upgrade to bose

Hi everyone. If you can please copy your post to my email. Ok i have a 2003 trailblazer LTZ. I am an idiot the only options i didnt get was the bose and the Limited slip. Well now i want them both. Today i bought a Bose Xm radio from Ebay with the 6 disc changer from a 05 tahoe. I know everyone says i need the XM antenea that goes behind the glove box. How hard is this convert going to be?? I know i am going to have to go to the dealership to get the radio reprogrammed. I also know i need to find the bose speakers. i have 4 now, this there any more??? I a need the amp. Does mine have an amp at all?? if so what can i expect. My buddy is a mechanic and he thinks it should work. But he isnt sure, WIll this pose a problm with the RDS?? Thanks

First, there are 6 speakers in the BOSE system, 1 speaker in each of the doors as well as 2 tweeters in the dash toward the windshield. I think there should be grates there, but no speakers. You will need the amplifier, but I don't know about any of your other questions. Erik

The factory radios are programmed to the VIN number of the vehicle. The 2005 will not program to your 2003 vehicle. Its a pretty dumb system. Your radio will read "locked" and the dealer has to program the radio to your vehicles computer, but the those 2 model years do not work together. 2002-2003 model radios will work if swapped and 2004 and up work if swapped only. The bose model radios do not have any power output to the speakers, they rely on the bose amp that is under the dash on bose equipt vehicles. Basically, your better off going aftermarket will the whole system to achieve what you want.

I almost forgot, the amplifier in my 02 TrailBlazer is in the trunk on the right side in front of the storage space in the side of the truck. Hope you figure out a solution! :) Erik

The factory radios are programmed to the VIN number of the vehicle. The 2005 will not program to your 2003 vehicle. Its a pretty dumb system. Your radio will read "locked" and the dealer has to program the radio to your vehicles computer, but the those 2 model years do not work together. 2002-2003 model radios will work if swapped and 2004 and up work if swapped only. The bose model radios do not have any power output to the speakers, they rely on the bose amp that is under the dash on bose equipt vehicles. Basically, your better off going aftermarket will the whole system to achieve what you want.
SO nothing i do is going to make this unit work. I have to find one from a model year 2002 - 2004. I dont want to go aftermarket becuase of the stupid rds. And i dont want to relocate the head unit. How much do you think the dealer will charge me to convert. I am friends with a service manager at a chervotlet dealership. But back to my org question. Can the dealer reprogram the 05 tahoe unit to work or did i waste 200? IF yes, where is a good place to find a new one that will work. Where can i get bose speakers for the doors. Where do the speakers go in the dash. I assume they go in the under the grill holes to the left and right. And the amp, is the LTZ pre wired for an amp and the speaker. I am an idiot when it comes to audio, but i am very sure that i dont want aftermarket. I also want XM on the unit what do you suggest

I am not 100% sure if radios from other vehicles will work or not.....

But I know that you can enter a code....be it 1234 or ???? to unlock the unit. Will it work in your vehicle once the radio is unlocked....I don't know for sure.



You know....you can put something other than Bose in your TB. Pioneer makes a head unit the same size as the stock TB radio. Add an amp & some better speakers & you have a better sounding system than the Bose.....it may cost a little more, but you might like it better.

I dont want to go aftermarket becuase of the stupid rds.

What is rds?

RDS is Radio Data System...or something like that,
It tells you whaat station your on & there call sign & what they play.
It will even tell you what the name of the song is & who sings it....if the station has that capability......not all stations willl tell you who's playing.


As far as I know.....on stock systemss, you can turn it on or off.
Isn't it like that for the aftermarket radios? It should be.......

Well, personally I think all this work is pointless. The BOSE system itself sucks. The radio part is no different than any other regular AC Delco radio. It's the speakers and the amp that's different.

RDS, it is on all higher end aftermarket stereos out there. I'd rather have better sounding systems than to have the call letters of the radio station listed. There are new aftermarket stereo adaptors that make aftermarket stereos work in Tb's.

To get the "bose" system to work, go to the dealer. They have to program your VIN number into this new radio. It will work. Most dealers charge about $35 to do this.

The first thing I did when I brought home my new Silverado was yank that crappy OEM radio and put it on Ebay. It still had the protective plastic wrap on the face of it. I think it brought a rediculous $300 on Ebay.