Sonny01

My 2000 K1500 ext cab has the standard single CD radio that I would like to upgrade to get RDS (Radio Data Service). Is there a factory unit made up to 2002 that I can get or does anybody know of a good aftermarket unit that is a direct bolt-in?

Thanks,
Sonny01

rjeffery

I'm not sure where you can get an RDS radio, but if you are looking to get rid of your old radio, I might be interested. I have an 02 with the same radio, and fried the lighting circuit when I tried to soldier in a new light bulb. Now, whenever the headlights are on, I have no lights or clock on my radio. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks.

Tdragone

I had the same radio in my '02 and discovered I wanted RDS after a rental '04 Suburban had it.

I did a lot of research and no; you can't just throw in a newer model OEM radio since there are interactions between the radio and the truck.

I ended up going with the Kenwood X789 mp3 player that has RDS and I LOVE it.
I bought it from crutchfield and also bought a wiring harness to go from the stock wiring harness back to wires. All I had to do were splice the 2 harnesses together and I'm done! If I sell the truck; I unplug the new wiring harness and plug in the old radio.

Search crutchfield for the harness and mounting kit for your model year; you will NOT be disappointed with them!

Now on top of having RDS; I can put 8-12 albums of MP3's on 1 regular CD and have music for a week.

vnotaro

I just replaced the exact same radio in my 01 with a Pioneer 4800mp from crutchfield. I had already replaced the speakers with Kenwood components up front and Infinitys in the rear and added an amp. The sound with the new head unit is nothing short of awesome. Even my wife notices the difference. Also, depending on how much you spend with crutchfield, they will throw in the right wiring harness and the dash trim kit for free. Like Tdragone says, when I get rid of the truck, just unplug the harness and the stock unit goes right back in.

Sonny01

Thanks guys for the replys but I'm looking for a radio that takes up the whole din and 1/2 dash space and not one that has a spacer around it. Does anybody make one.

vnotaro

I believe Pioneer makes one but I may be wrong. When I was searching Crutchfields site, I know that I saw at least one. Get ready to pay more for this though.

Tdragone

I'm partial to kenwood:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RMH55d3...00&I=113DPX301

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RMH55d3...00&I=113DPX501
Pioneer:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RMH55d3...0&I=130DEHP47D

Is there a reason you don't like the single DIN units (Curious)
With the trim kit; mine doesn't look bad. If you want I can post a pic tonight...

Sonny01

Tdragone...it would be great if you would post a picture. The two kenwood units are 4" tall which is double DIN. DIN and a Half is only 3" tall so they won't fit in my dash. The Pioneer unit is the right size but it doesn't have RDS...darn it. To me the single DIN looks like aftermarket and are easy to sell and are targeted by thieves. Plus they don't fill up the space in the dash.