Thread: Aftermarket headunit install on BOSE system??

I just replaced the system in my '02. Always thought Bose was horrible because there was virtually no bass. Now with some saying it sounds great, maybe I had an issue with the amp or something. Car had about 40k on it when i got it 18 months ago and I had to put a 10" sub in it right away to stop my ears from bleeding. Now I've replaced the door speakers, 6x9s and head unit with an Alpine 9885 and added a couple of amps. Much clearer now and there's different sounds in the music I never knew existed. Definately worth the upgrade.

At any rate, I wouldnt be too concerned about losing Onstar. 2002 and older, maybe even 2003 cars with the analog system wont work anyway now...or shortly, since Onstar is killing the analog service.

I forget now what all chimes were actually heard before, but the key in the ignition chime is still there after replacing everything. There are no chimes with the car running and the door open which is nice.

The shop I got my radio harness from didnt show one for a car with bose/onstar. They wanted to sell me this $100 thing to keep everything working. I said just give me a harness for a car that doesnt have bose/onstar and I'll see what happens. Worked perfectly.

Originally Posted by GeddyLee

Question for ya Fade....

You said you had the shop install a cable that didnt have bose/onstar option, and you said it worked perfectly? Are you saying your Bose stuff still worked after the cable the shop installed or did you get rid of your Bose at the same time for the new speakers?

Just curious.

Sorry, yeah I should have been a little clearer. I swapped out everything. But the main thing, was that the shop didnt know if the $15 harness listed for a car without bose/onstar would mate up to the factory harness plug end for a car with those things. It did. They were unsure because they just had a listing for the $100 item mentioned earlier and said the ends could be different. Anyone that ever had bose in a GP just got the "proper" kit in their experience. Thats great if you want to try to keep everything original as possible in regards to warning sounds, but I'm sure glad I dont have that "dinging" when the doors are open now

On a side note, I kinda miss the steering wheel controls too going aftermarket because I'll forget and try to use them. But its a worth while trade off. Steering wheel controls can be restored, but I'm not concerned.