2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71 by Audio-X

BigAl205

BigAl205

HMFIC
Staff member
After a long wait, and a lot of grief from my friends, I've finally started on my build. Here's the patient...a 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71 quad-cab. If I had kids, I probably would have opted for the crew cab, but I prefer to have a longer bed. With the bed extender, I can carry a full-sized sheet of plywood laying flat in the bed.

NZWk2yZX_o.jpg


iNGIoNLW_o.jpg


HXmg99gy_o.jpg


Fil6MjJE_o.jpg
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

Here's the HU that I'm installing:

2IQSfVgi_o.jpg


jPXlnlwN_o.jpg


jKFeazm8_o.jpg



I had a helluva time getting everything soldered, because my tip was burn up to the point that I couldn't even tin it.
wZ2bSSXJ_o.jpg


I didn't have another one on-hand, so I had to order a replacement...and here it is :D
qgGkVxLV_o.jpg
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

The DMH-C5500NEX has an 8" capacitive touch screen, and Metra just released a dash kit specifically for it. It's one of the best looking kits I've ever seen:

CHhjvIep_o.jpg


WH3ni8Pq_o.jpg


As you might have noticed, this unit has a separate screen that connects to the hidden radio box via a data cable. This means I didn't have to hack up the dash to get a double-din to fit.

I did have to take apart half the dash to run wires, though. Here's the pigtail that plugs into the steering wheel clockspring harness
Z8Uakv1h_o.jpg


Everything is controlled via a iDataLink Maestro RR
W23tdpCJ_o.jpg


Here she is all buttoned up and playing
Wb4WB6lA_o.jpg



More to come...
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

That is awesome my friend! Love that clean, absolutely factory looking install. You done very well my friend!

That Hakko is sweet, right? Easily my favorite soldering setup ever. Sooooo easy to use.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

That thing really does look good in there. You got the ball rolling so may as well keep it going. What are the plans downstream of the headunit?
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

I like the front view of truck and the rear shot of CAJ sticker the view of work bench wall looks like it is in the truck, a partition .

Prolly amps/amp -n- speakers, HillbillySQ.
 
Last edited:
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

Hillbilly SQ said:
That thing really does look good in there. You got the ball rolling so may as well keep it going. What are the plans downstream of the headunit?
Click to expand...
I bought Erin's Helix DSP Pro, and I have a couple of Mosconi AS 200.4 that I got from Chuck. Not sure on subs or speakers.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

You can join me and chit in the Audiofrog lovefest OR just do Anarchies, ccwr's, and mdt12's with the ported 18". OR, get a sub that will work well with a bridged pair of channels from one of the 200.4's.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

I'm thinking possibly a 12" or two in custom center console...but I still want an 18 for that low stuff...
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

I really like that separate screen with the Pioneer, trying to stuff my Kenwood into the dash opening with all the wiring harness behind it was a major PITA. Would have been cool to locate the main radio piece in the glovebox and just mount the screen in the dash.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

naiku said:
I really like that separate screen with the Pioneer, trying to stuff my Kenwood into the dash opening with all the wiring harness behind it was a major PITA. Would have been cool to locate the main radio piece in the glovebox and just mount the screen in the dash.
Click to expand...
The data cable is only 8" long, but they make a 59" extension cable, which I bought for possible future use.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

Weird that the cable is only 8" long, somewhat restricts being able to put the brains somewhere other than where they would be if it were a traditional double din. I can't see many vehicles having a spot 8" away from the screen to make it worthwhile, yet a 59" cable is pretty long. Seems that it would have made sense to offer an 18-24" cable with the unit, but still have the option of the 59" one for those that might want it.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

I was having issues with the system...backup camera wasn't switching on in reverse, and the system would periodically flake out to where it would automatically revert to the phone screen. I could press another button, it would change for a split second, then go back to phone. It seemed to work fine when I started up the system, but hitting the turn signal the first time would cause it to spaz out.

I fixed the backup camera issue...I'm slightly colorblind, especially between blue and purple, so I had the blue/white wire from the Maestro hooked up to the purple/white of the radio harness, and vice-versa. It's working fine now.

I pulled the Maestro, re-flashed it, and it seemed to be doing okay until I tried adjusting time alignment while sitting at a drive-thru. It didn't change screens on me, but I lost most (but not all) steering wheel controls. I pulled into a parking spot, rebooted everything, and it worked fine all the way to work. As long as it doesn't flake on my while driving, I can deal with not making adjustments without restarting. I'm going to try a few more troubleshooting ideas before I start a thread on the Maestro's forum.
 
Re: 2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71

Is it getting enough juice? Might have to recable the positive and negative to the battery...

Kelvin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top