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SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe 2007 and newer Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon
3125 messages, Last post on Nov 27, 2009 at 6:32 PM
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Replying to: valvestud (Sep 29, 2006 12:08 pm) Finally talked to a guy at Coastaletech who is obviously one of the principles and was completely knowledgeable about the unit. Apparently it can react differently depending on the vehicle and the various sound system options. I have a Denali XL, with NAV, and rear seat entertainment. As such, and contrary to what I believe others are experiencing, I must disable the override to alter the volume level, using either the steering wheel or dash volume. Once adjusted, I can then go back to override mode. He indicates some vehicle models don't have to stop the override to change volume with the dash knob. The other issue I have concerns volume level. I must crank up the volume substantially to get the same volume when listening to other audio sources. If I forget to reduce before going back to other sources, I'm blasted with very high volume. He indicates this is due to the volume level of the particular DVD, but I haven't confirmed. He indicates they continue to work on improvements, but this is currently the best they can do. Their system works, by basically isolating the sound system from the electrical system of the vehicle. It is not just as simple as finding the right wire to override the lockout. The lockout is part of the CAN Bus used in these vehicles and is difficult to work around. Also, the single orange wire is a 12V ignition switched source the customer can use for various accessories like a radar detector. Switch 1 on the DIP switch must be turned on to enable this feature. I spent several hours trying to find a switched 12V on my Denali, so this is a nice feature. Lots of data, if anyone wants more info, let me know, and I'll try to help. Wasn't there another, albeit more expensive solution, that was mentioned in these forums? If so, please let me know. Thanks, Joe |
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Replying to: ahightower (Sep 29, 2006 10:58 am) I went through the same exercise and ended up buying a '07 Suburban. Here were my thoughts and some reasons why I bought GM over Ford. 1. GM products were on dealer lots (I purchased at the end of June), the Expy EL's I think are just showing up on lots now. I was willing to wait for the Ford but in no particular order here is how I saw it: 2. I did not like the look of the new Expy dashboard. I think the GM look is look is a lot cleaner. 3. Did not like the shifter in the center console. This is valuable space and that shifter is going to get all filled up with dirt, crumbs, etc 4. The new Expy body is very truck-like, boxy with the Ford super-duty like grille, although there is nothing wrong with that I really liked the Suburban/Tahoe look, didn't like the Yukon face as much. 5. Gas mileage. Gas was $3/gal when I was looking and the higher EPA mileage was a big plus for me. Plus the ability to burn E85 I thought would be valuable a few years down the road. Can't buy E85 where I live but if it catches on and is really cheaper (altho' MPG is 25% less with E85) didn't want to be stuck with the Expy and gas only. 6. DVD system. I have young kids and the ability to load a DVD up front with the GM system was a plus. My kids can't reach the player on the roof of the Expy. Plus the GM system is more compact on the roof versus the Ford system which fills the roof right to left. 7. Power fold & tumble 2nd row in the GM products. My wife hates manually folding that 2nd row seats, pressing a button makes it real simple to give access to 3rd row. Yes Ford has those powerfold 3rd row seats but most folks aren't powerfolding those seats every day. If you're loading passengers into a 3rd row every day the power fold & tumble 2nd row is a lot more valuable. 8. 3rd leg room in the GM 'Burb, Yukon XL is OK for adults with the 2nd row bench, not good with the 2nd row buckets (the seat standards limit where you can put your feet with the bucket seats). My guess is that the Expy 3rd is probably better for Adults. 9. 3rd row - fold & tumble in GM, fold flat in the Ford. This didn't matter to me, yes the Ford is cleaner. 10. Safety. Ford beats GM on this although it's close. Ford has the side airbags and head curtain, GM just has the head curtain bags. Both have stability control, ABS, etc. GM daytime running lights are standard, optional on Ford. GM OnStar, Ford nothing like it. 11. Interior storage space. The Expy has rear door pockets and I think a couple more storage nooks however those door pockets tend to collect a lot of junk. 12. GM seats - heated back only or heated back & seat, not sure if the Ford can do this. Ford has the cooled seats this probably will keep the leather cooler. GM has 2nd row heated seats also, not sure if Ford has this. 13. Remote start GM yes, Ford no. 14. OnStar is nice (used it once already) but the Nav Radio system is impressive. The Nav radio is integrated with the vehicle OnStar phone so if you locate a restaurant for example all you have to do is touch the screen and the vehicle phone will call it. You can also enter your own phone numbers, people, etc into the system phone book. The only negative I see with the OnStar phone is that it does not appear to have caller ID. I know the Ford has a Nav system. Ford has Sirius, GM has XM, I liked XM better. That's all I have time for right now. - Gregg Boston, Mass |
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Replying to: valvestud (Sep 29, 2006 7:48 pm) - Gregg Boston, Mass
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Replying to: ahightower (Sep 29, 2006 10:58 am) I was confronted with the same decision. I have a father-in-law that works for GM and a brother-in-law that works for Ford. So I get employee pricing no matter which way I buy. I'm a Ford man myself and have a Super Duty. When I started looking at a second vehicle I was leaning towards the Ford. I contacted my Ford salesman and had him send the order sheets on the EL. To my disbelief you couldn't get the vehicle with a limited slip/locking rear end. This was the deal sealer for me. Pulling a boat out of the water, driving in snow or wet conditions, off road it can make a difference. I don't care about the gas mileage so I opted for the new 6.0L (L76) w/DOD which has more HP, (66 HP & 15 lb/ft torque). I realize that I'm buying a full size SUV and I'm not going to get the gas mileage of a Honda Civic. I know that the EPA estimates are just that, estimates and the standards were set many years ago when the speed limit was 55 Mph. I also know better then to believe a "car salesman". The DOD works fine. Could improvements be made? I think so. I was at the NASCAR race this weekend at Kansas and got to set in the EL and I too was not impressed with the interior. The gear shift on the console s*cks. The dashboard leaves a lot to be desired. I have always believed that GM has a better interior then Ford and it seems to hold true. You can tow more with the Ford then the GM 1/2 ton, but it isn't’t that much more. It tows my bass boat just fine. The 6 speed transmission would be nice though. I'm getting tired of typing and I'm sure you are getting tired of reading. So I’m going to end with this; which ever you decide to buy do your homework and don't rely on the on a car salesman. The internet is a great place to do research. Be sure to ask questions, check facts and don't expect unrealistic numbers. I bought the Chevrolet ½ ton Suburban LTZ with all the fixing’s. |
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Replying to: greggboston (Oct 01, 2006 6:28 am) Joe |
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Replying to: valvestud (Oct 01, 2006 7:12 pm) Was it as easy to install? Did you do the nav overide? Any problems?
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Has anyone had any problems with this product? I have seen on a different site that they are hard to deal with customer service is this true?
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Replying to: tenyearpro (Oct 02, 2006 8:11 am) Yes. Was it as easy to install? Yes, once panel is removed. I used tape covered putty knife. The clips hold very well, but they do break loose. The bottom center is the hardest. Did you do the nav overide? No, but I understand it works well. When in override, the screen will flash every 10-15 seconds so the GPS can catch-up. Any problems? See my other posts related to volume control. This may be only on Denali units with NAV and/or rear DVD |
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Replying to: tenyearpro (Oct 02, 2006 8:14 am) See my other posts I have seen on a different site that they are hard to deal with customer service is this true? Yes, they are hard to get hold of via phone. They respond pretty well via email. If you see my other posts, I finally was able to speak to one of the principles related to actual operation and some of the problems inherent to working with new car electrical systems. |
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Replying to: tenyearpro (Oct 02, 2006 8:11 am)
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