How to: Install the PAC AAI-GM9 aux input interface into a GM truck

[T DOG]

Here is how I installed the PAC AAI-GM9 in my '98 Silverado. This auxiliary audio input will work in many 1995-2002 GM vehicles with factory radios that have a working slave unit such as factory CD changer, separate factory cassette player, or separate single CD player. A CD or cassette must be inserted in the slave unit and playing in order to use the auxiliary input. I got it on eBay for $35 shipped.

More details can be found here:
http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=99&CategoryID=24

I chose to go with this adapter for a few reasons:

1. Maintain the stock appearance of the factory radio.
2. Direct audio input to factory radio for maximum sound quality
3. Comes with a three position switch which allows you to switch between 2 auxiliary inputs and the factory slave unit.
4. Completely plug & play.

Installation:

The most difficult part of the installation is removing the dash panel. It can be a little tricky. Just be patient and take your time. You don’t want to break anything.

First, turn off the passenger airbag if you haven’t done so already. Then, tilt the steering wheel and shifter all the way down and engage the emergency brake.

Next, disconnect the negative battery terminal. You don’t want to blow any fuses, shock yourself, or set off the airbags while you are working behind the dash panel!

Ok, now we need to remove the dash panel. Carefully pull on the upper left corner of the dash panel until the clips are released.

Now, remove the headlight switch box from the lower left corner of the dash panel. I found that if you release the tab behind the dash panel you can push the switch box from the front until it separates from the dash panel. Here you can see the headlight switch box separated from the dash panel.

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Next, pull the upper right corner and the bottom of the dash panel until the clips are released. Just take your time and gently do a different section at a time until the entire dash panel is free. Don’t try and completely pull off the dash panel yet. We still have some connectors to unplug!

Look down into the opening between the dash panel and the dash. You will see an orange tab connected to the yellow passenger airbag connector. This is a locking pin that must be removed before the connector can be unplugged. Here is a picture of what it looks like.

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Remove any other electrical connectors. Here you see the cargo lamp and passenger airbag switches completely removed.

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Now you can remove the dash panel and set it out of the way.

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To remove the radio push down on the arms on each side of the radio and pull it out. Here is what it will look like once the dash panel is removed.

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Remove the factory 9 pin connector from radio and insert the AAI-GM9 male plug in its place. Then, plug the factory 9 pin connector into the AAI-GM9 female connector. You can see where I removed the 9 pin connector from the radio in the picture below.

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Plug the RCA cables from first audio source into the Aux1 input of the AAI-GM9. If there is a second audio source, plug the RCA’s into the Aux2 input on the other side. As you can see below, I chose to use a RCA to mini-jack (white cable) so I can connect it to my iPhone through the headphone jack. You can also see the toggle switch (black wire) that you use to switch between Aux1/CD/Aux2.

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Finally, mount the toggle switch and aux input cable in a suitable location. I just ran the toggle switch to the glove box and the auxilary input cable between the glove box and the ash tray. I store the cable in the ash tray when I'm not using it.

The cable that I used is Dave Navone's N-iPRCA. http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?14&pid=368

It keeps my iPhone charged and provides very good sound quality. I just had to tap into 12v & ground (black & orange wires) for the cable.

While I had the dash panel off I also tapped into the front speakers for a LOC that I will install in the near future (grey, tan, light green, & dark green wires)

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As an added bonus, I was able to slide my iPhone up through the bottom of the cup holder and use it as a mount.

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Overall I am very pleased with the PAC AAI-GM9 & N-iPRCA combo. The sound quality is very good and I still have the option to add another source like satellite radio or possibly even bluetooth to the 2nd aux input.

 

[Southern Pride]

Very nice install and write up my friend. You know, I'm very interested in this because it's very cool and affordable, but I still don't fully understand it or what it does...It's just that I'm not too caught up on the latest electronics, but like you I want to keep the factory interior look but if I can get a better sound through this thing or plug up my phone, that would be badass.

 

[T DOG]

Thank you Sir. This is just an auxilary input. It connects directly to the factory wiring so that you get better sound quality than you would with a fm modulator or one of those adapters that you just pop into your tape deck.

 

[slim]

wow this is awesome! I'm definitely gonna have to do this! I've seen other writeups but it wasn't a simple plug-n-play like this.

 

[Cablguy184]

Very Nice Work Sir ...

 

[T DOG]

Thanks!

 

[///RAGMC]

Nice write up. How do you like SiriusXM on your phone. Im thinking of getting it on my phone and getting rid of my Skifi2

 

[T DOG]

I like it. Ocassionally, the software needs to be reset/updated but it works pretty good. If you add it to an existing SiriusXM account it's only like $2.99 every 3 months or something like that and you don't have to run adapter and antenna. I also really like the Pandora app.

 

[///RAGMC]

I like it. Ocassionally, the software needs to be reset/updated but it works pretty good. If you add it to an existing SiriusXM account it's only like $2.99 every 3 months or something like that and you don't have to run adapter and antenna. I also really like the Pandora app.

Yea Im am a existing subscriber and its like $2.99 been thinking about adding it to my phone to save some money

 

[T DOG]

I think its well worth it. I added XM radio to the Kenwood deck in my Sentra and was paying way more for service. So as soon as I saw the phone app I cancelled that. Plus you can take it with you from car to car or your home.