New HU in 2004 GP

[GP04GT2]

Santa is bringing me a new stereo for Christmas, as I'm tired of not having bluetooth and iPod integration in my car. I've got a 2004 Grand Prix GT2 with the Monsoon system, steering wheel controls, but no On-Star. I've also got a HUD, but I don't think there's any hope of me retaining the radio functionality of that...I'll live, just as long as it still works for the other stuff (speed, compass, temp, etc.). Here's what I'll be installing next week:

Clarion CX609 head unit - Amazon.com: Clarion CX609 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB Port: Electronics
PAC SWI-JACK (cuz I'd miss the steering wheel controls!) - PAC - SWIJACK Steering Wheel Control Interface - Blue - SWIJACK
Metra GMOS-04 - Metra - Replacement Interface for Most GM Vehicles - GMOS-04
Metra double-din install kit - Metra - Installation Kit for 2004 - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Vehicles - Black - 95-3527

So...before I embark on this project, any warnings or tips? I haven't done an install in ten years or so, but I think most everything is pretty straightforward. The SWI-JACK instructions leave much to be desired - I'll probably have to do some more research on where those wires need to get spliced in. How is the install of the GMOS-04? Any splicing to do (aside from connecting to the HU harness, of coures)?

I'll try to snap some pics and post them here. Looking forward to finally upgrading!

 

[GP04GT2]

Done and done! It was really a pretty painless project. The CX609 is a great radio for the price (<$250), considering it has USB/iPod + Bluetooth built in. Crutchfield says it doesn't fit in a Grand Prix - believe me, it does. There are some annoyances with the iPhone when you use both Bluetooth and USB, though - if the BT pairs up after it's plugged in, the source switches to BT audio and requires some manual intervention on the phone to get it back to USB. I'm still trying to figure out how to work around that, as I'd prefer not to use BT for audio.

The GMOS-04, despite all the horror stories I've read, has been working well the past week. There's a nice grounding screw near the back of the radio, so I tied all the ground wires together to give it a little extra ground. There's still a tiny bit of static and engine noise - not enough to bother me, but I might try some of the tricks I've read here to solve that one.

The SWI-JACK works well (though I do miss my 1-6 preset cycle button - will have to get used to the up/down cycling presets). My tip for installing that is to find another harness with the same pins as the GMOS-04 (I was fortunate to have one laying around) so you can add pins 6 and 7 to the harness - saves you from having to do any splicing and gives you a nice clean install.