Hello everyone!

I have read alot of posts and FAQs about aftermarket radio installations but I am still very confused and worried that I may purchase the wrong equipment.

I have a 2006 Cobalt 2D LT with the Pioneer System and no Onstar or XM. I don't care about steering wheel controls or door chimes working. As long as the DIC and all speakers/stock sub works I'm happy.

I know this question has been asked many times and I apologize I just want to be sure not to waste any money. From what I can gather I should either get the Metra 70-2103 or the Scosche GM13SR both greatly vary in price.

So my question is which wiring harness should I use?

 

if it were me id get the 2103 but the only 2 differences are the GM13SR is technically better in the sense it gives you rca inputs for the pioneer system and it gives you acc without having to tap the fuse box. but the 2103 is 100 times more reliable and theres nothing wrong with a fuse tap as long as you or whoever does it properly.

so weigh the options and choose which one works best for you.

 

Thanks for the reply Emperor!

So my next question is why would you need RCA inputs in the first place? I just can't tell from the pictures how I would install it with out cutting the RCA jacks off and wiring them to the aftermarket's harness. Or are the RCA jacks used for aftermarket radios with 4/6-channel pre-amps?

I'm using a crappy old radio just for its AUX input (Sony CDX-GT200)

 

because stock the hu is low level and rcas are low level so the "best" option is to plug the rcas into the preouts on the radio (you would need 4 that sony only has 2) but it would still work without that and with using just the speaker wires like on the metra

 

ohhhh ok i get it thanks for the explanation!

 

I didnt know they made a new piece with the rca inputs. I may have to upgrade

 

to be honest if you already have a working setup its not worth it imo. ya its nice and the proper way to do it but its not really a make or break type deal. the only difference is if you crank it you can mess up the stock amp (or speakers) and your volume knob wont go as low (basically if the stock radio had off and volume 1-40 then without the rcas you would have off and 15-55. and if you never go past the "40" then theres no difference, problem anything but if you go past that 40 and play it at 55 all the time then you will have issues down the road)

 

I've got the pioneer 4300dvd which I think the volume goes up to 40 & yea because I am using the hi level input style I rarely can get past 22 - 23 without getting a little distortion. I crank it pretty hard but I dont crank it to the point of distortion.