Hello all,

Going to replace the monsoon with an android bluetooth compatible headunit. Doesn't have to be a touchscreen either. What headunits would you guys suggest? Want it to fit into the stock location so no double din headunits. I want to go with Rockford Fosgate R165X3 speakers also.

Thanks

 

This one looks good:
Can I still use the factory wiring?

 

Almost every modern head unit has Bluetooth these days, especially since so many states have banned handheld use of phones. Bluetooth is not Android or iPhone specific - it's one size fits all. There are different versions which support additional features. For example, Bluetooth 4.0 and up can connect to more than one device at the same time and Bluetooth 5.0 has extended range - neither of which is important for a car environment.

Nobody makes 1.5 DIN head units that would be exact fit for the factory opening anymore except for the RetroSound units designed to look like 70s/80s factory radios. They're very good HUs but they look old and are limited to only Bluetooth and USB as extra features (no CD/DVD). So that leaves single DIN or double DIN. Both will fit in the stock location with the proper trim piece and mounting kit. Frankly, single DIN looks like crap - it is so obviously an aftermarket add-on that it looks cheap. There are some mounting panels that can make them look less cheap with a lighted logo that makes them look somewhat integrated but still obviously aftermarket. Double DIN can look pretty much factory installed when installed with a quality trim panel. This is actually easier in a Camaro than a Firebird because the available panels are the right color (available Firebird trim panels don't match the factory dash without painting and texturizing). The Camaro trim panel is about $50.

Other than that, your options are limited only by your feature wish list and your budget. I would stick to major brands like Pioneer or Kenwood, followed by Sony or Alpine and perhaps JVC. Avoid "Walmart" brands like Boss and Pyle (often called a Pyle of crap). If you listen to FM radio a lot, Pioneer has the best tuner in the market in their SuperTuner III. If you're looking for built-in GPS, Kenwood uses Garmin and Alpine uses TomTom. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are good options to look for if you want to integrate your phone into the head unit. Other options you might want to consider are USB music storage, CD/DVD player (not everyone needs this anymore), satellite radio, HD radio, graphic equalizer, pre-amp outputs for connecting to an aftermarket amp, and maybe backup camera input.

 

Thanks for that, thought they had 1.5 din available so looks like I'll go double din. I was trying to get the kenwood but it's sold out, next one was the Sony listed above. Is there a harness that goes into the BCM that I can buy? I think there's something wrong with one of the connectors in it as my radio and windows won't work randomly. I checked the BCM itself and there are no cracks in the solder. I even bought another BCM but the problem was still happening so I was able to return it.

 

I am not aware of an aftermarket replacement harness for the BCM. But I can almost guarantee that the problem is with the solder joint even if a crack is not evident. Flexing will cause intermittent disconnect of the RAP circuit causing the radio and windows to stop functioning. I'd bet that reflowing the solder joint will get rid of the problem even if it doesn't look like it.

 

If that's the problem, would it mean that the other bcm that I had bought had the same issue? I know the blue wire that goes into the harness was loose and after disconnecting and reconnecting, I had no issues for about 2 weeks and then it started happening again.

 

The car is just sitting now, so I'll put out the bcm and take a few pics of the solder joints.

 

The RAP circuit solder joint problem is the most common problem with 4th generation f-body BCMs. In fact, it's just about the only problem that commonly happens with the BCM so it's not unlikely that a used replacement might have the same problem.

However, if the dark blue wire in the black connector is loose, it could cause exactly the same symptoms. You should be able to tighten it with careful use of needle-nose pliers. I would try that before pulling the BCM for solder repair.

 

son of a bitch, it's cracked...

 

Just like that guy!! LOL Ok now gotta fix the solder.

 

Gonna hold off the head unit. Picked up this bad boy for less than $20. Now I have bluetooth in the car and it's portable. No extra wires for steering wheel controls and I used the same RCA adapter piece I had gotten for my old mp3 player. The RCA cables had to get changed though. Sound kept cutting in and out and I thought it was a loose wire in the back of the HU but it was the RCA wires the whole time. Used the ones that came with the bluetooth and yeah sooooo much better!

 

dumb question but what is that and how does it make a stock car bluetooth?

 

Not a dumb question. It's a bluetooth receiver. It hooks up with rca jacks to the back of the stock headunit, you then pair it up with your smartphone. You do need an adapter to get the rca female inputs for this work. I had gotten the GM9-AUX years ago to hook up my mp3 player before it got discontinued. Check the monsoon sticky as whitebird stated another adapter that can work.

Image of the GM9-AUX and you can see the rca connections labeled red and white.