09 headunit in a 07 car, how?
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Senior Member
Joined: 02-16-07
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
From: NJ
09 headunit in a 07 car, how?
So I ordered an 09 head unit for my 07 car. I have a few stupid questions that I probably should have asked before I ordered it.
1: How do I remove the old head unit? Is there a DYI around here?
2: Will my steering wheel controls still work?
3: Can you play MP3's off a USB thumb drive? If so, whats the size cap? 2gb,8gb16gb etc.
4: Will I have to go down to chevy to have them "unlock" the radio, if so how much will that cost and what do i need to bring for them to do it?
and LAST dumb question: It's a black head unit on a silver dash, how dumb is this gonna look? lol.
Thanks for all the help guys!
1: How do I remove the old head unit? Is there a DYI around here?
2: Will my steering wheel controls still work?
3: Can you play MP3's off a USB thumb drive? If so, whats the size cap? 2gb,8gb16gb etc.
4: Will I have to go down to chevy to have them "unlock" the radio, if so how much will that cost and what do i need to bring for them to do it?
and LAST dumb question: It's a black head unit on a silver dash, how dumb is this gonna look? lol.
Thanks for all the help guys!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-16-07
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I thought it read that all 07s and newer used the same headunits and you only had issues with the older models. If that's bthe case ill just cancel the order, it won't ship till Monday anyways.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-20-07
Posts: 2,961
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From: Pittsburgh, Pistolvania
An 09 HU should work in an 07... same databus. Its the 05-06 that cannot run the newer HU's without a ton of rewiring and a GM tech that knows his way around a Tech II. You'll just need it flashed to work with your car's VIN or else it will just display "LOCKED".
See red.
1: How do I remove the old head unit? Is there a DYI around here?
Pretty easy. Just pull off the lower kick panel that sits below the column, pull off the trim immediately to the right of the column, pull off the trim above the glove compartment, and then finally pull off the trim around the stereo/HVAC controls. Once you get that trim off, there should be two 7mm bolts holding the HU in. Disconnect the 2 (or 3 if you have XM) plugs from the back. The reinstall is the inverse of removal. I suggest using new clips on the trim panels or if you're cheap, some gasket tack to prevent squeaking from the clips being looser than before.
2: Will my steering wheel controls still work?
They should. The control buttons on 07+ are the same.
3: Can you play MP3's off a USB thumb drive? If so, whats the size cap? 2gb,8gb16gb etc.
From what I've heard, they do not read thumb drives. The USB port was mainly intended for docking an iPod to the radio to allow it to charge and be controlled.
4: Will I have to go down to chevy to have them "unlock" the radio, if so how much will that cost and what do i need to bring for them to do it?
Yes. They will charge about an hour of Labor or the minimum labor charge. They use a Tech II tool to do this, so there isn't a DIY method.
and LAST dumb question: It's a black head unit on a silver dash, how dumb is this gonna look? lol.
It really depends on your tastes. It may look different, but you can easily obtain the black facing for the HVAC controls to make it match.
Pretty easy. Just pull off the lower kick panel that sits below the column, pull off the trim immediately to the right of the column, pull off the trim above the glove compartment, and then finally pull off the trim around the stereo/HVAC controls. Once you get that trim off, there should be two 7mm bolts holding the HU in. Disconnect the 2 (or 3 if you have XM) plugs from the back. The reinstall is the inverse of removal. I suggest using new clips on the trim panels or if you're cheap, some gasket tack to prevent squeaking from the clips being looser than before.
2: Will my steering wheel controls still work?
They should. The control buttons on 07+ are the same.
3: Can you play MP3's off a USB thumb drive? If so, whats the size cap? 2gb,8gb16gb etc.
From what I've heard, they do not read thumb drives. The USB port was mainly intended for docking an iPod to the radio to allow it to charge and be controlled.
4: Will I have to go down to chevy to have them "unlock" the radio, if so how much will that cost and what do i need to bring for them to do it?
Yes. They will charge about an hour of Labor or the minimum labor charge. They use a Tech II tool to do this, so there isn't a DIY method.
and LAST dumb question: It's a black head unit on a silver dash, how dumb is this gonna look? lol.
It really depends on your tastes. It may look different, but you can easily obtain the black facing for the HVAC controls to make it match.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-16-07
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Ok, so I installed it and it works great, it doesn't look terrible but I do plan on getting some black trim and HVAC stuff for it. Chevy charged me for an hours labor which was about $100. Just though I would let you guys know. Thanks again Nighthawk243.
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Joined: 05-14-09
Posts: 273
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From: Saskatchewan/ Vancouver
damn that looks nice... I want that exact radio.. Cant afford one thos so Im lookin into an 07 black one. If you wanna see what the black trim looks like I have pics in my gallery...
I have a black hvac so far just need the stereo
I have a black hvac so far just need the stereo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-16-07
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
From: NJ
The radio itself was cheap, $90 with shipping on ebay... it just got expensive when Chevy charged me to unlock it lol. And the trim looks good, Im gonna pick up a set soon, maybe paint it my interior also. Idk yet, next step rims!
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