upgrading head unit

[puccetti]

Hi,

I want to upgrade my head unit with a factory honda one. I have a 2003 Pilot with NAV and want to upgrade it with a unit with XM I think it would be 2006 to 2008. Can I just do a swap and activate the XM or should I look after market? We just had our XM unit stolen from the car this weekend and Like the idea of a factory radio.

Thanks

[cwa107]

It's not just the head unit, you also need an antenna. In the factory Honda setups, that is usually roof mounted and body color matched.

Honda did offer a dealer-installed XM kit for that year Pilot, but it's hideously expensive:

Honda Pilot Accessories - Electronic Accessories - Genuine Factory Honda Accessories

To be honest, you're probably better off just going with an aftermarket XM radio. I'm amazed that a thief would steal something that is subscription based (i.e. you report it stolen and the unit is worthless), but I guess there's idiots who will take anything.

[puccetti]

With the aftermarket unit I had installed there is an antenna that is mounted on the roof. So knowing that what do you think if I find a head unit on Ebay from an 06 to 08. Do you think that will work with the older 2003 NAV system? If not I will get another aftermarket one.

thanks again

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by puccetti

With the aftermarket unit I had installed there is an antenna that is mounted on the roof. So knowing that what do you think if I find a head unit on Ebay from an 06 to 08. Do you think that will work with the older 2003 NAV system? If not I will get another aftermarket one.

thanks again

Just a guess, but I'd imagine with some wiring diagrams, you might be able to splice that antenna into the wiring harness. But I doubt it would be a simple job, not only finding the information, but also adapting the 06-08 head unit to the 03-05 harness. I'd be shocked if they were identical.