Oh and by the way, did I mention that we are doing a group buy for high ouput alternators and that I want you all to get in on it? Yeah?.... Ok..... sorry...

the only way to keep your steering wheel controls is with a PAC-SWI-X which i hate to break it to you is another expense......

i do not know if anyone has ever installed one in an 00+, so maybe you should aska round before you go and buy one

I've installed one. Let us know which headunit you go with because some can be hard-wired instead for a more reliable signal/connection. Depending on the headunit, you can go with either the SWI-X, or the SWI-ALP (which I use). Either way, the signal wire for the steering wheel controls is under the steering column in a 40-pin connector. The wire you're looking for is in pin D8, and it is a dark blue color. If you want to use the switched ignition power at the steering colum (on the same wire harness as the steering wheel control signal), that is a yellow wire on PIN A3.

this is a link to the SWI-X which is more universal than the SWI-ALP. (only a handful of units are supported on the SWI-ALP.)
http://www.crutchfield.com/*-KrOrVb7...%2Dx&i=127SWIX

wheres the closest red ignition wire that i could run to an aftermarket?

I posted auction links to exactly what parts you need, and probably near the best prices you can get them for.

...the kicker about the SWI-ALP...doesn't emulate the Source button on Alpine HUs, but will for Kenwood and JVC, go fig.