Swapping Center Console For Jump Seat

[szach6]

Hey all,

 

I've read various past posts on the subject of swapping the center console out and installing the jump seat. Am really wondering what kind of a job it is and how much of the truck has to be ripped into.

Looking at taking the center console out of a 2004 GMC Sierra SLT. It is the console with the radio controls for the rear passengers and the air ducts going thru the console. According to some of the older posts it didn't sound all to difficult but after talking to the service man at a truck lot today it sounded really difficult and not recommended. It only has to be that way for the summer and not permanently.

I could really use all the advice possible before going ahead with it.

Thanks.

Scott

[jrrod2004]

Hey all,

 

I've read various past posts on the subject of swapping the center console out and installing the jump seat. Am really wondering what kind of a job it is and how much of the truck has to be ripped into.

Looking at taking the center console out of a 2004 GMC Sierra SLT. It is the console with the radio controls for the rear passengers and the air ducts going thru the console. According to some of the older posts it didn't sound all to difficult but after talking to the service man at a truck lot today it sounded really difficult and not recommended. It only has to be that way for the summer and not permanently.

I could really use all the advice possible before going ahead with it.

Thanks.

Scott

 

 

Dealership is partially correct. The only thing that you would have to deal with would be the airbox blowing air out at you on the original duct work. you would have to get the CJ3 module kit that "closes" up this hole.

 

This is what I am referring to:

 

 

as you can see, where the black case in the picture arches up to the dash, yours would have a hole here and this entire case has to be replaced to seal up the HVAC system. That is the problem that the dealership is referring to. You have to tear apart most of the dash to get the case out and get the new one (sealed like mine) in. Not a HARD process, only time consuming. I still have yet to replace my airbox because of this. I did swap out the console and jump seat fairly easy. I did a writeup of the process but didnt have to worry about the harness as I "stripped" the floor console from its speaker, amp and harness. Yours would be a matter of disconnecting the harness and taping the harness to the dash so it does not rattle. The floor console's harness is one big fat one, simply tape that one to the console where it cannot be nicked. Simply unbolt and swap at the end of the day. Make sure to store your console in a safe place.

[szach6]

Thanks M Cueva,

 

He also said something about having to rip up carpet and the holes wouldn't line up and, well, you get the idea. Couldn't the ductwork just be closed up temporarily? I want the console back in after summer. And really, do the holes line up on the seat legs or not?

 

Thanks again

Scott

[jrrod2004]

Thanks M Cueva,

 

He also said something about having to rip up carpet and the holes wouldn't line up and, well, you get the idea. Couldn't the ductwork just be closed up temporarily? I want the console back in after summer. And really, do the holes line up on the seat legs or not?

 

Thanks again

Scott

 

 

Yeah, all the seat holes bolts line up. Here was my swap and more or less how I did it: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101227

 

I plan to rip out the console here in several weeks (more modding and I may need the extra room) so I might actually do a complete writeup then.

 

A note: The "legs" of the console may have to be bent very slighly to seat properly under the seat "legs":

 

 

 

one thing that I noticed this morning that you didnt mention: Do you have the glovebox piece that matches the floor console that you have?

 

Edit: I also just saw that you had a 2500. I have heard of several guys doing the swap from a 1500 to a 2500. The only thing I would worry about is the center hump height, though it maybe of no consequence. A quick tape measure should confirm it.

[nickvrebel]

I went the opposite way with my old truck. here's a link to some pics:

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Nic...console%20swap/

you have to take care of the Bose Amp, a/c ductwork, and lower dash panel (one piece from passenger side connecting to the middle).

being I was installing the console I just cut my dash panel and it lined up nice with the center console.

[jrrod2004]

I went the opposite way with my old truck. here's a link to some pics:

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Nic...console%20swap/

you have to take care of the Bose Amp, a/c ductwork, and lower dash panel (one piece from passenger side connecting to the middle).

being I was installing the console I just cut my dash panel and it lined up nice with the center console.

 

 

Thats one way of doing it...I cant say that I have actually seen someone cut the dash panel before. It looks pretty nice (without the closeup inspection).

[davzog]

I also went the opposite way, going from a jump seat to the console...not a hard job at all. The front seats come out (2 bolts in front and two in back, plus any electrical connections). Once the seats are out, the console and the jump seat both mount on the seat studs next to the tranny hump, underneath where the seat brackets were.

 

When I removed the jump seat it just lifterd out. Installing the console was a bit of a chore because the dash is involved. After you remove your console, you will have a gap on the bottom of the dash and a new glove box door surround.

 

I removed the ashtray at the bottom of the console (you will have to put one in), and I carefully cut the glovebox door surround and trimmed it to allow the console to fit....probably the longest part of the job (trim and test-fit, trim and test-fit, etc). Come out like a factory job....

 

Going the other way should be a peice of cake...remove the console, install the jump seat (fits right in on the floor studs), re-install the seats, and you have to finish the dash....easy!!!

[szach6]

Thanks guys. I checked out the links you've posted and was very impressed. Nice job. I'm sure I will have lots

of questions when I actually get at the job. Now I just have to find a nice tan jump seat. Am checking ebay later.

 

Thanks again

Scott

[nickvrebel]

I went the opposite way with my old truck. here's a link to some pics:

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Nic...console%20swap/

you have to take care of the Bose Amp, a/c ductwork, and lower dash panel (one piece from passenger side connecting to the middle).

being I was installing the console I just cut my dash panel and it lined up nice with the center console.

 

 

Thats one way of doing it...I cant say that I have actually seen someone cut the dash panel before. It looks pretty nice (without the closeup inspection).

 

 

yeah, the close up pics show some imperfections, but they were actually taken after the first cut (I used a jigsaw, kinda crude but it worked). After that I went back and cleaned it up. Final product looked better than a friend who had a factory console installed.

[Chuckster7]

Scott, not sure where your located but check schram auto parts out in Michigan. I know I saw a tan jump seat in their warehouse outside detroit when I was there 2 weeks ago. Heck man it was like a supermarket of GMC&Chevy parts!!!

 

Check out www.schramauto.com

 

Call and ask for Blake, he was great to work with and made me a heck of a deal on front seats and a console for my truck. I'd bet he's still making deals as he had a bunch of trucks still coming in for tear down. And ask about the glove box cover and I bet they'd have it also for the non console type truck.

[luweee]

Hey guys I want to remove my Console and install a jump seat. what parts do I need besides the jumpseat? is this easier than going the other direction?

M cuerva you put in a console right? going the opposite easier???

[szach6]

Guys.

I finally got at the job of ripping out the seats and putting in the jumpseat. That part was easy. Now I'm left with a center console with a speaker and amplifier still in. What am I suppose to do with those. Yes. the amp. is pretty important if I want to listen to the radio. I am not sure where it would fit in if I take it out of the console.

Could really use some advise on this. thanks in advance.

 

Scott

[nickvrebel]

of course you will have to do without the speaker, but I don't know what to do about the amp. I went the opposite way so I didn't have an amp to deal deal with. would it fit under the jump seat?

[szach6]

I looked at that. I'm sure that GM must have used the Bose system without the console but I need to find where everything is located. The problem is the darn harness that hooks to the speaker, amp., radio controls and power outlets. Arghhhhhh.

 

Scott

[MS3DALE]

I'm sure that GM must have used the Bose system without the console

 

Nope,Bucket seats/console are required for BOSE.