h3 radio install nightmare

[Xscorex]

My stock navigation screen went black about 6 months after buying my h3. I read the forums and tried replacing the battery terminals and then putting conductive grease on the radio connectors. Of course neither worked and the grease actually made my radio stop working altogether. Anyway. I havent had a radio for close to 2 years and after calls yo gmc who said $800 for a navigation refurbish I gave up and bought a cheap chinese double din Touch screen. I really just want to play a cd or hook up my ipod. Anyway. I get the head unit and call the local stereo shop asking if they have a harness . They quoted me $275 for the mounting kit and harness and said something about bose and on star. Wtf! I cant catch a break! Is this legit? Why is it so hard to just stick a stereo in this thing? Im mot even trying to hook up nav. Do I need all of this? There has got yo be a better way

 

[owlxxx]

way too much for a harness. If i remember correctly, i Used Crutchfield for the harness, onstar thingy, gps double din touchscreen pioneer unit. $400 for the whole package, and Most of the price was the head unit.

 

[Xscorex]

I saw a package on ebay that was $59 and one that was $100 not sure which one I need. anyone else done this?

 

[SedonaBound]

If you have OnStar and Monsoon audio (be thankful Bose was only in H2s), you need a Metra GMOS-04 harness to keep RAP, OnStar, and the warning chimes; about $85 on line, and you'll need a Dbl DIN dash bezel; about $30 online. I'd avoid cheapo no-name head units because they tend to have a glitches and you don't save that much. IMO, in-dash nav is the biggest rip-off left in the auto business; you pay $500 extra for less function than a $100 portable. Or you can watch the H4x4 Swap Meet/ebay/CL for used H3 head unit that justs plug it into the old harness.

 

[Xscorex]

Whats RAP? I really dont care about on star as Ive never used it. And i just notice my door hasnt chimed since my radio broke. I probably should do ot right though

 

[CreekH3]

I second Crutchfields site. Bought my radio there. Just put your vehicle info in, pick a radio and you can see the installation gear needed to install it.

 

[SedonaBound]

Whats RAP? I really dont care about on star as Ive never used it. And i just notice my door hasnt chimed since my radio broke. I probably should do ot right though

RAP is Retained Accessory Power; keeps the acc power on until the door opens.

 

[nelly27281]

you need a Metra GMOS-04 harness to keep RAP, OnStar, and the warning chimes

Agree with SedonaBound, you need GMOS-04, Double Din installation kit and antenna adapter.

 

[deserth3]

Go to crutchfield.com. I just picked up a Clarion CX505 and all instalation hardware for $250. They even have advisors to talk to if you need it.