QuestionI have a 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada with the Bose sound system. The deck is a single CD/tape deck. I would like to swap the deck for a more advanced Bose deck with optional XM and perhaps GPS. I see many of these decks on ebay. Can I simply buy a bose deck from 2003 or a newer bose deck and swap them out, and retain all of the rear and stearing wheel controls.
I have been told a after market deck is not a viable option as it will require nearly a full overhaul of the sound system, and result in diminshed power, loss of stearing wheel/rear controls, or both.
Is any of this correct?
Thanks.
AnswerThere are several aftermarket radios that will work in your Bravada.
Go to www.crutchfield.com and they will make recommendations.
Also, try www.partydown.com and http://www.oemautosound.com/default.aspx? which have various combinations of products that will replace or add on to the unit you now have.
Don't know what the fascination is with Bose; they are not a good product in my personal opinion; sound quality is marginally acceptable and they are designed strangely and are hard to service and install, etc..... that is my opinion. Their reliability has been pretty good over the years as they are built well.
Be very careful just swapping another unit; if it comes from exactly the same vehicle model you would be okey, but if it is coming from another vehicle you must check the wiring harness carefully and install it with great care.
If you were to purchase the replacement unit from crutchfield at:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-6vrt1byoO69/cgi-bin/autoinfo/autoinfo.asp?id=&vehic...
it would come with wiring harnesses, installation instructions and help line. You can talk to their sales staff and they will tell you what functions it will support, etc.
So, hope these ideas will help you in making the right direction for the vehicle.
Cleggsan
