Sticky: Installing the GM navigation radio in my Acadia

[Guest]

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Blue_2009_SLT2]

Welcome to the forum.

Your post was moved from the GMC Acadia section to the AV nav section and merged into the OEM nav unit thread that should answer your question- there is a link to a guide in the first post. It is helpful to use the search box at the upper right part of the page to look for this information before starting a new thread.

You should always confirm with the seller what you are buying and get pictures of everything.

[lilsalmon]

Just purchased a 2007 Acadia for my wife. The only item missing that I would like to add is a nav unit. I am going back and forth between aftermarket and factory. Could someone tell me if this unit from a 2009 acadia will fit my 07?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-Saturn-Outlook-GMC-Acadia-navigation-radio_W0QQitemZ200361665765QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_Video?hash=item2ea67c64e5&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

Thanks.

-Lil'

[AA/78U]

Hi and welcome,

I would suggest searching through the Audio, Video, NAV section of this forum; a lot of the sticky threads can answer your questions.  I know there will be more involved than just swapping out the radio.  Please update with your vehicle specifics and your geographic location

Thanks and good luck

[lilsalmon]

Thanks. I did search through and couldn't really find anything on it.

Its an SLT2. We are from PA.

I have the entire build report from GM for the Vehicle, just let me know what you need.

I currently have this unit in the vehicle based off of the build data.

AM-mono-FM-stereo-w/multi CD player-MP3 "US9" (not available with overhead DVD, will not play a DVD)


Thanks.


-Lil'

[mikemu]

Get yourself a portable unit and then you'll have the option of moving it from one car to another.  Built in unit looks neat but that's about it.  The portables work very well.

[lilsalmon]

Thanks Mike... I appreciate the input. I do have a portable however I like the built in ability and look.

[AA/78U]

Thanks. I did search through and couldn't really find anything on it.

Its an SLT2. We are from PA.

I have the entire build report from GM for the Vehicle, just let me know what you need.

I currently have this unit in the vehicle based off of the build data.

AM-mono-FM-stereo-w/multi CD player-MP3 "US9" (not available with overhead DVD, will not play a DVD)


Thanks.


-Lil'

Most SLT-2's come with DVD/NAV (at least from what I've seen).  Anyway; I am not the expert on NAV but there are others here who can answer your question; stay tuned

[lilsalmon]

Thanks so much guys I really appreciate the input. It defintely is an SLT-2 and it definetly has no nav. Who great input thought from all ... hoping someone can give me an idea.

[Blue_2009_SLT2]

Thanks. I did search through and couldn't really find anything on it.

I don't know how to make it any easier¹ to find than to make it a sticky in the AV Nav section and call it
   
Sticky: Installing the GM navigation radio in my Acadia

Read the very first post- there is a linked thread that shows the install process in an Outlook- the Acadia will be the same except for lighting color.

¹ Suggestions?

EDIT
Merged this one into that one.

[lilsalmon]

Before jumping to conclusions, please read my post again. I am not questioning HOW to install it, I am questioning wether an '09 nav unit CAN be put into an 07 vehicle. Basically is the '09 unit compatible with the '07 vehicle. Have harnesses changed, Buses etc.

Can someone help answer my original question?

Thanks.

-Lil'

[loach]

I think the main difference between the '09 vs. '07-08 units is the addition of XM Navtraffic capabilities in the '09s.  I'm not sure exactly how that additional functionality was implemented, but there may well be some differences in harnesses as a result.  The other issue will be whether your dealer is able to reprogram the computer to recognize an '09 head unit.  When you swap radios in these GMLAN systems, the chime volume is insanely loud until the dealer reprograms the computer to recognize the new head unit.

I would not try what you are contemplating.  It might work, but it may well not.  If I were you I'd be patient and find an '07-08 Nav unit or go aftermarket.   

[lilsalmon]

Will do loach. I appreciate the feedback. I think I am going to do exactly that based on your response. Have you noticed these other units on ebay with a model# GM-700. Its an aftermarket unit made by some group called 'Concept' that looks strikingly similar to the factory unit. They run about 700. Has anyone here have experience with these and would you recommend them?

Thanks again.

-Lil'

[rexster]

Will do loach. I appreciate the feedback. I think I am going to do exactly that based on your response. Have you noticed these other units on ebay with a model# GM-700. Its an aftermarket unit made by some group called 'Concept' that looks strikingly similar to the factory unit. They run about 700. Has anyone here have experience with these and would you recommend them?

That unit looks good, but make sure the maps are updateable. My Kenwood's Garmin unit allows an update through the SD slot behind the screen

Rex

[lilsalmon]

My biggest concern is it working in harmony with XM, onstar etc.... would love to know if anyone here has installed it and their experiences

[Blue_2009_SLT2]

Before jumping to conclusions, please read my post again. I am not questioning HOW to install it, I am questioning whether an '09 nav unit CAN be put into an 07 vehicle. Basically is the '09 unit compatible with the '07 vehicle. Have harnesses changed, Buses etc.

Can someone help answer my original question?

Thanks.

-Lil'

I was not jumping to any conclusions. If you will note in the install thread linked, that member also has a 2007 model so you can glean some of the "how" from that thread. Can it be installed? Mounting is the same. It is then a simple matter of looking at the plugs on the back of the radio you wish to buy and making sure yours has the same connectors. Of course, you will not have a GPS antenna, and will not have a camera. As mentioned above, reprogramming will be needed.

Further research would reveal the 2009 models have Bluetooth. From what I've read, this was integrated into the head unit. It should use the OnStar microphone already present. Unfortunately, there is not so much in the way of documentation for the GM nav units as there is for the Mopar units. The XM module on our 2009 (and earlier ones based on other info here) is at the driver side rear of the vehicle, so it has no bearing on the head unit.

When trying to do something like this, if you find no one else has done it (I'm not aware that anyone has) and you do follow through on it, please document it as the member with the Outlook did and we can sticky the thread.

[lilsalmon]

Thanks for the reply Blue. No sarcasm meant by my response. I actually bought one of the first Dodge Nitro R/Ts in 07 and went down the route of getting an aftermarket DVD/Nav system to work in conjunction with steering wheel controls etc. etc. And let me tell you... it was a pain in the rear and I wish I would have just put the correct unit it. I did document all of this and help other members of the community I was apart of.

I do however appreciate your insight. I think I am either going to hope for someone who has bought that GM-700 unit on ebay, wait for an 07 nav unit to pop up on ebay or just go the aftermarket route.

If anyone has some experience with the GM-700 unit. In case anyone was wondering what I was referring to.

http://www.amazon.com/Concept-GM-700-%25201cFactory-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B002AS9WB8

Thanks again.

-Lil

[Blue_2009_SLT2]

No problem- I got the 27J package in my Challenger after seeing how hard it would be to retrofit the electronics package. The MyGig unit is awesome. I figured you wanted a 2009 model for the Bluetooth function. Is it that hard to find a good used 2007-08 unit?

I like the SD card nav function, Ipod input, Bluetooth, and text to speech features on the linked Amazon unit, but I've never heard of the Concept or Roadview brand of car audio. I'm a little concerned that the actual brand name doesn't seem to appear anywhere. There were no reviews on it. $2,000 seems like way too much money.

This appears to be the same thing for less than half the cost ($850):
Roadview GM-700

It's here for $599:
Big 5 Electronics

This looks to be the home page for it:
Concept buy dot com

I noted there is no support or download link for it and no mention of a warranty. I like to download manuals for stuff like this so I can read them ahead of time & see if there will be any problems. I looked up the Concept Buy website & they look to be based in California. It's a hosted website so not a whole lot of info is there.

If this does what it says, I'd say it would be an easier install for less money (if the lower prices are valid) with more features than the GM unit. You could always get a Square Trade warranty for it in case the manufacturer one is not so good.

Keep us posted on what you do.

[lilsalmon]

hehe ... you sound similar to me... I like to read up and tinker.... No actually The 09 one seemed to be one of the only units on ebay at the time... there are more now.

I did track down the Concept homepage but it seems information on that unit is scarce at best. If it was say 200 bucks I'd take the leap and try to make it work, but not for 600. God knows how many PAC and Scoche add-ons I would have to use to get it to interface correctly, bringing it to the same price as a new OEM nav.

Yea.. I had a ton 'o fun messing with the can-bus system that integrates with the dodge products in my nitro. I actually managed to make a custom Zune interface with my clarion unit, including remote in my nitro.

15 minutes of fame
http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/985/lilsalmon-gives-2007-dodge-nitro-a-custom-zune-treatment.html

I will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

-Lil'

[rexster]

God knows how many PAC and Scoche add-ons I would have to use to get it to interface correctly, bringing it to the same price as a new OEM nav.
-Lil'

Since you don't have a rear DVD to fool with, all it takes is the gmlan adapter of your choice, and the pac-swijack to retain steering wheel controls. Everything else (antenna for gps, antenna for sirius/xm, etc) you would need no matter what the brand of aftermarket unit. I put a Kenwood unit in my Enclave last year and have been extremely happy with it. I had the OEM rear DVD so I had to have another adapter for that. I'm sure you would need sometype of aftermarket lan adapter for the GM700 unit that was mentioned before.

Rex

[loach]

I think Crutchfield had those GM-700 radios for sale very briefly, only they were marketed under the brand name "OEM" - yes that was the brand name they were using.  Kind of misleading, eh?  Anyway, the fact that Crutchfield only sold them briefly would make me very leery because they know their stuff pretty well.  I would suspect they might have had problems/complaints with them and pulled them from their offerings.