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Radio upgrade for '09 Silverado
Posted on 12/30/25 at 8:40 pm
Posted on 12/30/25 at 8:40 pm
May end up keeping my '09 Silverado and if I do, I'll be looking to upgrade the radio to something modern.
Any preference or note worthy difference between the DIN and double DIN radios?
Any preference or note worthy difference between the DIN and double DIN radios?
This post was edited on 12/30/25 at 8:45 pm
Posted on 12/31/25 at 7:44 pm to SouthernInsanity
quote:
Any preference or note worthy difference between the DIN and double DIN radios?
I would think that double DIN would open up options for larger touch screens, nav systems and the like, due to have a larger screen size.
Posted on 1/1/26 at 9:11 am to MemphisGuy
Thanks and I'll get to browsing. Probably keep this truck since 124k doesn't seem like a lot of miles on it LOL.
Posted on 1/1/26 at 9:42 am to SouthernInsanity
If you're going to install it yourself, just go to https://www.crutchfield.com/
Posted on 1/1/26 at 9:31 pm to Lonnie Utah
quote:I went this route with my Tundra and it worked fine reusing the stock amp…until it didn’t. I finally took it in to a shop and had them install a new amp and speakers. Sounds great now.
If you're going to install it yourself, just go to LINK
Posted on 1/2/26 at 8:13 am to RoyalWe
quote:
I went this route with my Tundra and it worked fine reusing the stock amp…until it didn’t. I finally took it in to a shop and had them install a new amp and speakers.
I bet your new head unit was more powerful than stock and you overvolted the inputs to the stock amp.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 10:27 am to Lonnie Utah
No, it was fine and was done with Crutchfield confirming. The problem was the “ready harness” from Crutchfield became loose at some point and so I was intermittently losing speakers. I could bang the dash and get them to reconnect, but it got worse over time. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have used their harness and would have ensured better connections.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 10:06 am to SouthernInsanity
I recently did something like this in my 2008 4runner. Wanted Apple Carplay and went with Sony XAV-AX3200. Works great and am very happy with it. Went through crutchfield which will have everything you need and excellent customer service to make sure you have everything you need and also help with install if you are doing it yourself.
Posted on 1/11/26 at 8:25 am to SouthernInsanity
Crutchfield is the DIY answer unless you want to pay someone else and have access to a reputable car audio shop.
I bought a 2013 Silverado for my son a few years back and knew I wanted to upgrade the stereo and speakers. I ordered everything through Crutchfield for the upgrade (except for the backup camera) - speakers, powered JBL sub, and head unit. I actually added the JBL basspro nano compact sub a bit later, which I mounted under the rear. That little guy sounds incredible.
For the head unit, I originally ordered an Alpine double-din, but it took forever to start up after cranking the vehicle, and I could never get the steering wheel controls to work correctly. So I sent it back and exchanged it for a Sony XAV series headhunt, which starts up almost instantly. The quick start-up time is important/convenient simply because it allows the backup camera (also installed this myself) to work when you crank the vehicle put the car in reverse. The Alpine's very slow startup means you have to wait several seconds for the head unit to power up fully before putting it into reverse so you can see the backup camera image on the screen.
So in summary, I ordered/installed a Sony XAV series head unit, JBL speakers for front and rear doors, JBL tweeters to replace factory front pillar tweeters, JBL Basspro nano, and an aftermarket rear camera that was integrated into the tailgate handle (Amazon).
It took a few hours to wire everything up with a little help from Crutchfield support (world class awesome!) and Youtube. It sounds 1000x better than stock and modernized the truck by adding a backup camera and Apple CarPlay. That was 2 years ago and everything is still working great.
I bought a 2013 Silverado for my son a few years back and knew I wanted to upgrade the stereo and speakers. I ordered everything through Crutchfield for the upgrade (except for the backup camera) - speakers, powered JBL sub, and head unit. I actually added the JBL basspro nano compact sub a bit later, which I mounted under the rear. That little guy sounds incredible.
For the head unit, I originally ordered an Alpine double-din, but it took forever to start up after cranking the vehicle, and I could never get the steering wheel controls to work correctly. So I sent it back and exchanged it for a Sony XAV series headhunt, which starts up almost instantly. The quick start-up time is important/convenient simply because it allows the backup camera (also installed this myself) to work when you crank the vehicle put the car in reverse. The Alpine's very slow startup means you have to wait several seconds for the head unit to power up fully before putting it into reverse so you can see the backup camera image on the screen.
So in summary, I ordered/installed a Sony XAV series head unit, JBL speakers for front and rear doors, JBL tweeters to replace factory front pillar tweeters, JBL Basspro nano, and an aftermarket rear camera that was integrated into the tailgate handle (Amazon).
It took a few hours to wire everything up with a little help from Crutchfield support (world class awesome!) and Youtube. It sounds 1000x better than stock and modernized the truck by adding a backup camera and Apple CarPlay. That was 2 years ago and everything is still working great.
Posted on 1/11/26 at 9:27 am to yudaman
Thanks and I'll move the radio down on the list. Now I have to source a new dash. The old one is missing too many pieces and the dash skin isn't an option.
Posted on 1/11/26 at 9:33 am to SouthernInsanity
I have the same issue and I know this is very common. I'll probably replace mine as well at some point. There is a guy around Houston that sells them through Facebook. Pretty sure the dashes come out of Mexico, but they appear to be good quality from what I've read in the comments. Cost is around $400 if I remember correctly, which is way cheaper than getting one from a dealer - assuming you can even still order one.
Posted on 1/11/26 at 12:01 pm to yudaman
Yeah I have a dash skin but had to remove it to chase down an actuator issue. Once it came off I realized how bad the dash was.
But this truck runs like a beast IMO and needs these issues fixed before I consider selling.
But this truck runs like a beast IMO and needs these issues fixed before I consider selling.
Posted on 1/12/26 at 1:26 pm to SouthernInsanity
Single dins have almost lost the “modern” mark. I would only go that route for an older vehicle that I had little plans on having the vehicle. Like if I buy a vehicle to flip and it needs a radio….single din!
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