Radio Swap

Guitar831 · Post by **Guitar831** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:06 pm

A friend of mine is saving $$$$ to buy a 99 or 2000 S10 Xtreme and he wants to buy my stock RDS radio/cd player in my 03cc. I asked him why doesn't he want an aftermarket radio, he says he wants to keep a factory look in the dash. I told him he would need a pre-RDS radio for a 99 or 2000 year model, but he's in love with my radio instead. He's also willing to buy a new aftermarket cd player for my 03cc. If I can get him to buy me one of those new radio/cd players that includes a built-in USB port, I'll make the swap.

Now here's the question. Will a RDS radio from 02-04 fit in an earlier 98-01? Will the facotry wire harness connect?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:15 pm

I think you will find it VIN locked and the BCM incompatible.
Just a guess though.

Guitar831 · Post by **Guitar831** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:21 pm

Would replacing the original 99 or 2000 BCM with an 02-04 BCM work? I really like those USB supported radio/cd players.

doughboy5499 · Post by **doughboy5499** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:08 pm

As little work as it is. Take your radio out hook it up in his truck to see if it works. If it does, then make the deal.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:03 pm

You know it will not fit the dash, right?
'01 and older are din and a half, '02-up are double din.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:51 pm

HenryJ wrote:...........'02-up are double din.

IIRC, this came up rather recently and there was some sort of change during '02. Bottom line is that nothing is really concrete with these rigs. Some were double din and some were not in '02. I do bet that if, I am wrong that I will hear about it shortly

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:01 pm

It's true, they switched midyear as I have the older style thats a little smaller. I found out trying to find an adapter to make my aftermarket deck fit, had to go with an '01 adapter even though I have an '02. So I have the stupid tape deck on the floor. Oh well!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:57 pm

green02crew wrote: Oh well!

I just knew you would agree

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:44 am

Haha well I'm glad you're happy about it, but I don't know if we were meant to be!

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:59 am

f9k9 wrote:
HenryJ wrote:...'02-up are double din.
...there was some sort of change during '02. Some were double din and some were not in '02.

Ok, would you agree that in this case a radio from an '03 will not fit in a '99 dash.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:34 am

Actually, I don't know. My '97 had a HU pretty similar in size but, I can't prove it.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:38 am

Ok, Steve.

Guess this guy and thread get no help. All shades of gray

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:53 am

HenryJ wrote:
Ok, Steve.

Guess this guy and thread get no help. All shades of gray

I guess

Guitar831 · Post by **Guitar831** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:27 am

This earlier daylight saving time is whacked! I haven't slept past noon in forever. Oh well, screw the radio swap. Guess my friend is just gonna have to settle for an aftermarket.

Thanx anywho fellow crewcabbers

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:01 pm

If there's an 02 break I'm not sure where it starts. I bought a used unit from another member out of an 02 and put it in my 01. Direct fit, no problems, no VIN lock. Just an FYI.

24digger · Post by **24digger** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:23 pm

Maybe some guys can chime in when there's were built and narrow it down when the actually started changing them.

Mine was built at the end of april 02 mine is a double din.

Guitar831 · Post by **Guitar831** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:38 pm

The guy behind the counter at the service and parts department at my local GM dealership says that the RDS radios first started to be installed in 02 S-Series trucks and suvs in November of 2001. Another guy at a GM dealership in another city said December of 2001 was when the last of the pre RDS radio were installed in all GM vehicles and the RDS radios debuted in January 02. I'm not certain who's telling the truth. Anywho

Needless to say my friend was non too happy about the incompatability issue with the radio swap. But that didn't stop him. We took my 03 RDS to a boneyard and tried to fit it into a wrecked 98 ext. cab. While the 98 harness and antenna fit perfectly into my 03 RDS, the RDS itself had trouble mounting into the opening. After about thirty minutes of modifying the radio mounts, we finally got the RDS to fit as close to a factory install as possible and then replaced the dash with very little difficulty. The CD slot on the RDS was half covered by the 98 dash. Other than that, it looked like a factory install RDS in a 98 truck. Sorry that there are no pics to show it, but the radio swap is possible.

So if you have a 98-01 radio and want to upgrade to the 02-04 RDS radio, here's what you do:

1. Get an 02-04 RDS radio. (Also possibly an 02-04 BCM as well)
2 Remove your old 98-01 dash and radio. (old 98-01 BCM)
3. Modify the mounts of your old 98-01 radio.
4. Install your new 02-04 RDS radio. (new 02-04 BCM)
5. Install your new 02-04 dash.
6. Enjoy

purduecrew · Post by **purduecrew** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:32 pm

I think I can solve this dilemma, MAYBE. I say that because I have yet to see a variation from this:

If your radio looks like this, then you have a 2 DIN, regardless of year:

If your radio looks like this, then you have a 1.5 DIN:

EDIT: are we even talking about this issue exactly?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:04 pm

What if mine looks like neither?

Mine is the 1.5 din with CD. The Cassette was in the console.

Guitar831 · Post by **Guitar831** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:50 am

HenryJ wrote:What if mine looks like neither? Mine is the 1.5 din with CD. The Cassette was in the console.

The pre-RDS radios from 95-01 came in two different variations. 1. Radio/cassette player with CD player in console below a/c controls like in purduecrew's pic. This variation was found in full size trucks and suvs from 95 -01. My uncle's 98 Silverado and my aunt's 99 Surburban both have the same audio setup Radio/cassette player with CD player in console below a/c controls. 2. Radio/CD player with cassette player in the floor console. This variaion was found in mid size trucks and suvs like the S-Series. purduecrew is correct. RDS radios from CD or cassette players only or both CD/cassette player combos and even 6-disc CD players are all double din (2) and the pre-RDS radios are din and a half (1.5). With a little modification to the pre-RDS radio mounts, 98-01 trucks and suvs can swap for an RDS radio from 02-04. You might need to change the BCM and you will certainly need to get an 02-04 dash otherwise the old 98-01 dash half covers the CD slot on RDS radios. At least the wiring harness and antenna connections are all the same from way back far as 1988 all the way to 2004. (sigh in relieve)