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Alpine IVA-D900

T

TruckZor

Full Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
280
Location
Long Island
Has anybody used this DVD head unit in the Avalanche and if so, is there any issue with the motorized screen contacting the shift lever while it is extending?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can get the best deal on one of these?
 
Ok...just did a search and found that there is a problem when the truck is in park, but it seems like if the unit is set to manual open & close mode it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Someone did mention moving the unit to the lower add-on slot. Where is that? Is that only on trucks with the center console? Because mine has the 40/20/40 front seats.
 
Yes on both counts. The unit will not open or close freely due to the shift lever, and yes I moved my headunit down to the cd/cass slot in the console and put a 7" widescreen in the dash where the stereo used to be. I am still awaiting my dash get back after being dyed to match and I will post photos when it gets here.

It is an awesome unit and I lived with it since they arrived in the US by keepng it manual. I also bought a set of sterring whell controls so I can still control the unit down in the console.

All this is mute if you have the bench :( but I will do what I can to be of help

Christian
 
Christian,

Thanks so much for your help. So, if I buy the Alpine and run it manually (only when the truck is in drive) will that work ok?

Also, I wonder if I could just buy the center console? Do you have any idea if it would it fit between my seats?

I would really love to have the Alpine down low to avoid being seen by the cops and also because I would love to use the stock location for boost and fuel pressure gauges. I'm pretty close to ordering the Magnuson kit but first I want to sort out all these little details because I hate surprises!!!

Ross
 
I own a clarion motorized indash dvd player and yes it does hit the shift lever. I have found that I only open to play a movie or display the capabilities to those who inquire. Point being is that you might not use the screen as much as you think. I tend to keep mine consealed when just listening to music anyway. So believe me it shouldn't be a problem. And you don't want to draw more attention to your system than really needed.
 
Yes, I can certainly agree with you on keeping things concealed. I wonder if the Alpine can also be closed while playing music?

I do kind of want it down lower for playing movies. My formerly perfect driving record just took two seriuous hits in the last 3 months and I CANNOT get anymore tickets right now. I'm pushing it on points right now. Hopefully my attorney will have some good luck ;)
 
it can do everything necessary when closed, you just use the remote to change tracks etc

Christian
 
Hello TruckZor,
The question I have is why not shorten your gear shift lever. I shortened mine on my truck for my Pioneer head unit. It's fairly easy to do. Took me about two hours to shorten mine and now it no longer hits the gearshift lever.
 
Well...I actually kind of like the idea of adding the console for several reasons. I do want to have the screen lower so I won't have to worry about the cops seeing it while driving and I also wanted to run some aftermarket gauges in the factory radio location.

As long as you say there is no problem with the strength of the console after cutting away the extra material, I think I will go that route as I feel it will just be a better overall package when I am done.
 
I probably cut away way to much plastic out of my console and still the console is steady as a rock.
 
Glad to hear it...my installer is getting me a quote on Monday. He's going to track down the GM parts through his contact at the local dealership.

Ok...so now I have another question...do you think that the shift lever will interfere at all with the screen in the new location when it is in drive, or worse...all the way down in first gear?

If so, how did you shorten the lever?

 
I have mine in the lower console and the shifter doesn't come anywhere near it. The only thing that will hit mine is if you have a drink in the front cupholder. I can post a picture if you want to see it.
 
I am guessing this is the location you are referring to. It was a little bit of a pain in the butt to get it in, but it will slide in (with a little bit of removing of plastic). I installed it myself and it was the first time I had tried to install a radio. I really like it where it is at. I also hooked two Vizualogic headrest to it.

alpine1.jpg


Let me know if you have any other questions.

Oh yeah, I can't seem to skip to the next rack of a dvd with the monitor closed. Don't know if I am just doing something worng, but it won't let me.


 
Thanks for posting that pic :)

Yours looks like the perfect location. I'm pretty sure that the console you have is different from the one I'm looking at adding to my truck (mine has the 40/20/40 split bench) but I don't think that the add on slot location is all that different so it seems like it will work just fine.

I'm supposed to get a call back today from my usual equipment dealer so hopefully I'll be getting everything together soon. I'll get in touch if I run into any problems.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me out with this :B:
 
MichaelB14 said:
I am guessing this is the location you are referring to. It was a little bit of a pain in the butt to get it in, but it will slide in (with a little bit of removing of plastic). I installed it myself and it was the first time I had tried to install a radio. I really like it where it is at. I also hooked two Vizualogic headrest to it.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Click to expand...

Michael, it looks like you have left the OEM HU in place, how have you pumped the sound through the speakers? Are your steering wheel controls for the the OEM HU or the Alpine? Do they work?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm sorta looking at the same stuff.
 
I got that peice from JPCustoms that allowed me to send the sound thru my XM input. I put the toggle switch in the lower console upper hole. It works out well. I have all the parts for splitting my antenna so I can listen to the radio from either the HU or the Alpine, but haven't installed it. The Steering wheels controls control the HU. I turned the Alpine pretty much all the way up, so I can control the volume thru the HU.

I really like the Alpine. The reason I choose it over the Pioneer or Kenwood was I had the ability to send different inputs to different outputs (tvs) and I could control it all from HU. Basically I could have all three tvs on and three different things playing. I believe it could be done with the other units, but it wasn't as clean. I am also now kind of glad I didn't get a touchscreen. I can see finger prints on mine as it is. I would hate to see how many finger prints would be on it if it was a touchscreen.

Let me know if you have anyother questions...
 
Ok...I have one of these babies on the way and I've been considering installing a 2003 center console into my 2002 (with bench seat) so that I can mount it down low and out of sight. It's looking like more trouble than it's worth so I want to know if I get a seperate display that I have built in down lower in the vehicle can I run the Alpine head unit closed and still have the other screen operational?

If so, does anybody recommend a good monitor? None of the ones I've found have anywhere near the pixel count of the Alpine's built in screen.

Thanks for any input.
 
Truckzor, most of the Alpine and Kenwood aux displays are very nice, and no, none of them will come close to the pixel count on the DVA900 for some time to come (the glass is just too expensive at this point). The center console from an '03 would require extensive work to get installed in your vehicle as it mounts to the lower dash in several places. You could probably get it to work, but definitely not a drop in deal.

Your point is well taken though in that one of the best features about the 900 is its ability to control other monitors independently.
 
Well, I have the unit now and I can't wait to get it up and running. One question, though. Where do I put the "brains" for it? It looks like I can mount the box under the passenger seat but it would have to be attached to the frame otherwise the seat would hit it when it's moved.

I was going to just put it in the dash for now and then move it to the console when I got that in the truck but maybe I will just wait until I get the console. There is room under the center console for it, right? I'm thinking of a 2002 Denali console now, by the way. I saw pics of one and really liked it, plus I've been told that it will definitely work in my truck...other than it needing to be dyed to match the interior, that is. :rolleyes:
 
How about behind your glove box? Just installed one there and even fit the xm receiver on top of it. If you do the center console, you should have a ton of room. What did you decide on the alarm/remote start? I pm'ed you but never heard back. Let me know if you need any help there :D
 
I got your PM about that and I will be in touch. I just decided to do this project one day and the details are driving me crazy! I will take a look behind the glovebox...sounds like it might be the way to go. Thanks for all the help.
 
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