Hey guys I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I can't find any answers to my questions.

I want to put a 2005 OEM nav unit into my 2003 H2. Will it plug and play or will I need to get an updated XM module? Or would it be better to get a 2004 or later Nav unit?

 

I think you should be able to if the 03 had a Nav unit (its not plug and play), if not you need someone with a dealer level scanner to program the BCM for the radio. The radio will also need to be paired with the truck (radio has to learn the VIN of the truck) as it will most likely be locked if the radio has not already been unlocked. If the truck did not come with NAV you will also need to install the antenna. I had the dealer install an 05 NAV in my 03 Denali which did not come with a NAV unit, they had to program the BCM and install the antenna.

Neal

 

Yes you can, however the unit may require programming to unlock/match vin. You can update the xm here: refresh radio

 

Thank you I appreciate your reply. I'm replacing the climate control module next week and since I'll have everything apart I figured I'd swap in a nav if I could. I'll probably hold off for now since my radio works fine.

Brendan

 

yes you can but please tell me this did your truck had XM before ? do you have a premium or Luxury amp ?? whats the part number on the Nav unit you have ???
im asking this because if you did not have xm you will need to find a module with the antena (easy to find at a junk yard if you are in the states) or ebay and than rewire to the main harness that goes behind the glove box into the radio .
even after you get your radio unlock by the dealer you may not even get sound the reason why is because some radios need to have a LUX amp on the truck to communicate with each other some are compatible with both units . you need to know what options you have before you pick the nav unit .
in some cases you may have a premium sound package but the radio needs the lux package to be present even if you go and buy a lux amp (cheap on ebay or junk yard )you cant just plug in the radio because the harness was wired for a premium and not a lux amp << that happened to me and i rewired the harness myself not hard at all but not something for everyone to do . in some other cases you may also need to reprogram the amp with a TECH2 by the dealer (yes this sounds weird but remember you took the amp from another vehicle , if you only get sound from the front passenger side of the H2 this is how the truck tell you you need to program the amp . the premium amp is a bit of a dummy amp when you raise the volume *** this amp just knows you want more volume and does not distribute the sound according to the vehicle its in . the LUX amp is more of a smart amp if it was in a escalade before it was set for that space now needs to be rematch to the H2 ... so its doable but you need to do a bit of research . hope this helps

 

FYI, New cars have been equipped with satellite antennas since the early 2000s, when both satellite radio and GPS navigation first became widely available to motorists.

 

i forgot to mention the gps antenna can be found on amazon i got mine for 17$ my unit came with one old CD and a 2012 maps cd but you can also find the CDs at ebay . in my case i have a 2006 nav unit on my 2004 and as far as i know 2012 is the newest CD available lots of roads missing .

 

OP stated has xm radio.. here's a pic of the oem gps antenna on an '03 H2(however many may have removed/destroyed over the last 17yrs):

 

Check your RPO codes to determine which amp you have specifically. Don't rely on the "trim" level of the rig itself. Once you know if you have a lux amp or not you can buy the appropriate OEM nav unit. Then the radio can be paired to the rig at your dealership. I've done the same to mine.

 

I have a 2005 Nav unit with disc in ecxellent shape from an Escalade if you decide to go Nav. $100 plus shipping.