nav. just like the finished appearance of double din, plus I want the display due to running an ipod. The ding is rather annoying. Especially since right now on every other startup I get a service ABS and there are no codes present. There is a reflash of the EBCM that should fix it but have not gotten truck to dealer.


Did you cut the plastic radio bucket or metal bracket?

I cut nothing. I'm intrinsically lazy as well as cheap and easily annoyed by stuff like door chimes. My single din installation met all those needs.