Doubledingo's 2005 4x4 Tahoe LS

[TotalyHucked]

I want to swap in an OEM radio (UB1), but I am wondering if it may be easier to just buy a new JVC since the bluetooth microphone and other stuff was already installed with the current JVC. I have no idea what they did or did not do to install the JVC. Did they replace everything? Or just install the head unit? I need to dig into that.

I would find an aftermarket headunit you like. Unfortunately in these, you can't just swap in another OE, the security system won't allow it. Any OE headunit you pick up will be VIN locked to the vehicle it came out of, the dealer is the only one that can unlock/reprogram and these are old enough they may not be able to anymore or have a tech that knows how.

Get the harness through Crutchfield, they'll ask some questions about the options and have the harness you need and it'll be good quality. I've never had luck getting harnesses anywhere else. As long as the PO didn't butcher it and hardwire everything like it's 1970, you should be able to unplug what's there and plug in your new harness. Then the other end of the harness just wires to the radio wires.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I would find an aftermarket headunit you like. Unfortunately in these, you can't just swap in another OE, the security system won't allow it. Any OE headunit you pick up will be VIN locked to the vehicle it came out of, the dealer is the only one that can unlock/reprogram and these are old enough they may not be able to anymore or have a tech that knows how.

Get the harness through Crutchfield, they'll ask some questions about the options and have the harness you need and it'll be good quality. I've never had luck getting harnesses anywhere else. As long as the PO didn't butcher it and hardwire everything like it's 1970, you should be able to unplug what's there and plug in your new harness. Then the other end of the harness just wires to the radio wires.

Thanks, that is what I thought. Also, thank for explaining the lock/unlock, I saw that on ebay but didn't know what it meant. Aftermarket it is. From the rpo codes there shouldn't be an amp.

 

[TotalyHucked]

IIRC, the trucks will either have Bose (which was only in trucks with a console cuz that's where the amp lived) or not and either have OnStar or not. Those are the main two things Crutchfield will want to know I think

 

[Grit dog]

You should modify by finding out if your doors have the harness for the courtesy lamps. If they don’t then you have a 03+ with a Chevy 99-02 front end and then someone tried to bring the door panels with.

The harness if not present you can cheat and put a feed off the front ones or the under dash.

Do you have a glovebox lamp and under dash lamp? If you do, that means it’s most likely 2002 or older unless they brought them too. Your underhood lamp, could you follow the harness for it and show me where it goes?

You’re also missing a ground strap for the hood. (Radio suppression) it goes on the firewall by brake boosted

Would be really odd if that vehicle ended up being a cobbled together wreck, which is what you’re suggesting.

 

[legopnuematic]

you have a 03+ with a Chevy 99-02 front end

Tahoes and burbs (except for Mexico) never went to the cat eye front like the pickups.

 

[Grit dog]

After replacing the drl bulbs and wipers I decided to check the coolant level because it was cool. Coolant level was where it needs to be. Then checked the brake fluid. Yikes! It was low. That explains why the pedal was soft. It stopped well, just a little mushy pedal. This morning, the brakes are nice and firm.

With all due respect I don’t think topping off the brake fluid changed the performance of the brakes. Either the MC sucked air because it was too low or it didn’t. More fluid in the reservoir doesn’t make the brakes work better. Just like more gas in the tank doesn’t make more horsepower.
That said keep checking it (for leaks) and check your brake pads and rotors. Barring any leaks, low fluid indicates very worn brake pads and or rotors. Likely old fluid (assuming) as well. If the new fluid is brown again in a week, remove it and replace with new….repeat until you’ve gotten a lot of the old juice out. Unless you plan on flushing the brake fluid the proper/formal way.

 

[Grit dog]

Thanks, that is what I thought. Also, thank for explaining the lock/unlock, I saw that on ebay but didn't know what it meant. Aftermarket it is. From the rpo codes there shouldn't be an amp.

Solid advice from @TotalyHucked. But take it apart first. You said the radio doesn’t work but lights up? Cross your fingers it wasn’t hacked into the wiring. (Less likely based on the condition and vibe of the vehicle. It looks like a grandma vehicle that was well kept, not abused and not owned by someone who did their own maint and repairs.
I also will only buy harnesses from Crutchfield. If I buy a head unit it comes from Crutchfield. Period. Not worth a few $ maybe saved from some dickint stereo place or Crapazon. Other audio components no problem getting wherever. Haven’t had a harness with issues from Crutchfield in 35 years. Have seen others that were not good.

 

[TotalyHucked]

You should modify by finding out if your doors have the harness for the courtesy lamps. If they don’t then you have a 03+ with a Chevy 99-02 front end and then someone tried to bring the door panels with.

The harness if not present you can cheat and put a feed off the front ones or the under dash.

Do you have a glovebox lamp and under dash lamp? If you do, that means it’s most likely 2002 or older unless they brought them too. Your underhood lamp, could you follow the harness for it and show me where it goes?

You’re also missing a ground strap for the hood. (Radio suppression) it goes on the firewall by brake boosted

The SUVs never got the updated '03-up front end. That truck being an '05 won't have a glove box light, footwell lights or underhood light.

Also, the ground strap for the hood is right where it should be...

 

[DoubleDingo]

IIRC, the trucks will either have Bose (which was only in trucks with a console cuz that's where the amp lived) or not and either have OnStar or not. Those are the main two things Crutchfield will want to know I think

I checked out crutchfield on Saturday night, but I was on my phone and didn't get the question section. Not sure why. I went to the website right after your response and was able enter the vehicle and answer the questions. I think I will just remove the jvc and then order accordingly after I get eyes on what was done.

 

[Georgeb]

How's it going stranger?

Oh Man, it is going well. My kids are growing up. I sent one off to college this week and the boy is in his last year of Middle School. He is a menace on the football field. 14 years old at 6' and 215# makes him a force to recon with in his grade.

I sold off the 2003 Burb for a 2013 Burb about 5 years ago now. We sold the old Mirro-Craft boat and picked up a nicer and bigger Alumacraft. Been fishing and vacationing a bunch over the years. We drove out to Yellowstone and back this past June too.

Work is work. I went and got important so as a manager I have plenty of stress to go around but the pay is good and the work life balance fits so...

 

[DoubleDingo]

With all due respect I don’t think topping off the brake fluid changed the performance of the brakes. Either the MC sucked air because it was too low or it didn’t. More fluid in the reservoir doesn’t make the brakes work better. Just like more gas in the tank doesn’t make more horsepower.
That said keep checking it (for leaks) and check your brake pads and rotors. Barring any leaks, low fluid indicates very worn brake pads and or rotors. Likely old fluid (assuming) as well. If the new fluid is brown again in a week, remove it and replace with new….repeat until you’ve gotten a lot of the old juice out. Unless you plan on flushing the brake fluid the proper/formal way.

It did improve the pedal feel, but replacing the juice is on to-do list. It was pretty low, and I should have checked it before leaving the lot. I know car salesmen are crooks and liars, why I believed the guy when he said they change the oil, check the transmission and brakes is beyond me. The oil was a little on the darker side when I checked it after getting home. Not black, not new. If it was fresh, it would look fresh. Same with the transmission fluid. If they did a drain and fill it would look better. It isn't bad, but it isn't nice and red. That'll be getting a drain and fill along with a filter change. First on fluid change list is oil and filter, just bought some and will get it after work. When I finally get to crawl under the vehicle with it raised I can inspect everything, including the brakes. Having good brakes is a must.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Solid advice from @TotalyHucked. But take it apart first. You said the radio doesn’t work but lights up? Cross your fingers it wasn’t hacked into the wiring. (Less likely based on the condition and vibe of the vehicle. It looks like a grandma vehicle that was well kept, not abused and not owned by someone who did their own maint and repairs.
I also will only buy harnesses from Crutchfield. If I buy a head unit it comes from Crutchfield. Period. Not worth a few $ maybe saved from some dickint stereo place or Crapazon. Other audio components no problem getting wherever. Haven’t had a harness with issues from Crutchfield in 35 years. Have seen others that were not good.

The radio is dead. The only thing that works is the cd eject motor. I am hoping it was a clean installation. It seems to be by the way the bluetooth mic is routed. It's an obsolete head unit, so it was done a very long time ago.

I glanced at the name on the title before the dealer put it back in the envelope, and it was a man's name on it. My guess is grandpa and/or grandma vehicle and they passed away and they survivor(s) didn't want anything to do with it and sold to auction. The dealer bought it from carmax or carfax, that is if he didn't lie to me...lol...

Good to know about crutchfield. I've heard they're overpriced, but spending more sometimes is a plus.

 

[Ricko1966]

It did improve the pedal feel, but replacing the juice is on to-do list. It was pretty low, and I should have checked it before leaving the lot. I know car salesmen are crooks and liars, why I believed the guy when he said they change the oil, check the transmission and brakes is beyond me. The oil was a little on the darker side when I checked it after getting home. Not black, not new. If it was fresh, it would look fresh. Same with the transmission fluid. If they did a drain and fill it would look better. It isn't bad, but it isn't nice and red. That'll be getting a drain and fill along with a filter change. First on fluid change list is oil and filter, just bought some and will get it after work. When I finally get to crawl under the vehicle with it raised I can inspect everything, including the brakes. Having good brakes is a must.

A full fluid on that transmission is over 3 gallons,so just changing out 4 quarts isn't going to have all the fluid looking pretty 2/3 of it is still 100,000 plus miles old. Put a drain plug in it and do 3 spill and fills in rapid succession like once a month or so then do one spill fill a year or 6 months

 

[DoubleDingo]

Oh Man, it is going well. My kids are growing up. I sent one off to college this week and the boy is in his last year of Middle School. He is a menace on the football field. 14 years old at 6' and 215# makes him a force to recon with in his grade.

I sold off the 2003 Burb for a 2013 Burb about 5 years ago now. We sold the old Mirro-Craft boat and picked up a nicer and bigger Alumacraft. Been fishing and vacationing a bunch over the years. We drove out to Yellowstone and back this past June too.

Work is work. I went and got important so as a manager I have plenty of stress to go around but the pay is good and the work life balance fits so...

That kid is a beast! Being JV age and that size, it's only bigger, better, faster from there.

You have lots of water to fish from up there. Seeing the great lakes is on my list of places to see.

I hear you on the work. I'm not management, not politically correct enough for that jazz, but work is steady, keeps me on my toes, and mind sharp. I love designing projects, but retirement is calling my name, might be going next year. Partly why I wanted a new-ish vehicle. Can work on the old stuff and leave it apart while the new one gets used.

 

[DoubleDingo]

A full fluid on that transmission is over 3 gallons,so just changing out 4 quarts isn't going to have all the fluid looking pretty 2/3 of it is still 100,000 plus miles old. Put a drain plug in it and do 3 spill and fills in rapid succession like once a month or so then do one spill fill a year or 6 months

That was the plan, drain and fill, then do it again in short order until the fluid is clean(er)