REMIX

Thanks to everyone who helped me out, especially Pentavolvo. There are a few things I would not have caught if it hadn't been for him.

The worst part was figuring out how to mount the GXM30 antenna. I simply went down to Lowes and bought a piece of .25 gauge steel, cut it with my table saw and then fabricated a bracket. Deciding how to approach this took me the better part of four hours. LOL.

De_Vette

Nice work, turned out excellent. Is the weather screen broadcast from XM?

REMIX

Yes, it's part of XM NavWeather/NavTraffic. I get stocks, weather (including radar) and traffic reports. Ties in nicely with the GPS because you call tell it to "avoid traffic".

Just a note...I was really confused about this, so maybe this will help someone down the line. That Garmin/XM antenna is ALSO an XM receiver. The main difference is that the GXM30 allows for Nav Traffic and Nav Weather. Otherwise, I could have ordered a basic antenna and tuner for less than $100 if I had only wanted XM radio. The GXM30 runs $200.

Here are some more pics.

Playing a DVD:



The extra USB cable (for thumb drives, backgrounds and such) in the glovebox.



RMX

donsimpson12

Thanks for sharing the pics.. I've had this stereo on my get list for quite some time. Although the install in our C5 will most likely be bit more challenging I think.. ??

De_Vette

a little more since we have to modify the cage to accept double din size. I'm getting started on mine tomorrow.

C7-Beast

Very nice work!

sprinter1104

Wow, really a nice looking install. I can't wait to get started on mine.

DeVette, be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Spying Beast

Great job!

What did you end up spending on your set-up?

Awesome install/fabrication of that antenna!

pentavolvo

very nice glad i was able to help

nvr2muchboost

Where did you install the Peripheral module within the dash?

How did you secure it?

Thx

REMIX

Thanks...I was kind of stumped on how to mount that tuner/antenna on Friday night. I was fairly pissed and gave up for the night, slept on it and woke up Sat morning thinking I could just get a piece of tin, cut it with my table saw and bend it to fit. Typically, when I think of these things, I cannot pull them off because my imagination is better than my actual skills. Lucky for me I had a metal blade and a table saw....LOL.

In the end, I'm gonna say it cost probably $1,650 for all the parts and beer + my time.

RMX

REMIX

It's pretty tight back there (but not impossibly tight) and you just kind of shove it in with the wires. There is some space just right of the radio between the glovebox. Trust me, it ain't goin' nowhere!

RMX

REMIX

FYI, I did this myself because, after speaking with 3 installers, I was very uncomfortable with their lack of knowledge concerning either the DNX8120, the Corvette or both. I will tell you it is a very satisfying experience to do this yourself. I have never installed a radio before and, if I can do it, anyone can. Just make sure you have a soldering iron and know how to solder. That is key to getting solid connections. Take your time, get a few beers and enjoy the experience.

I had a few pucker moments when it came to pulling the center console out...it's not that hard but you tend to think you're going to break something the first time you try to remove it. You kind of have to give it a bit of a tug to get the clips out, but they do pop out. Make sure you pull straight out and try not to twist it too much. I started from the forward section (by the AC vents) and worked my way to the area behind the shifter. Popped right out.

The only real PITA besides mounting that GXM30 antenna is unplugging the various wires, especially the ones that feed the lighter/power socket in the center console. The clip is at the top and you cannot get your finger in there. I used a small allen wrench to pop it...most people say to use a pick tool. In a pinch, get a small allen tool.

I would recommend downloading the install manual for both the GMCO and the radio you choose first and mentally visualize what wires go to what. It's a matter of color matching for the most part. The only thing that wasn't noted was the fact that the power antenna wire coming from the GMCO should be tied to the P.CONT wire on the Kenwood. Apparently you use this to switch the Bose amps on. It said NOTHING about this in the manual, so thanks to Pentavolvo who pointed this fact out to me early on. I would have never figured this out on my own.

For those who asked, here was the shopping list. I got everything from Amazon. Ordered it Friday the 24th and everything was here by the 1st.

Order Grand Total: $1,520.52

Order Summary:
Your purchase has been divided into 5 orders.
Shipping Method: Standard Shipping
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $214.21
Shipping & Handling: $5.58
------
Total for this Order: $219.79


Delivery estimate: April 30, 2009
1 "Metra 40-GM10 GM Antenna Adapter"
Electronics; $12.62

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
1 "Garmin GXM30 XM Satellite Antenna for GPSMap 376C, 7200 and 7500 (010-00423-00)"
Electronics; $201.59

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
Shipping Method: Standard
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $25.44
Shipping & Handling: $9.45
------
Total for this Order: $34.89


Delivery estimate: April 30, 2009 - May 5, 2009
Shipping estimate for these items: April 27, 2009 - April 28, 2009
2 "Metra TurboKits 95-3304 Car Stereo Installation Kit"
$12.72

Sold by: Electronic Express
Shipping Method: Standard
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $79.00
Shipping & Handling: $6.40
------
Total for this Order: $85.40


Delivery estimate: April 30, 2009 - May 5, 2009
Shipping estimate for these items: April 27, 2009 - April 28, 2009
1 "Peripheral GMCO - Car data bus interface"
$79.00

Sold by: OEIntegration
Shipping Method: Standard
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $29.99
Shipping & Handling: $11.90
------
Total for this Order: $41.89


Delivery estimate: April 30, 2009 - May 5, 2009
Shipping estimate for these items: April 27, 2009 - April 28, 2009
1 "Kenwood KCA-iP300V iPod Video Direct Cable"
Electronics; $29.99

Sold by: M.S. ELECTRONICS, INC.

Shipping Method: Standard
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $1,127.39
Shipping & Handling: $11.16
------
Total for this Order: $1,138.55


Delivery estimate: April 30, 2009 - May 5, 2009
Shipping estimate for these items: April 27, 2009 - April 28, 2009
1 "Kenwood Excelon DNX8120 Navigation receiver"
Electronics; $1,127.39

Sold by: DependableResource

PAKirk

Did you paint the trim plate, or just sand it?

I sanded mine, but I still have a little ways to go, and then I'm going to spray it with satin finish. It looks pretty good as it is now, though. I'm using the DNX5120.

kev1n

did you remove the center speaker to place the antenna there? what about the speaker?

fantastic job!

REMIX

I sanded it down using 320, then 600, then 2000 grit. It has a whitish, milky look when it's done. I sprayed it first with SATIN clear and that was too glossy. I resanded and then put a coat of FLAT on it. That was a lot better match. Took the cloudiness right out.

RMX

REMIX

Thank you!

Yeah, the center speaker is gone now. My car does not have Onstar, so I guess it was kind of taking up space there anyway. Worked out nice!

RMX

pentavolvo

Center channel is a total waste remove it on a bone stock system and it will sound better once its gone

kev1n

Is the center channel only used for onstar? I should remove mine I guess too then. I was going to install factory NAV, maybe I can put the antennae there similarly.

nearwater

That's one clean installation you did there!
I like how you refinished the surface of the bezel around the head unit.
8120 would be definitely my first pick if I had the $$

Thanks for sharing the pics.

Dan