Nice work.....now that you're in there, what's your take on how stuffs Engineered/Assembled. [i.e.] did you find things were put together in a logical well thought out way...no unneccessary parts....all the fasteners torqued down correctly...quality bits and pieces....etc etc............
YES, overall I was impressed with the quality of materials, design, and assembly. Especially for a first-year car, and ESPECIALLY for a GM. I did have my concerns when I took apart the rear bulkhead, because some of the clips there seemed to be "MacGuyvered". I found nothing of that sort up front.
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I've never met a Solstice I wouldn't autopsy.
'06 #101409 - Sold to move to Germany
'08 GXP #105359 - Bought and stored 10 months before I move back from Germany!
As for the aftermarket head unit replacment and keeping the chimes.. there is a unit out there by Metra and I believe at least one other company to keep the chimes. Cost is around $60... Metra part number GMRC-01. Crutchfield and I think CircuitCity can get them (among your favorite online aftermarket stereo company).
I had one in a previous car. All the box does in plug inbetween the head unit and the factory wiring to "hear" the Data Bus signal. The box (which contains a speaker) then makes the correct sound for the signal. Problem is the box is buried inside your dash and can be harder to hear, or much louder and is no longer volume controlable. I know my Olds Alero I could control the volume of the "dings" with the stereo... I'm guessing you can still do the same.
Data Bus connections are standard on the radios... remember, it's a worldwide radio system now, so don't get too nervous if something doesn't like Solstice on the packaging just yet.
Thanks, rlhammon. Is the other company Pacific Audio Control (PAC) by chance? I've had good luck with their adapters in the past.
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I've never met a Solstice I wouldn't autopsy.
'06 #101409 - Sold to move to Germany
'08 GXP #105359 - Bought and stored 10 months before I move back from Germany!
So can anyone tell us if there is a possibility of connecting an external CD changer?
Not for that reason, but because, and it's been mentioned before, that to truly do iPod integration (with working steering wheel controls and track info on the radio display) requires a CD changer port.
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#17313 | Scarlett! | AC | ABS | LSD | Pwr | Conv | Single MP3 | Monsoon! | All but lost...
So can anyone tell us if there is a possibility of connecting an external CD changer?
Not for that reason, but because, and it's been mentioned before, that to truly do iPod integration (with working steering wheel controls and track info on the radio display) requires a CD changer port.
It's been so long since I've really done installs, and so much has changed that I don't know what to look for anymore. I'm going to give a weak "probably not" as your answer. Sorry I can't do better than that. Keep in mind that this is the base stereo, too. The upscale units may have more inputs/outputs. However, I still doubt there will be any offered with CD changer control capabilities.
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I've never met a Solstice I wouldn't autopsy.
'06 #101409 - Sold to move to Germany
'08 GXP #105359 - Bought and stored 10 months before I move back from Germany!
Well done Scott! The pictures are fantastic and provide a whole new learning experience. Was the main dash IPtrim1 the most difficult piece? I wonder if the aftermarket will provide a replacement piece, perhaps in simulated wood burl. This might also provide an opportunity for changing location of lights?
Does the center console area have enough room under it to enable a new piece to be formed that provided a tray?
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#82 of 1K, Envious/AC/Power/Convenience/Premium/ABS/LSD - delivered 9/8/2005 Map Me
Well done Scott! The pictures are fantastic and provide a whole new learning experience. Was the main dash IPtrim1 the most difficult piece? I wonder if the aftermarket will provide a replacement piece, perhaps in simulated wood burl. This might also provide an opportunity for changing location of lights?
Does the center console area have enough room under it to enable a new piece to be formed that provided a tray?
Yes, the IP trim was by far the most trouble to remove. Once that is
I KNEW I forgot to do something.
Can't wait to see what's under the mayan temple.