Looking for new radio suggestions

[Beev]

My CD player in my pickup is shot. It just won't read discs anymore, so I want to replace it.

I think I can do it all by myself, but I don't have a clue what I should get at all. My truck is a 2001 GMC Sonoma, and I believe I will have to get some sort of "dash kit" or something in order for any new CD player to fit. Ideally I will use the auxiliary port and just use my phone to play any music.

SO! Suggestions on a radio? Dash kit? I'm not an audiophile at all, so it doesn't need to be an awesome radio, it just needs to play music and sound average

 

[mvbighead]

This:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-33...9644381&sr=8-1

plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-MosKeyto...9644439&sr=1-1

= WIN

Plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-GM1583...9644481&sr=1-1

Plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-1858-...9644704&sr=1-2

 

[mvbighead]

There are other models of the Pioneer dash with USB input, I am just a big fan of not having to use CDs, though I don't want to completely do without CDs either.

Just sync some music to the flash drive and plug in into the faceplate, and away you go.

 

[Beev]

This:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-33...9644381&sr=8-1

plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/LaCie-MosKeyto...9644439&sr=1-1

= WIN

Plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-GM1583...9644481&sr=1-1

Plus this:
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-1858-...9644704&sr=1-2

Thanks! When I put in my vehicle info on the dash kit page it says it won't fit . And what's the last link for?

 

[jtvang125]

Why not one that has a USB port? Just get a flash drive and load your music on it. No need to fiddle with the cord and the phone.

 

[mvbighead]

Thanks! When I put in my vehicle info on the dash kit page it says it won't fit . And what's the last link for?

Interesting... must be a different one that does work I guess.

If you (really) don't know what the last one is for, it's so you can leave the wiring in the vehicle in tact and just snap the connectors together to power your equipment, rather than cutting wires in the vehicle.

 

[mvbighead]

Why not one that has a USB port? Just get a flash drive and load your music on it. No need to fiddle with the cord and the phone.

That's what I linked... (on all counts).

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've had good luck with Pioneer brand head units. My current one has Sirius satellite radio, bluetooth, and iPod interface. All of which are controlled by the HU itself so there are no seperate add ons cluttering up my dash. The satellite radio is buried deep in the dash and the pickup sits on the dash up near the windshield. The iPod connector is in a little cubby in the dash, I can just pull the chord out and plug in my iPod.

Between Howard Stern and the iPod I never listen to terrestrial radio or CDs anymore.

 

[Beev]

Interesting... must be a different one that does work I guess.

If you (really) don't know what the last one is for, it's so you can leave the wiring in the vehicle in tact and just snap the connectors together to power your equipment, rather than cutting wires in the vehicle.

I really didn't know, so thank you.

Also, I had no idea vehicle radios had USB ports, that's absolutely the route I will go.

 

[mvbighead]

I really didn't know, so thank you.

Also, I had no idea vehicle radios had USB ports, that's absolutely the route I will go.

Glad to help on that then.

I will say that the Pioneer one that I now own, I absolutely love the thing. The USB drive I linked is perfect for it as it sits about a 1/4" out from the face place, which is about the same as the volume knob. No changing disks, and no plugging something in every time I get in the car.

I did try a Sony that had Bluetooth, but the CD playback didn't work. Bluetooth calling was pretty neat, but that doesn't mask the silence on my drive to work. Tried a couple different Sony's thinking I just had a bad unit, but something about the wiring just wasn't working in my Jeep. Threw in the Pioneer and didn't have a single problem.

My HU doesn't have Bluetooth, but I seldom am on the phone or listen to music from my phone, so it's not a big deal to me really. The USB drive basically allows me to use the HU to control my audio, which is what I usually prefer in a car.

 

[Beev]

Well, I ended up getting some parts I needed locally, and then I started the task of replacing the radio myself. Holy hell is it a huge undertaking. Right now my truck is sitting at home with the dash completely off.

I got the wrong wire harness, so I need to take it back today =/

Edit: Hmm, I left the negative connector on my battery unplugged overnight and now it will be all day. Is that a problem?

 

[Raduque]

Leaving the battery unplugged won't be a big problem, but your truck may run funny for a few miles of driving till the ECU re-learns how to control the engine correctly.

 

[I Saw OJ]

If you are just using your phone to play music, im assuming you have a smart phone? Might want to look at the Parrot Asteroid

http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-PF35000...9851357&sr=1-1

It doesn't play CDs but has a ton of inputs, along with streaming music over bluetooth.