factory headunti in '00 impala

[burnzie2413 10+ year member]

hey everyone, i am installing my alpine stuff in my impala tonight and was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me, i searched and read a thread that said not upgrading the headunit sucks because then your fronts cant kee up with the subs. now here's my situation. i am using my line level converter and hooking up amps for my speakers and my sub. so would i be in that bad of a boat if everything is run throught the amps??? i know everyone is going to say just upgrade it but i dont have the money at the moment to put my jvc dvd player in the dash yet and get the gmco.... so that is my dilema....anyone got an opinion on that???

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[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Should be fine for the time being....are you swapping the speakers out as well?

If you don't want to spend the $$ on the GMRC01, and you don't care about losing your door chime, you can purchase the Metra 80-2003 (~$15). All you have to do is grab an accessory either at the fusepanel, BCM, or ignition harness.

 

[burnzie2413 10+ year member]

i have all brand new alpine speakers and an alpine v12 amp going in, explain that other option please if you could (the metra one)

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Well the Metra 80-2003 will plug directly into your factory harness. The only downside is that GM has the Class II data system, and there is no accessory turn-on wire on the factory harness. What you have to do is find an accessory wire somewhere in the car- the fusepanel, the ignition harness behind the ignition cylander, or the Body Control Module. Once you find an accessory, you run that back up to the harness and connect it up (the red wire on the radio harness is your accessory wire). This will let the aftermarket radio function properly.

You will lose the doorchime, however- that little chime sound when a door is open, won't be there without the GMRC01. Most people couldn't care less about that, however.

 

[burnzie2413 10+ year member]

doesnt the factory headunit do more than just door chimes. i head all the oil lights and everything are controlled throught the headunit. i also was told that it has something to do with the airbags....any insight on that

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

It has nothing to do with the airbags. It generates all warning chimes; low oil pressure, lights left on, etc. In some vehicles it acts as in interface for vehicle systems; you might use it to reset the oil change timer, for example. Check your owner's manual. Given a decent LOC and a competent installation, your factory radio should sound fine with the aftermarket equipment.

Some Impalas, even without the Bose option, are equipped with a factory amplifier under the rear deck in the trunk. If you have one, it might simplify your amp wiring to the speakers. Also, you won't find a usable remote turn-on wire from the head unit; you'll need to tap an accessory circuit, as detailed by snova031, for the amp remote turn-on wire. This means that if you use aftermarket amps for all your internal speakers, you'll lose the retained accessory power option that keeps your radio on until you open the door. The radio will stay on but the sound will drop out when you turn the key off.

 

[burnzie2413 10+ year member]

ok cool, thanks for the help guys