Mod/Upgrade/Fix: Upgrade
Interior Audio: Standard 2007 Head unit replacement with Pioneer AVH-1550NEX DVD Receiver w/ XM Tuner
Completed: 5/27/19
Purchase Link:
Crutchfield
Let's face it. The old OEM CD player in an 07 really is behind on technology and sound quality just in itself. To start off the adventure of your sound system upgrades, the head unit is where you logically should start in this case. It would have been completely different if I have the systems that come in today's SV's, but I don't. Had to get rid of this asap.
My shop of choice... Crutchfield. Other consideration was Sonic Electronix due to many recommendations here on the Forums. Crutchfield - Hands down the best support, documentation, fitment recommendation, and consultation all in one place, and you don't even have to pick up the phone. I set my budget at $600 max for this project alone. Head Unit, Shipping, XM receiver, install adapters, some extra connectors just in case - shy of $483 total. $70 rebate from SiriusXM and $9 Cash back from
Rakutan. Less than
$405 after all is said and done.
I really wanted the Pioneer DMH-1500NEX and really have no use for DVD/CD player, but.... the damn thing on Crutchfield was continually out of stock even hours after it went on sale! I settled for the Pioneer AVH-1550NEX DVD Receiver. I really would have liked to have the controls at the bottom of the unit but oh well. Ordered it up, had them supply the install kit with the adapters and added the XM tuner as well. Fairly happy with my purchase and an immediate impact on the sound quality coming from the stock speakers was evident not to mention the Apple carplay and bluetooth capability I was gaining. This will be the starting point of the sound system transition in the truck and over time the OEM speakers will be replaced, as well as a bass application and some sort of amp setup.
Removal of the old unit. Piece of cake when you use some quality Trim removal tools.
I had some old Harbor Freight trim removal tools on hand, but I decided to buy this kit off Amazon in prep for install.
https://amzn.to/34q5FG9
This worked great as I had seen some other posts where folks were breaking the top tray when removing the radio bezel. I didn't want to do that.
Old unit out and factory pigtails and antenna exposed:
New unit unboxed, mounting bracket installed:
Adapters in place and ready for Head Unit hookup:
Head Unit connected and ready to test power:
Did not run taps for Reverse or brake connectors as I don't have a reverse camera necessitating the connections... yet.
Ran the XM antenna to a temp spot on the roof for the time being:
Buttoned up the mounting of the head unit and reattach the bezel:
Now I was ready to activate my XM service.
Fairly easy install, practically plug n play, and comprehensive step-by-step instructions supplied by Crutchfield were supplied (Really didn't use them). This was the easy part. Amps, new speakers, sub, etc. are a little more involved and I will delve into that installation when I start it.