gm125800

So if upgrade my head unit to a Kenwood dnx-5140, what will have to be sacrificed? I currently have the six disc changer and I'd like to keep the sync and steering wheel controls.

2011Eco

Nothing in terms of your sync and steering wheel controls. That's what all the different wiring harnesses are for and such...no I don't know about that 6 disc player...

Justi

The 6 Disc changer will be gone because it's built into the factory radio. Sync and steering wheel audio can be kept with the purchase of an aftermarket converter box but I believe they run $200+ from Crutchfield.

gm125800

Excellent. Thanks for your help.

bamastang

So has anybody installed a unit that is capable of doing everything that the stock unit does and hooked up the backup camera, the steering wheel controls, the voice commands? If so how well does your unit work and how hard was the install?

RES4CUE

I ditched the stock and went with a Kenwood DDX616, it was pretty straight forward. I decided to get rid of the sync as the new HU did everything sync did but better. Now mine does not have voice control but some of the higher end HU do. Mine will only names for the phone calls.

The hardest part about the install was the tedious time soldering and heat shrinking the connections. I have full control of my SW controls that control the HU.

I did mine all for roughly $600 (HU, harnesses, and trim kit) and had it in in about an hour. Well worth it to me.

As for Nav, I use my driod and patch it through the HU so the directions come through the speakers.

I have an aftermarket camera but have read several threads on wiring up the stock camera to and aftermarket HU.

Justi

I don't doubt your setup is nice but not sure I understand the " I decided to get rid of the sync as the new HU did everything sync did but better." If it doesn't do voice commands and that's exclusively what Sync does then how exactly does it do it better?

60075

I installed kenwood dnx5120 which a bought used online at a good price and a scosche dash kit.

RES4CUE

My sync system barely recognized any of my voice commands and people had a hard time hearing me. I would have to have windows up and everyone in the truck would have to shut up because sync would get confused.

Better = plays dvd's, Ipod integration and interface, WAY better BT. I can hold a converation with windows down and people hear me as if I am on the phone. The HU has several adjustments such as noise cancelling and echo adjustments. Also the HU has way better DSP and sound than the stocker.

Also, I figured if I was dropping the money on the HU with all of the Ipod and BT features, it would be a waste to spend all the money trying to intrgrate sync with aftermarket HU.

I love sync in my wife's Flex, so when I got my truck I was excited but it really let me down. I have done all the firmware updates and all the "fixes" but nothing helped.

So you are right, I did lose the overall voice control but mine barely worked and I found myself fighting with the truck! lol

I should say it does everything 99% better than sync!