Plan on a solid day, maybe a tad more if you take your time, I made my PAC cable make up on the work bench the evening prior- that took an hour easily as I soldered and heat shrunk all connections. don't be intimidated with the amount of wires, start and they were all fall in place as you start your make up... I did the speakers first and then on to the others.
The cameras take time- I was going to not add them, however for the few extra hours and under $100 for cameras... just do them while you are in there.
Mine still going strong, no issues. If you already have XM, you can easily reuse the existing GM XM antenna...

Correct, no cutting of the factory harness anywhere... all plug and play.

On the door chime, put tape over the hole- really makes a difference on tonal quality, I am happy with my chimes after that... experiment on the volume of it as well as how much tape fully / partially over the hole...

Chris

 

Have you added blind spot sensors, would these work?
https://www.ottonavi.com/products/ottonavi-blindspot

 

I finally ordered the Alpine ILX-W650 (been debating over the Sony AX8000 which is a 9" Floating screen...love the look). It was $100 off at Crutchfield and out of stock but still let me place the order. I really hope I get it. I also ordered the PAC RP5-GM11 over the Metra Axxess which is $50 more...but I heard people like it better, Did I make the right choice?

I also didn't order the siriumXM receiver which was $20 off with the purchase of a radio. I just recently signed up to a SiriusXM trial which is not bad, but wondering if I will ever use it now that I will have Apple CarPlay, Apple Music, Tunein, etc. Thoughts on that?

As for the rest, I did order all the parts recommended by the initial poster (a big thank you for that), but have not decided on front/rear cameras. Don't feel like spending $200 each for Alpine, so would love to hear which you guys ordered on amazon and if happy. Also where did you guys mount them? I dont want to put then in my hitch receiver as I tow a trailer from time to time.

Once thing i was not sure of....with the new Alpine unit, will I need to always take the phone out of my pocket and plug it to the radio/usb outlet or it is over bluetooth?

Thanks

 

If you use waze- you will plug it in. Phone will be bluetooth and not need be plugged in for just that, I only plug in to charge or use waze...
Sirius I always use- you can always cancel if you dont- try it, you may like the variety on it...
Cameras- any will work, no need to spend 100's= I think mine were $30 each approx I will post some pics of where I mounted....
Cameras I did because everyone said if you don't you will regret..I am glad I did. If you only want to install one- do the rear, I rarely ever use the front but its nice if I need to view close up for any reason..
Adapters, I listed what I used and it worked perfectly, the chime works well if you tape over half of it... it changes the tone to sound better and softer.

You will not regret it- I am a purist & like to stay unmolested with my H2's- this is something that truly compliments it and does look like its stock.


Camera above center of plate

Camera below center of plate at bottom of plate holder

 

I also just finished installing the ILX-w650 in my H3. Great upgrade. I only have a few complaints about it. You can’t change the background and I have static you can hear at low volume and also through phone calls. My H3 has the monsoon system and I lost some sub response as well.

 

Static is an issue I dont believe is from the unit. Mine is crystal clear and so is phone. Could be a grounding issue -
Background I agree would be nice to change- doesnt really bother me as you can use waze or maps in your phone for navigation background, maybe one day it will be updated in a software revision.

 

I have a good solid ground from the receiver itself to the dash tube that is right behind it. I think it is the box that is inline from the receiver to the factory plug wires. Have you tried to do a firmware update on yours? I tried on mine and can't seem to get it to recognize the update. Oh well, it works awesome though.