I want to put a new head unit in my 01 monte ss. It has the rear amp in the trunk. From what I've researched you have to buy a special wiring harness for like 200 bucks?!? Then one company said I could buy a basic wiring harness but I won't have any chimes. And the steering controls won't work. I don't really care about the steering controls. Any input?

 

200 sound like too much, unless they are installing it for that price too.

I have the fancy buypass for my 06, it was 200, but includes OnStar, chimes, turn signal and Retained power.

took some searchin
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-GMOS-014.html

yup, it was 200, but now 30% off.

Plus you need the SWI-x steering control.

 

I have the 01 ss monte also, put a double din kenwood DDX371 a few months ago. went with crutchfield for the price and support. wiring harness was halfprice with purchase of head unit. also bought the steering wheel controls and sxm tuner thing. all new polk audio speakers all around. hooked it up myself with one or two calls to crutchfield support. Soo happy with the results, no sub yet but very good system for daily driver. mostly use the bluetooth streaming from my iphone, sat radio and the hands free calling. DVDs are a nice bonus on the long lunch break at work. soldered the wiring harness sitting infront of the computer, took it out and plugged it in. had maybe one wire in the wrong spot. Got the back up camera also. Wiring came with a small chime box for the audio chimes but it was loud and annoying so i unhooked it for now. Hope this helps.

Also I believe you need a amp bypass harness, its like 20 bucks i think but i already had that to fix the amp not working right when i bought the car.

Im a chef/cook/ manager not an installer but it came out good.