ok so I've read about 9 million threads and even the faq's. still haven't figured out what I need to exactly. I bought a pioneer deh-6000 today along with a kenwood shallow mount sub and a fosgate amp. anyway, I'm getting it installed on friday because I don't feel like dealing with the headache. I'd rather just pay. When I go to best buy to get it done, are they going to tell me I need an expensive ass harness? and if they do should I call bullshit or bite the bullet and deal with it. I know it won't touch my DIC but I'd like to retain my steering wheel controls if possible. but if i can save $200 and just have to reach an extra foot I will

two other things:
a) when they do it I'm going to have them wire my zune in and drill out a hole so I can detach it if necesarry (maybe just mount with 3m velcro)...good or bad idea? and any suggested locations? or...should I use an external hard drive? I'm thinking that would be cool. I even have an extra one. plus that would use a standard usb instead of device specific (ipod, zune, etc) so I could just pop my laptop in the car and update it.

b) I didn't bother with buying speakers since I'm pretty happy with the pioneer stockers. I'm thinking instead of running them from the H/U, have them run from the factory amp since I won't be using it anymore. once again, good or bad idea? I don't know what the factory amp specs look like but I hope it could handle those speakers.

 

Since you have a 2005, no you wont need an expensive harness. Thats for 07s and 08s. They came with the GMLAN or something like that. It tells when to turn the head unit on, and when to make the chimes.

Steering wheel controls should be fine if they have a harness for your radio I think.

 

I ran my ipod cable into the glove box...wiring is completely hidden and you never even know its there.

 

no matter what harness u get steering wheel controls will be lost. There is a module made by PAC-audio that will retain them for ~130 if u want to buy it. i normally say don't because installation is going to be extra and its not worth the price.

yes best buy will tell u u need the expensive harness. A they make money that way and B they dont know any better. if u want to ask for the cheap harness i have listed u can if not thats ur issue with ur wallet

 

yeah I figured most of this stuff. I just wanted to go in there informed you know. and **** the steering wheel controls...I have the money but that's a waste if you ask me...thanks guys

 

If you have a Pioneer 6000 I have that Pac product and can get it for you for 90 bucks if you want it. You can install it and program it cuz its three witres and it plugs into the radio. Let me know if you want one I have them in stock. Chris

 

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=6409

PAC $60. i dont have this particular product but i have ordered from the website and they are amazing!

 

I hated my steering wheel controls when I had my stock HU, I hit the freaking mute button every time I turned a corner. Waste of money, besides it takes way more time to find the little volume up and down buttons then it does to grab the big knob in the middle of the HU, IMO.

BTW-Yeah, I know, I know, I said knob,

 

Yes, they most likely will.

I recently looked into all this jazz too, and everywhere I went, from my local Future Shop, to online shops such a Crutchfield, they told me that I'll need the $150.00 harness or whatever it was. That's because the 05 Cobalts were classified wrong when they came out, so shops got the wrong info. (Thanks, Emperor!)

You just need the cheap harness, and you'll be good to go. They'll tell you different though, and that they won't be able to install it using XX harness, but just tell them to anyway!