2002 Chevy Trailblazer Install Ver 1.0

[NorthCOVideo]

New car new install, decided to install my 760XLT and antennas from old car to the new one today. 760XLT on the dash attached to multi band on the roof, 396T in the cup holder (for now) attached to RS 800Mhz on the hood. Trailblazer has Onstar, but don't plan to use it so I'm going to use its antenna, don't know what for yet but its going to get used, seems to work well for 800-900Mhz. All wires and cables are tucked away out of sight.

This is the install for now, I plan to switch out the OEM radio for an aftermarket radio on bottom and a PSR-600 on top. I've also been thinking about putting in a laptop mount on the passenger side. More pictures to come as well as updates on future progress.

Thanks for looking.

 

[N467RX]

Nice install.


Is that heavy duty velcro? what did you remove from the dash in order to run the wiring?


I have an 04 LT and it lacks space for radio installs, right now my center console is occupied by my SLR camera and I've been looking for options to install thing. (The other one is the console mounted on the headliner (since I have no sunroof but the console has a plate filling the space where the sunroof controls are).

The other thing I've been thinking about is building a box for the rear seats and have it there (I rarely take more than 4 ppl anyways).

 

[CommJunkie]

Very nice install.

That car has the same factory radio as my 2003 Impala. Be careful removing the radio. Most of the computerized functions of the vehicle (auto headlights, FOB programming, Oil Life indicator) are controlled through the radio. Removing it will knock your computer out of whack and could potentially damage it. There are ways to keep the control functions of the computer intact, and install an aftermarket radio, but they all involve keeping the radio inline somewhere else in the vehicle using fiberoptic wiring.

 

[NorthCOVideo]

Yep it is heavy duty Velcro holding the radio down. As for hiding wires, I popped up the front dash cover where the speakers are, although there are no speakers in mine as it is an LS.

Switching the radio out I'm still researching, I know the door chimes are controlled by the radio, but I'm unsure as to what else gets controlled, sure maybe the same radio in the Impala, but could possibly control different things, don't know yet. I'll let you guys know what I find out, as it seems there isn't a lot of trailblazer stuff on here.

 

[creeperjeep]

Whats the deal with the onstar antenna?
Is there a termination on the end of the wire that goes to the onstar box? or is a solder job on the back side of the antenna?

 

[crazyboy]

If I was you I would def rethink the location of the radio on the dash. It is subject to a lot of heat build up from the sun there and it is also just waiting to become a flying projectile.

 

[Devilz311]

Very nice install.

That car has the same factory radio as my 2003 Impala. Be careful removing the radio. Most of the computerized functions of the vehicle (auto headlights, FOB programming, Oil Life indicator) are controlled through the radio. Removing it will knock your computer out of whack and could potentially damage it. There are ways to keep the control functions of the computer intact, and install an aftermarket radio, but they all involve keeping the radio inline somewhere else in the vehicle using fiberoptic wiring.

For the Trailblazer, the only thing the headunit does is emit the door chimes, but an adaptor can be used retain them. All of the other functions are from the BCM (body control module) under the rear seat.

I'll let you guys know what I find out, as it seems there isn't a lot of trailblazer stuff on here.

Check your PM's

 

[NorthCOVideo]

Whats the deal with the onstar antenna?
Is there a termination on the end of the wire that goes to the onstar box? or is a solder job on the back side of the antenna?

I guess I'm not sure what you are getting at, could you give me a bit more clarification on what you are talking about?

"crazyboy" As for radio location, it is held down very securely with industrial strength Velcro, yes the sun could cause some problem, but hey its only a temp location until I find other places for radios.

Devilz311, got your pm thanks for the info, I'm sure I will be spending much time on that website in the weeks to come.

Thanks for all the comments so far.

 

[N467RX]

I don't know on the TB, but on my friends 01ish Aurora, a big chunk of the computer memory was on the radio until he pulled it out and swapped it out.


If you eventually get a remote head for any radio, you can mount it in front of the AC vents (above the stereo), that's where I have my Sirius Starmate, attached with double sided mounting tape.

 

[creeperjeep]

What I meant was,
Say you were to install a 900mhz radio or another scanner mostly for 8-900mhz.
Is there a connector (sma?) At the onstar box that you could tie into?
Or would you need to attach coax at the antenna?

 

[NorthCOVideo]

Oh okay understand now, there is a push on connector at the box, its similar to an F type and will work with the F to BNC adapters that I have. It also has the same type connector at the antenna, I'm not sure if I would keep it in its current location or pull it out and rerun a new one somewhere else. The Onstar box also has a smaller GPS like antenna on the front window above the mirror.

A remote head for a scanner is another option that I have been thinking about and may still do it in addition. I have both Uniden and RS radios and like both, so I would like to try a PSR-600 for a base, something a bit different from what I have already.

 

[b7spectra]

Unless you upgraded your On-Star, according to their website:

Analog-Only: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog-only equipment were designed to operate only on the analog cellular network and there is no digital upgrade available. Vehicles with this equipment will no longer be able to receive OnStar services beginning January 1, 2008. At this time, service is available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment. (Refer to Question #4 for additional details.)

 

[NorthCOVideo]

Thats cool, but I'm not going to be using it, the controller box is going to come out and the cell antenna is going to get used for a scanner. Onstar costs to much money for something I won't use anyway or forget about. Thanks for the info though, just tells me I can really pitch it.

 

[mikext]

RS 800 mhz antenna mount

Where did you get the magnetic mount for the RS 800mhz antenna?

 

[NorthCOVideo]

I got it on ebay. Heres a link.

RARE EARTH MAG MOUNT for BNC ANTENNA - eBay (item 390021788978 end time May-04-09 14:04:23 PDT)

 

[commscanaus]

Nice neat job you have done there!

I just cannot believe what a stupid design for the vehicle's electronics. Having the car stereo responsible for the engine management system (or part thereof) is just ridiculous.
The most stolen, upgraded or modified piece of equipment in a modern car becomes the brains?? What?

The all in one molded dashes in modern cars are infuriating enough- but to be stuck with the factory stereo because it contains the cars fuel mapping etc... is nuts.

Sorry to rant- but if someone managed to get into the car and damage the stereo or rip it out- the only way to get home is by tow truck. Not to mention the cost of a new factory stereo and subsequent re-programming just to get the engine to start!

Well done on the dash board install- some vehicles leave little choice for mounting nowadays.

Regards, Commscanaus.

 

[NorthCOVideo]

Well like stated above hopefully its just controls the system warning alarms and door chimes, now some of the other GM vehicles that isn't the case, it does control everything and you are stuck. And it is sad that isn't a lot of options for radio installs other than tear apart the center console and putting in a Havis Shields console or other console.

I'm still looking to places for equipment, and I'm seeing why there hasn't been a lot of posts on here about the Trailblazer or Envoy. From what I've seen around the web, about all you have space is sticking a radio or remote head in any nook and cranny you can find.

About the best install I've found so far for this vehicle.
Texas Ham Radio Operator - Chevy TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer SS and GMC Envoy Forum


I kinda feel like quoting Neil Armstrong for this install....LOL