Ok folks. Been looking through the threads on aftermarket units vs. adding components to the PCM. Want to try and get some opinions and possibly some technical answers as well.

What I have: 2006 C2 Cab with PCM (v. 3.3 i think), Bose, and factory CD changer.

What I want: iPod full connectivity, Nav, (and would like a back up camera). Bluetooth would be nice but not necessary.

I'm not concerned about the esthetics as some of the bezels from ebay actually look really good. I am concerned about loss of some of the PCM functions. The exterior temp and mpg/miles to empty are displayed in the instrument cluster, but are these coming from the PCM? Will you loose that display if the PCM is removed?

Second concern is sound quality and need for additional amps etc? I am no audiophile, but I really think the Bose sys sounds pretty good. I know some have changed out the whole audio sys (head unit, amps, speakers, etc), but I am hoping to just change out the head unit with no amp replacement. The unit I am looking at is the Pioneer AVIC-Z120BT. I read in one thread that someone replaced the head unit to drive all the factory speakers with the exception of the subs which they somehow spliced the Bose factory amp into the new system. Wondering about this and possibly a few details on materials etc.

Second option is just to add mObridge or Dension for iPod/bluetooth, possibly (gasp) add the factory Nav module ($$$$$$$) and fore go the back up camera completely.

Thoughs? Opinions? Advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

Although I do not have many answers I can tell you that adding the factory NAV is not a good idea. For the cost it is a terrible unit, or at least in my 05 C2S is it very bad. Mostly because it is not a touch screen so its cumbersome to use.

I do have the same exact questions about the display for MPG and I also use it to show me the current song on the radio. I also have “the wart” and would think it would no longer work if the PCM was removed.

 

I was in the same boat as you 2 weeks ago with a new (to me) '07 C4S Cab. Opted for the Z120BT. Going to pick the car up today or tomorrow. Know I lost the steering wheel controls, but from all I've read you keep the instrument cluster functions but lose the trip functions etc. from the PCM screen. When I get it back, I'll post some pics and a review. The shop was to have the car back to me Saturday, but they called and weren't satisfied with the paint match on the bezel, so they re-painted it this morning. We'll see. I did opt for the new amp.

There's a recent, great, informative thread on here already describing replacing the PCM with a 110BT.

 

I have the Z110BT and you keep the temperature and MPG info etc on the instrument cluster. Only thing you lose is the radio station and CD info that used to be displayed on the instrument cluster. I also opted for a new amp. The benefits outweighed the cost since the price for the amp installed was marginal (~$200). After researching on various audio forums, running the amp was going to be more efficient in the long run so as to avoid burning out or overheating the internal amp in the headunit. I reviewed the system here: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...enum-more.html

 

Saw your post previously. Very nice, and one of the main reasons I'm considering the pioneer....that and I've got the AVIC D3 in my F-150.

So just to confirm you are using a 4 channel amp to run most of the speakers and using the head units amp to run the subs?

 

PLEASE let me know what you think, esp quality of sound. I don't have a multifunction wheel so I'm not to worried about that. Also interested in the amp and how they are wiring it to which speakers. The center channel I would think would be problematic unless it is being controlled by the head unit.

 

Yes,
The amp is powering all the speakers, and the internal headunit amp powers the sub. Center channel speaker is disconnected.

 

My next question......

In adding an amp, what can the factory bose speakers handle in terms of RMS power. What about the subs? Could you use a 5 channel amp to run all the speakers and the sub?

 

Could anyone confirm that if I update the head unit, I will retain the cluster functions (mpg, driving range, error messages etc)? Will all of trip meter functionality, mpg, avg spd, temperature etc be lost as they are in PCM? Are there any head units that can show these?