More Dic Talk.

BigBlueLB756 · May 17, 2010

I am SO disappointed!

truckofwinandawesome · May 17, 2010

dumb question,BUT where can i get a Dic and for how much and will they fit on my 01 Z71? also,they tell me my gas milegae,right?

Sorry Bud, you have a GMT800, and we are talking about the GMT900 DIC. to add the DIC to yours, you're gonna need a LOT of stuff to add it...

Mckenzie · May 17, 2010

dumb question,BUT where can i get a Dic and for how much and will they fit on my 01 Z71? also,they tell me my gas milegae,right?

Sorry Bud, you have a GMT800, and we are talking about the GMT900 DIC. to add the DIC to yours, you're gonna need a LOT of stuff to add it...

so i'll have to figure out my gas mileage the old fashioned way? is there anyway i can get it to tell me what im getting without having to do it the old fashioned way?

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Hey folks.....I'm back to finish this post up as I said I would! I finally got some extra time.

Ok, I know there have been many here that have performed this particular upgrade and Thank you ALL much for the information in the first place that such a thing was possible. As everyone knows, there have been many that did this upgrade, but very few have chosen to modify their existing panel as I decided to do. Most have opted to install the entire panel and switch, but after removing my original panel and discovering that the mount for the switch already existed, I decided to simply try my hand at just cutting the slot.

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Here's the Driver Information Center control switch we have all come to know and love, fresh out da' package from one of our sponsors... OEM Parts Today.

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

I started, of course, by removing my existing panel....again....and gathered up some tools I figured would come in handy.

I thought long and hard about it, but decided to take y'all's advice and left the 7 1/2" side grinder in the shop. Bad as I wanted to try it, I opted for my dremel tool.

For using my dremel tool, I chose a 1/8" 'Roto-Zip' type bits which always seems to do a very good job on plastic without doing much melting. To make absolutely sure I didn't make too big of an initial hole, I slipped a small piece of brass tubing onto the bit and then slipped a small section of 1/4" tubing over that and only left about 3/16" of actual bit showing at the very tip to do the cutting. The tubing sleeve made sure I cut an initial slot that was WAY smaller than I needed. I covered the entire front with masking tape to make sure nothing got scratched and started whittlin' on the panel from the rear, using the mount for the switch as a guide and made me a slot. Then, I started working on the slot with various files, razor blades and exacto knives, scraping, filing and smoothing, stopping on occasion to 'test fit' the switch. As has been mentioned before, if anyone decides to do it this way.......

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!

It's very important to take your time and test fit often. My slot ended up having to be made ever so slightly off center of the actual mounting slot, but during the file/smooth/scrape/test phase of this operation, I was able to get something I am very happy with.

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

How did it all work out......I hear some of you saying.

Well, here is a collage of the screens that WERE available originally in my truck by pressing the Odometer/trip button, as you all know who have ever made this upgrade.....or even if you haven't I suppose.

These are the 'stock' displays.

lsuguy · June 5, 2010

Thanks for the info man. Looks great by the way

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Thank you sir!

Here's what happens with the displays AFTER you install the switch.

Not ONLY are the pictures I show all that becomes available once this switch is installed. Several of the displays I show in the following pictures have more choices within them, but it would have taken quite a bit more time to show them all. Suffice it to say, this is a well worthwhile upgrade!

STINSAN3 · June 5, 2010

I'm glad I had this in my truck already, when I bought it.

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Here's the choices for a button #2 press. Again, there are options within each menu item in many cases. For instance, to reset the "Oil Life" is now a simple press of the 'check mark' button and the resetting of the TPMS is also just a press of a button instead of the old 'remote' way.

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Ok, here's the final set of pictures for this upgrade.

This last button gives the most options and choices of all. Every selection here gives several choices within the selection and I understand there are even MORE options depending on installed equipment in the vehicle! I say "last button", but these pictures only take it down three. The last button is a "check mark"....."acknowledge" button used to acknowledge options and choices and to "reset" options and choices.

As I said, a very worthwhile upgrade whether you order the entire panel/switch combo and simply install it, order the switch and panel seperate and install those....

OR....

DO as I did and modify your existing blank panel and just order the switch.

You'll have several "options" you didn't have before and ALL the ones you did have will be FAR easier to utilise than ever before.

BigBlueLB756 · June 5, 2010

And no bloodstains or band-aids in sight! You give hope to us all. Maybe more plug-and-players will turn into true "modders" after seeing your results. Congrats from BigBlue!

Eagle-1 · June 5, 2010

Thank you Bigblue!

It's really not a tough thing to do as long as you take your time with it. One thing of note, the plastic is a little 'soft'. Be careful as you work that outer edge towards the end as the plastic acts a little funny since it's soft. Almost like it's got an ever so slight rubber coating on the outer surface.....and it may well just have that being an interior panel.

I think it came out fairly well though and ended up costing around the $17.00 mark (+tax, title and license! ).