CD Player for 2002 GMC- Need a radio head

Its been 15 years since I played with car audio…

I’d like to install an after market CD player in my truck. But I would also consider keeping the stock CD. I will be adding an amp, new fronts and sub box. I believe there is a harness on the market for the stock CD to hook up the amp. Am I better off going with an aftermarket CD or just keeping the stock CD?

Go to Best Buy. I think they can probably steer you in the right direction and may possible do free installation with the purchase.

100 times better going with an aftermarket cd deck, the biggest downside to the factory stereo, is the processer, it’s just not a good one, and when you amplify it, it just makes mediocre sound louder, not better. Personally I like alpine decks, though I think they are on the uglier side, but they sound great.

Hooking up amps and such is much eaiser with an aftermarket deck too, don’t kill the system with the stock deck, IMHO.

You can also get decks that puch enough power that the music sounds good when turned up may save you from buying an amp for the speakers, personally I don’t run an amp for my speakers just the deck.

I think thats what I’m thinking too. I found an old school Alpine NIB for $85.

Thanks Nick.

Yup, gotta go aftermarket. But what I think is even more important in the aftermarket area than a stereo is putting in aftermarket speakers. Factorys are ok, but they still don’t compare to what you can put in yourself. I just put in a Kenwood Excelon last week, and that thing does everything but pop popcorn! I’m very impressed with it….it has features I’ll never use. But to answer your question, oh yes…..go aftermarket. Run your power wire for your sub and all that, and you’ll be happy you did.

If you are thinking about adding an amp and a sub later, look for a deck that has RCA pre-amp outputs for the amps and sub.

Last year I put in an Alpine (CDA-9847) deck in my Tahoe. I ordered it online from Crutchfield. No tax, and free shipping if it is over $129. I also got a free car kit, wiring harness, and instructions.

HB

What is the model # of the alpine,just some are better than others

Derek, I have 2 sony amps and a crossover and some tweeters, I think I still have a viper alarm around also. I used to work at Mach 1 for a few years, I have a 2000 silverado that is custom or “Pimped” out a little.

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What is the model # of the alpine,just some are better than others

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Mine? CDA-9847, I got it based on the reviews on the Crutchfield site. I’m sure there are better units out there.

The only thing I wish I had was a front plug for an i-pod (or Sat. radio), and/or a USB port.

The model I believe was a 7915. The old 6 button. I love the old style.. I lost the auction. But since I have XM, it makes more sense to get a XM ready.

I’m replacing the fronts with MB Quarts. I want good acoustics.

BC, are those 4 channel amps? Are they bridgeable?

I put an aftermarket system in my 02 ext cab GMC this last summer. I went with an Alpine 9825 that I bought off ebay for around $100. It came with the RCA input adapter which works nice for my portable MP3 player. It also has 3 sets of 4V preouts with sub control. The deck itself does not play mp3s though.
Then I installed mbquart components in the front doors. I made some plates to mount the tweeters in and bolted them in. The factory tweeter plates have cheep tabs on them that break real easy. I also put some dyno mat on the door behind the speakers and around the speaker hole where the mids mount. Then a bit of foam weather stripping on the back side of the door panels around the mids. The idea is to make the inside/backside airspace of the mids seperate from the cab.
I have a single elemental design 10″ subwoofer mounted in a homemade sealed box downfiring under the drivers side backseat. This is a dual 2 ohm sub that I have wired in series for a 4 ohm load.
All speakers are powered by a US Acoustics 4 channel amp. I have the front stage powered off of channels 1 and 2. Then channels 3 and 4 bridged to power the sub. I bought the 4 guage amp wiring kit from knuconcepts.com.
I am very happy with this setup and have less than 700 total invested.
If you need any more help or advice on sources for parts let me know.

One is a 4 ch and one a 2 ch both can bridge. The X-over is a 3 way. I had it set up for a whole system. I now have a Alpine CD unit 3 way kicker 6″ 4″ and ND-25 tweets in the doors with a MB Quart 3 way X-over. 2 8″ rockford’s in a custom center console. And a Kicker 4 ch amp. I have one of the Sony’s in now because my kicker is in for service. The Sony are old school and blow away the new kicker amp (made in china)