07 TAHOE REAR CAMERA QUESTION

I know this has been covered in multiple forums, at different times. But I need to make sure i am clear on this.

I have a 2007 tahoe LT2 with Rear dvd and the normal cd player. I think I am going to purchase the GM navigation unit. I will have to get the 2.0 version disk, and an antenna, and have Tech 2 ran. IS THIS CORRECT?

Now, if I get all the above, what do I need to do to have the back up camera? I dont believe there is any box under the front passenger seat. I think i am looknig for a silver one of some sort? i think the only box under the seat is near the door side of the seat and it is big and black? So is the camera option out if I dont have the little box? How much more trouble and money if I dont? thanks guys.

So far you are correct.
You will need to install the rear camera control module under the pax seat and also you will need the wiring harness from the camera to the module and the module to the head unit (nav/stereo) and then you will also need the rear camera feature enabled via Tech2, this may prove to be way more hassle and expense than it is worth.

I think I have this figured out with the exception of the wiring from the camera, to the module, to the HU.

Where and what part numbers amd I looking for the wiring? Could the module then be placed behind the HU or maybe in the rear hatch door?

I would just purchase the unit(s) and use your own wiring.

The camera from gmpartsdirect is $181 and the module under the seat is $38. Don't make the mistake I did and purchase the items from a local Dealership. I paid just under $300 just for the camera from the dealership. I also couldn't get the camera to work but we were attempting to wire it into a Kenwood without that module under the seat. I instead just purchased a Kenwood camera which is coming today.

There isnt wiring that is standard for the module? It doesnt requre wiring with special adaptors or plugs?

quote:

ORIGINAL: biglg

I think I have this figured out with the exception of the wiring from the camera, to the module, to the HU.

Where and what part numbers amd I looking for the wiring? Could the module then be placed behind the HU or maybe in the rear hatch door?

Anyone know if this is possible, and the part numbers for all?

Still waiting to hear on the wiring as well. I have never seen this so I dont know. i would think the module and camera would require a special harness and wires. Dont know though. Can anyone tell us what we need besides the module and camera?

I've been researching the wiring question as well; went to two dealerships and neither parts dept can give me a part # for the harnesses. Even tried grabbing the VIN off a LTZ in the lot with the factory option to no avail - was told multiple harnesses were shown and they could not tell which was correct. IN any event, was told it would be very pricy & of course I would void my warranty, GM really does not want owners making changes to the 07's. But, re: the rear camera the following may be of interest:

Where did you get your navigation unit? How much?

Please let us know if the kenwood camera is simple plug and play! Thanks for the info and good luck.

Re: Kenwood camera - wife's going to get it for me for Christmas, so I'll post results shortly thereafter.

Hey konasmrz,

I just did the same thing you did, installing the Nav head-unit, and I too noticed the bass increase. Which leads me to asking you which radio did you have in before you did the upgrade? I'm thinkin' that the Bose system amp was ONLY made to work with the Nav head-unit. I don't think the amp that powers the sub-woofer was working with any other factory stereo. Two things lead me to believe this. 1. The very noticeable bass increase, and 2. Notice only the Nav head-unit has the Bose name printed on the front of it. None of the other stereo options say Bose on the front.

Hey konasmrz,

I just did the same thing you did, installing the Nav head-unit, and I too noticed the bass increase. Which leads me to asking you which radio did you have in before you did the upgrade? I'm thinkin' that the Bose system amp was ONLY made to work with the Nav head-unit. I don't think the amp that powers the sub-woofer was working with any other factory stereo. Two things lead me to believe this. 1. The very noticeable bass increase, and 2. Notice only the Nav head-unit has the Bose name printed on the front of it. None of the other stereo options say Bose on the front.

I had the base radio (single cd) with XM & Bose. With the bass turned down it's acceptable but would like to get it configured correctly.

There must be some radio code option in the BCM that presets EQ levels based on radios.. ZX, is this the case?


Ps. Have not yet installed the Kenwood camera (have to wait until Xmas....) but I did verify that the rear camera option works by extending the video pigtail off the Coastal harness and plugging in my digital camera's video out. When I put the Tahoe in reverse I get picture! So there should not be an issue with the Kenwood.

konasmrz,

Honestly I don't think that anything is wrong with your system, nor does it need to be reprogrammed. I too had the exact set up as you, and either you and I both have defective base units, or GM is fooling people into believing that they're getting the full sound experience with the Bose and the base model systems, WHEN you really only get it with the top of the line Nav unit. I don't know how long you listened to your radio before you did the Nav upgrade, but you were probably just used to hearing it with no bass because the amp was never powering the sub-woofer. My bass indicator was turned up about 3/4 on the basemodel system. Now with the Nav upgrade I had to turn it down to almost 1/2. Obviously your audio preferences are subjective, but there's no question that there is more power, and better sound coming out of the Nav head-unit, and again is the only GM head-unit with Bose lable stamped on the front of it.

So unless I'm misunderstanding you and your audio is distorted or just sounds crappy or out of whack, nothing is wrong with your system.

Now the next step is to find out factually that the amp is not being powered by the base model stereos is the case, and it's something that I'm working on. I do feel that my hypothesis is right on though.

TMW597,

You may be on to something here in that the amp/sub might not be active with the lower end radios. I have to admit that I had very little cockpit time with the original radio before I swapped in the NAV unit, but as I recall I was originally not impressed with the $495 Bose speaker system (expected more oomph) - until I hooked up the NAV & put in a DVD - at which point there was a noticable difference. Re: my preference - I have the bass set at ~ 25% & it thumps at that setting (which is the way I like it - to my earlier comment about it being "acceptable"). Going beyond 50% it gets overpowering to the point of being muddy - which is why I'm still thinking it's a programming thing.

Also,
I remember hearing something early on that GM was putting Bose systems in ALL the early run Tahoes (mine was built in May 2006), perhaps that has something to do with it?

konasmrz,

Yep, seems like you and I are on the same page. Yeah, I've logged several hours in the truck with the base unit. I even drove back and forth to Vegas a couple of times so in the world of "before and after", I had a lot of time to hear the before. When I hooked up that Nav unit I was like, "WOW! Where did that full, rich sound come from?" I noticed it instantly. I was right there with you though when I took delivery of the truck. I was like, "This is the Bose system with the sub-woofer! Where's the bass?" Like you I expected much more oomph as you put it.

As far as your observation on when your truck was built, that could have something to do with it, and if you're getting bad audio I do agree with you on getting it looked at.

BTW, my truck was built the week of September 11th 2006.

Smartpark makes one that adds a camera to 2007 vehicles with Nav that were supposed to have cameras and did not. This plugs in and is a quick and easy install that can be done at any GM dealership. You can see it at www.smartpark.net, SmartPark also makes ipod integration for GM vehicles 2003-2007.

Looks like some good stuff Roger.
Is there any way to actually purchase these items?

you bet the office line is 714-847-7222




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HOw about the price? I asked for info, will that get me the price?

To install the OEM camera it isnt too pricey. It is a bit scary that your site doesnt have prices. SHould I get a second job?

biglg and Roger C Hooker Jr,

Read my post here and look out for the update tomorrow and Friday. You can get the OEM factory set up for around $250 for all of the parts. Check it out: http://www.chevroletforum.com/m_5604/mpage_5/key_/tm.htm#14680 Post #83

quote:

ORIGINAL: biglg

I think I have this figured out with the exception of the wiring from the camera, to the module, to the HU.

Where and what part numbers amd I looking for the wiring? Could the module then be placed behind the HU or maybe in the rear hatch door?

I should have these part numbers posted here Friday 12/1. My parts guy had to call GM to order them and is having them couriered over to the install shop. I'll have paperwork at that point to get the numbers. AND, I'll let you know how the install goes later on in the evening.

Just to recap this will be installing an OEM back-up camera in a Yukon that WAS NOT pre-wired at the factory. This will be all of the factory parts, plug and play, after the fact.

I'll keep ya' posted.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Roger C Hooker Jr

you bet the office line is 714-847-7222




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Is it really that easy? I've made two phone calls (left message with receptionist for both), and sent two email to purchase the iConnect for GM. Not one response. I have a fleet of trucks for this product and can't get any correspondence.

TMW

quote:

ORIGINAL: TMW597

quote:

ORIGINAL: Roger C Hooker Jr

you bet the office line is 714-847-7222




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Is it really that easy? I've made two phone calls (left message with receptionist for both), and sent two email to purchase the iConnect for GM. Not one response. I have a fleet of trucks for this product and can't get any correspondence.

TMW

LMAO! OOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Makes me want to jump on it!

Seriously though, and I'm really not trying to be a smart ass either. I just don't understand how you do business without communicating. And if it's just because I'm not a dealership, why would you not want to deal with an end user every now and then? Especially one that works for NBC/Universal Studios, whom comes in contact with countless celebrities on a day to day basis, not to mention all of the studio laborers that all pull 6 figures per year, AND all love their iPods, and would love an interface like this in their vehicles. But I'm just saying though. Sometimes you have to move away from the "script" and ad lib. In the entertainment business when one person has the latest "gadget" everyone else wants it and money usually isn't a factor.

Just my opinion.

I don't expect to hear from them at all now after writing this, but it's fine. Another company will come out with a similar product (some are already out there) and will get all of the studio's business.