pre-2003 class 2 radio swap into post 2003 truck

[AuroraGirl]

2003 in trucks marked a large change from 1.5 din size radios and non class 2 functionality. not sure if they used theftlock but if they did, it proabbly used a code instead of by VIN.

2002 in the H/C/G models (Aurora, Bonneville, Lesabre, Park Avenue) was the year that Theftlock II (The VIN kind) came to their already class 2 radios (since 97, 2000 depending on the model)
Which means that 1997-2001 radios from these cars do not tie to the VIN, and they also are class 2.

According to techlinked from like 2002 or 3, the radios for 2003+ trucks need to be configured when they are programmed with software to the vehicles setup (number of speakers, amps or not, cd changers, rear audio or not, etc) or there will be damage to the radio

Frankly, i am willing to try out stuffing my 1998 park avenue loaded radio in and seeing what happens. im 70% certain the connectors are the same and they both "lock and dock" connect

Thoughts? any experience? I Want a cheap (free) upgrade to my literal base radio which only is AM/FM and nothing else

 

[DateNight]

I’ve swapped 1.5 GM radios between several different vehicles. My favorite was when I used a 1.5 din GM radio from a 2001 Tahoe in a 1985 square body and used a 1990 suburban dash bezel.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Theres also an amp but its for 9 speakers not 4

 

[AuroraGirl]

I’ve swapped 1.5 GM radios between several different vehicles. My favorite was when I used a 1.5 din GM radio from a 2001 Tahoe in a 1985 square body and used a 1990 suburban dash bezel.

nice, not quite what im meaning but i got this:

If i ever want a 1.5 with a broken casette player Lol!

 

[AuroraGirl]

Gmt800


Now park avenue:

Shoot connector may be different..

 

[AuroraGirl]

Gmt800


Park avenue

 

[AuroraGirl]

 

[AuroraGirl]

I have a radio that a po had put in an olds aurora that I used to own, before I sold it I put the original radio back in. I kept the single din radio. If it has the adapter harness In it still, it’s the same connector as the Chevy truck.
I’ll have to investigate

 

[AuroraGirl]

new issue: I dont evidently have the harness that would go to the radio

its a KD-HDR71BT


At least they are both micro pack 100s

I dont have a spare 34 pin outside of taking it out of my 1999 park avenue

Its not going anywhere.. so maybe might as well LOL
I should have cut the harness when i harvested the radio from a 98 since it was a parting out car anyway, oh well

I hope a small tool I have will depin these nicely

 

[AuroraGirl]

 

[ORVietVet]

Being old, I am fine with a couple talk radio stations and an old country western/blues station on my radio. You guys/gals sure spend a lot of time on all this. Have fun.

 

[TooleyOnDeck]

I understand that you're wanting a stock looking HU at minimum cost, but at what point do you decide that your time is worth more than the effort? Entry-level HUs are under $100 these days and by the time you figure out all of that wiring and re-pinning what are you actually gaining? A CD player?

 

[INW-Iron-Steel]

I understand that you're wanting a stock looking HU at minimum cost, but at what point do you decide that your time is worth more than the effort? Entry-level HUs are under $100 these days and by the time you figure out all of that wiring and re-pinning what are you actually gaining? A CD player?

Couldn't agree more! Entry level stuff is seriously good and cheap these days! I pulled my nice Alpine setup out and slammed this Infinity HU in my 03 Mustang before I let my friend use it for a while. I overthink things and didn't want the car to get totaled and have someone not think about snagging my nice stereo parts. Anyway, $48 on Amazon with bluetooth! Bluetooth is the biggest reason for doing any stereo work on an old rig, IMO. I hate talk radio, and most of the music on FM is garbage these days. I always have my phone on me anyway, so I might as well listen to the music I want.

Amazon.com

 

[AuroraGirl]

I understand that you're wanting a stock looking HU at minimum cost, but at what point do you decide that your time is worth more than the effort? Entry-level HUs are under $100 these days and by the time you figure out all of that wiring and re-pinning what are you actually gaining? A CD player?

AND a tape player! Lol!
More tone controls, better head unit from factory, as much burnt out backlighting, works with chimes and such


BUT i think i may have an issue, im not that sure of my plan because of the fact I cant seem to actuallly prove my radio is class 2
It has E&C which is a different databus that would be the thing to turn it on
But i dont know how the chimes are transferred, still reading on that

Also, i am trying to not spend money
I have a JVC from 10 years ago that i just need a harness and has bluetooth, cd, usb, etc...
But i want that in my f150 which has a BAD radio (I have to smack dash to stop a death noise often)
because it will pop in (single din)
I do have a radio in my first car i could pull out.. but still


The gm radio would be a lot of learning and if i toast the radio i simply dont care because 1998 park avenue radios are defective (antenna/noise problem) that requires a NLA part to fix
If it can be done ill have learned a bit about how the radios work and have understanding

But im still reading to see if my class 2 will turn on a e&c radio

 

[AuroraGirl]

so it looks like the time/presets MIGHT not work if i leave serial untouched, but because the radio has multiple positive power pins i think it may be ok on this

I wonder if the trucks dimming can control the vfd dimming , id assume so but I dont think the radio dims the same way as a resisted dial, I think it just has off and a set point for some of the buttons, and then the display itself dims