OEM vs. Aftermarket Head Unit

Hey everyone,

Recently blew my speakers, and I was thinking about doing an upgrade once I get them replaced under warranty. If I decide to replace the stock head unit (6-inch w/out nav), I'd like to still make use of the steering wheel controls, hands free as well as the USB & Aux. port. Is this possible with an aftermarket head unit? Also, is it possible to stick with a stock unit and hookup an amp and so forth?

Any suggestions on a clean setup?

Cheers,
C

 

Yes, you can keep your wheel controls and AUX port for sure. I don't have hands free or USB. I recently replaced my stock unit with a Pioneer 3500 bhs. Best part I was able to take my back up camera from rear view mirror to the screen on the new head unit.

 

I just installed an app radio 3 today as a matter of fact and yes there is an adapter for your USB port. It ran me 25 dollars.

 

Oh yeah and most definitely go after market as far as the deck is concerned. Speakers sound a million times better when connected to an aftermarket deck

 

Like everyone has said, you can retain the steering wheel controls as well as the USB port. With the Aux Port might need to get a little creative and wire it yourself. I didn't bother with it on my 2013 since I just use the USB port or Bluetooth anyhow.

Most stereos come with their own handsfree microphone that clips into the headliner. I went ahead and just used it instead of wiring up my 2013's stock microphone. Most everyone says I sound clearer on the aftermarket microphone anyhow.

Stock stereo with aftermarket speakers, IMHO, isn't worth it at all. You'd be better off putting money into an aftermarket head unit and sticking with the stock speakers. The head unit is garbage for audio quality so your aftermarket speakers would be playing garbage (garbage in, garbage out). I went this route on my truck and the stock speakers sound MUCH better than when I had the stock unit in. It will sound even better once I deaden the doors and will sound sublime when I get my Hybrid Audio speakers put in.

Just some food for thought.

 

Most aftermarkets have USB and-or Aux. My kenwood CD ran me under 200 bucks and has both..just plug it into the radio versus the port down below.

Another thing is aftermarket will have more wattage over the stock by far.

 

The Pioneer deck looks awesome! -How do you like it so far? Did you bother hooking up the Aux. port or?

>>>I like the location of the USB and Aux. down low so definitely will aim for a deck with a compatible adapter. From what I've been reading, sticking with the stock deck will be a PITA. What dash kits are you guys' using?

 

For the 2013, I think Metra is closer to the finish with the glossy black.

I went with Alpine's 8" and the Perfect FIT dash so I really don't know about other kits.

 

The AUX was plug and play with the adapter for my steering wheel controls.

 

Sick! Now just to decide a deck. Up here everything is marked up so high...

 

I was able to use the same AUX port by removing the "guts" of the existing port until only the front part was present. I then shoved (used some force) to push the aftermarket usb that came with my 8500bhs into the port. It works perfectly and you cannot tell it has been changed.

 

i just got mine today cant wait to get it in ,whats involved to make that happen ( rear view on screen )

 

Did you get it off eBay? Mine was pretty much plug and play with the exception of splicing one wire. I was a nervous wreck to splice it in, but I took my time and kept the instructions over and over.

 

naw my pioneer 3500 HU just came in,whats needed for for rear cam on screen..is there an adapter and from what in reading here it needs to be hard wired?
sorry for hijacking your tread " cdcl " my experience in simple plug and play installs has always been an improvement,components are coming soon with sound deadning of doors just my 2 cents....

 

You can use the factory HU with any speakers if you get a JL Cleansweep. I have it and it is awesome. But it is expensive and it's an auto EQ. But I'm about to upgrade to an aftermarket deck myself so I understand.

 

Do you have a low volume hiss with the Cleansweep?

 

Do you still have to buy the extra cable for an IPhone with he newer Pioneers? Also can you play music through the Bluetooth? I would have already bought a new HU if I could get these features as I have speakers and amps from my last truck. I just don't want to lose the convienence of not having to have to plug my phone in every time I get in the truck.

 

Don't be man... I need all the info I can get haha

 

Here is the info from a previous post.

Bought it off eBay. From this buyer.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/ckremernimro...1&_ipg=&_from=

He can fabricate the harness to your equipment. It is almost plug and play. There was one wire I had to cut and tap into. Instructions where pretty straight forward.

The seller includes instructions just be sure to read them and make sure you got it down. His instructions have extra in them like how to install a new camera. It threw me a curve at first.

 

I have the 8500bhs and can stream BT music without connecting anything. The cord you would connect from the radio to your phone gives you apps/internet connection for things like GPS directions, pandora, etc.

I bought the cord and only used it once. I hate that if I use Nav from my phone, I cannot listen to the music on the radio. I guess with driving directions being given it might be hard to control music and BT volume from the HU?? This means if I am using GPS and Sirius at the same time I am using mass data from my limited plan (Sirius streams at about 1mb per minute) and I have no idea if my battery can even be charged fast enough to cover both of those plus the screen being on the entire time (for Android anyway if the phone screen is off, so is the radio screen).