Hey all, Ok so here I go (like I said in my intro) asking questions

I am looking to install either a new afternarket radio or another stock radio
My radio works fine but the stickers an everything are completely worn off so I was thinking about replacing it with a radio I would get off Amazon or from Walmart. Just something decent but cheap. So I am wondering if they make a adapter thing to make the install plug and play. I have heard alot about people having these. So does anyone know of this and where i can get one?

Or I am wondering about replacing the current radio with another stock radio from another hummer (if its cheap enough). I am wondering if there is any issues with doing this. I heard from my dad that it might need to be programmed or have the vin put in. He has a BMW and he had to do this when his radio quit.

Thanks guys!!

 

Yes you can get a harness to plug into the factory wiring. I used the metra axxess gmos-04 I believe. I had tried the PAC one first but it caused a lot of problems with the factory speakers and amp. You'll also need the ascw1 to keep the steering wheel audio controls.

 

Decent and cheap in audio dont mix very well.
for my experience . Wait till you can get a nice system . Plan to replace the amp and the door speakers as well
the oem amp dont work too good with aftermarket Hu
no need to bribe your wallet but make sure.you get it right once

 

In the meantime just get a button decal kit on eBay. They are cheap and work decently well to make all the buttons look brand new again...

Just get the right set that matches your particular model radio. Depending on the model you can get the stickers or the actual physical buttons. The physical buttons will be a little nicer but do require removing and then opening up the radio to replace them. Removing the radio in an H2 is a bit of a chore since you have to take the left dast trim around the gauge cluster off, then remove the shifter handle, then the trim panel (cup holder section) around the shifter must be removed, then remove the console bucket, then remove 4 bolts under the console bucket, then three more around the shifter area (two are somewhat hidden pointing toward the front of the truck), then you can slide the entire floor console back a few inches, then the trim panel around the stereo can be removed (watch for and disconnect the power outlets along the bottom). Then you can finally remove the stereo.
Link below is to button stickers on eBay. The stickers will be the quickest and easiest fix.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ttons&_sacat=0

 

Thanks H2Miami, given it doesnt exactly answer my question (though it is EXTREMELY helpful... as i didnt think about the speakers, and I have heard the stock bose amp is garbage)
Like I am thinking of buying maybe a pioneer or some kind of cheaper headunit. I am not looking for 500-1000 dollar units. i dont have the cash as I just bought my truck with my whole savings. and since christmas is coming up, I thought I could ask my family for H2 parts :-P
So any idea one where to get an adapter that will work?
Thanks

MixManSC, again, you seem to know ALOT about these trucks. I hope to get to the knowledge you have some day. How well do the stickers work? since i read in your other response that stuff on these vehicles like to chip off

 

A good brand in the hundreds will be a good HU
Crutchfield will have some nice discounts for these days plus you get the right plug to attach to the Oem
Short story
I installed mine a few years ago . Once I replace the oem radio for a Kenwood there was a static noise on the speakers.
went to an electronic shop , they told me the problem was the amp didn't match the HU output . So I went ahead and replace it as well (cheap panasonic amp )
I was hoping with Hu and amp sound would. be decent
wrong again
the speakers didnt match the HU and Amp output .
so I got a set of Panasonic (around $60 x pair)
it was ok but still something was off .. The Panasonic speaker ended in the garbage can .
replaced with Hertz ... Also added a selfpowered compact kenwood sub
much nicer now . But im still not happy with the amp and the gps in the kenwood is very bad . So possibly will be redoing everything soon
Im not an audiophile but I like quality music .
At the end I spent more time and money than if I would donit right the first time

 

I purchased new Dorman made buttons from Amazon and replaced all of my worn buttons. It was about $30 for the kit and looks brand new. You have to remove the radio to do it but that was the hardest part.

I've also considered upgrading the head unit. If you look at Crutchfield, they have the harnesses ready to go and can tell you what works with the stock system.

Tim

 

I've not tried the stickers but I've seen reviews where people say they work great.

As far as the Bose amp being junk. Not by a long shot. They are quite good. Consider this - a whole team of engineers and professionals went through a lot of effort to specifically tweak and optimise the programming for the amp specifically for the H2 (if installed in another GM truck a Tech2 is used to reprogram it). Is it going to be a competition level system? Of course not, it just does not have the power for that. That being said, I did swap my stock stereo for a Kenwood DNX but I retained the stock speakers and Bose amp. I have been very pleasantly surprised but how good it sounds in regards to clarity and the overall distribution of the sound. To achieve that same level of soundstage quality bypassing or removing the stock amp you will have to spend quite a bit on a good multi-channel amp, a digital sound processor, all new speakers (the Bose speakers are specifically optimised for the Bose am and have odd impedances), the head unit of course, then spend many hours tweaking the digital processor. All to hopefully achieve the same level of clarity and soundstage that a team of engineers created.

Then again, if you want super loud then of course that will be the route to go. An aftermarket head unit, but retaining the stock am and speakers will give you more control over the tone with the EQ capabilities of the aftermarket head unit. That is a big help since you can better adjust the highs, mids, lows more specifically to your taste than the stock head unit will allow. If you want more bass than the stock sub provides an aftermarket head unit also gives better control and connections for adding just a sub and amp as well.

I think a big part of getting the sound just right is making sure you get the right adapter box for the Bose amp. H2Miami hit a lot of the things you can run into above.... For what its worth, the Bose adapter I used is a Metra GMOS and its worked great. No static or anything - fantastic sound from my Kenwood playing through the factory Bose amp and speakers. I also got a Metra ASWC-1 steering wheel control interface. My Kenwood has the Garmin GPS and it works great on mine as well. I did use the factory Onstar GPS antenna for it since the Onstar was useless anyways, I also used the Onstar mic in the headliner which also works great for me.

 

H2Miami - I mean no disrespect when I say this, but from what I know from stereos (which isnt a whole lot but it is a little more than the average) it sounds like the issues are with the install. Static is usually do to a poor ground or some kind of electric feedback like something similar to the positive side feeding into the negative side... or sometimes it is the speakers improperly wired (either in reverse phase, or in/out of phase). As for the names you picked.... well I can say I have never heard of Panasonic speakers or amps. I have heard of Panasonic electronics, but never in the car audio market (same with Hertz). So, yes the items I would be getting would be a bit more "quality" or "car audio name brand" than those.

Tharber - do you know what key words I can use to find those new buttons. I have looked and cant find them. I have found the stickers with the key words i am trying to search for those buttons. I really would appreciate any help. That would be great!!

MixManSC - Yeah I actually just spoke with JL audio and they didnt really have high regards for the stock system, but they definitely did agree with you and said it wasnt garbage. They said that even just adding a subwoofer to the stock system (they have a subwoofer made specifically for the H2... which I am sure MixManSC already knows this) it would sound pretty decent. I guess I read other things about other older Bose units and they mostly said they were garbage stock systems with a bose name on it. not an actual bose system.
I do have to add, i am not looking for HUGE killer sound. I just want it to sound better and if i decide to crank it up it is ok, but not looking for huge competition stuff, just a clean look with some decent features. Thats why I am looking to get another head unit and was hoping to find out how to easily integrate it to the current setup.

 

On that link I posted earlier - some of the listing are for the actual button lits. Looks like it is Dorman who makes them...

Looks like this is one of them here... https://www.ebay.com/itm/401143570397