My wife has a 08 H3 (I have a 03 H2) - she has the base stereo (without amp). We want to install a factory nav in her H3 (I'm not interested in an aftermarket unit). I've done lots of reading and fiddling (when I installed oem nav in my H2) and know how to install a oem H3 nav including how to remove the theftlock and add an amp. Issue is the nav for H3 was unique to H3 and thus hard to find used at a good deal (all other GM trucks from 2003-2007 are identical looking except the H3 which has a unique outer frame where it bolts to the cluster).

After more reading, I found that C6 corvettes used the exact same side frames, and also confirmed it is bus 2, and confirmed the wiring on the back of H3 and C6 navs use the same 2 plugs and confirmed these 2 plugs are wired the same. In short, it seems like a C6 nav would perfectly be a plug/play including a perfect fit for the side frames to attach to the cluster, and fit within the opening. I am not concerned about theftlock as I'd wipe it out.

So my question. Has anyone done this? Also if I do, does anyone know if the splash screen will automatically update so that it shows Hummer H3 when first turned on vs Corvette? The splash screen is automatically updated when the bus2 talks to the stereo and "tells" it what vehicle it is in so I suspect inside the stereo is a chip with multiple splash screens preinstalled and the stereo changes the splash once it know what vehicle it is in - being the C6 stereo was not designed for the H3 I am not sure if the stereo will have the H3 splash inside. I doubt the splash will properly change, as I did temporarily install a nav from a 2005 denali (non lux amp version) and after wiping out the theftlock it worked but the splash only showed 'gmc trucks' or something like that (it never changed to Hummer h3). BTW - I removed this nav due to it not having the right outer frame to attach to the cluster otherwise I would have kept it - hence why I'm now looking at the C6 since they have the same outer frame for the stereos.

Anyways, would appreciate if anyone has ever done it. Unless I hear someone say that it CAN'T be done (and why) I will try it and post some pictures when done. Thanks

 

I have never seen that done, or even heard of it.

Why pay for sub optimal original equipment crap when you can go aftermarket with every bell and whistle and significantly better operational specs? Just my HO. Good luck.

 

OP, sounds like you have some experience with various on-board nav systems, both OEM and after-market. I too prefer factory nav units. You and your wife may want to try out the C6 unit operationally before committing to it. I can't tell you if the C6 nav will plug-and-play to your H3, however I own a 2013 C6 and the factory nav is not something I would recommend to a friend - personally I find the technology out-dated, the graphics to be primitive, and although there are some good features with this unit the interface does not flow well and is not intuitive. The factory systems on my other cars, including a just slightly newer '14 Cruze and a '15 C7 are significantly better in all respects. Also, the C6 unit's display integrates all the radio controls and a few other features.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...-system-368480

The only reason I haven't replaced it is I prefer to keep the cars original. I've always wondered why most of the OEMs haven't just licensed a proven system with a simpler interface, something like Garmin has, that has traffic data, voice inputs, good graphics, fuel prices, easier to update etc.