Post #3, and last I hope.
After you've got everything out and nice and clean, you can install the console. I know that it's pretty much impossible to get a console that has the mounting tabs in perfect condition, so be ready to "finesse" them into place. (Read: hammer, or big hammer, required for installation.)
These are the tabs you have to mess with. You can only get the console in with the seats out, don't even try leaving the seats in, you'll probably hate yourself. I ended up using a samll hammer between the tabs and the mounting studs to pry them into place. When that didn't work, I took out a bigger hammer and beat them into submission.
Once the console is in, your truck should look something like this:
This is what it looks like when in...nothing special. Just put it in and it's there.
After you've got the console in, everything is pretty much reverse of the removal process. Put the seats back in, bolt everything down, admire your work. Here's the installed console with seats:
The console I got was a Bose unit with the rear audio controls. I didn't want to hook it up because I'm too lazy and, most of all, don't want people messing with the radio while I'm driving, but I think it could be done if you really wanted. On the other hand, the cigarette lighters and power plugs connectors snap right in and work fine. This is also true with the power for the glove box light bulb.
Once installed, the bulb that used to reside in the ash tray will be hanging in the middle of nowhere, I just removed the bulb and put it out of the way so the wires won't short and blow a fuse or anything.
Now, you may have heard that installing a 2003+ console in your 99-02 truck will leave a huge 1" gap between the console and the dash. Don't go crying, it's not that bad. I think, it's about 3/8" at most, and I believe you could use the 2003+ dash bezel to cover it up. Someone try it and post the solution.
Here's the gap:
This project took me about an hour and a half, with about 30 minutes going to cleaning the carpet. It's not hard, just about anyone could do it. You should be able to find the consoles on eBay, I got mine for $450 shipped, but I'm pretty sure they can go for less.
Any questions, just post away.
Oh yeah, and the colors don't match. Even though GM calls both generations Pewter or Dark Charcoal, they're slightly different, I can live with it...it's pretty hard to tell the difference without a good amount of light on the pieces.
Thanks...c'mon, sticky!