Just added steering wheel controls to my 08 Silverado LS

[08lt]

Hey there.... I have been reading about the few ways to add steering wheel controls to the 07 up Silverado and have found what might be one of the easier ways to do it. (Besides buying a wheel... ) I was reading in some of the other threads that you can't buy the steering wheel wiring harness by itself. Well, I have done some digging and have found it. It is a little different but works great. Here are a couple of photos of the 2 wiring harnesses... This being the original. and this being the new one. And the 2 plugs side by side. The old one on the left and the new one on the right. I know some of the colors are different in the wires but they go to the same places. And here is the control pod that I ordered. I must say the hardest part of this project was cutting the steering wheel shroud for the switch pod. (I also did not disconnect the airbag or remove the steering wheel.... ) After removing the airbag from the wheel you have this... Remove the 4 Torx (T-30) screws from the horn basket and remove the basket. And now remove the wiring harness. Next you will want to mount the new switches to the wheel cover. (Also separate the 2 halves. It will make the next step easier) The next step will be to trim the steering when shroud. go slow and take small chunks out till the switch fits nice. before adding the new wiring harness you need to change one connector. the brown wire has the wrong sex connector on it. It has a male and needs to be female. change it and extend it 2 or 3 inches. Now you can add the new harness to the steering wheel. install the horn basket and re-install the rest.... Bah Bam!!!! You now have steering wheel Audio controls!!! And here are the part numbers that you need.... 25889498 is the wiring harness and 25851951 is for the controls..... Have fun!! (Next I will be adding the controller for my aftermarket radio to use the steering wheel controls.... )

[Dmas]

great job and very good write up

[kstruckcountry]

Nice!

[08lt]

Thanks... I never thought I would enjoy having them as much. But I do. (I added the PAC Adaptor for my pioneer head unit and it works like a champ!)

[mdun71]

This is great. Im going to order today. Where did you get the replacement connector?

[08lt]

Got everything from autoway chevrolet. (I work in a bodyshop and thats who we get our GM aprts from. ) Seeing that you have a 2010 you might want to pull your airbag and see if it is pre-wired...

Edited January 23, 2013 by 08lt

[67z400]

Great write up. I recently completed this mod and it works great. Please note, I used a different harness that required NO modifications. I have a 08 LT silverado and found a harness that was a direct plug-in. The part number used was 25776048.

[mike94silverado]

Nice! I did the wheel mod in my 11 but this would have worked too and been cheaper..... the grey leather got nasty and I couldn't keep it clean

[SpecRacerDriver]

Did you do this without removing the steering wheel? Do you have any pics of where and how you did the trimming? Thank you for providing great info. I was hesitant about taking things apart without any chance of making things work. You did disconnect the battery first and let the air bag system bleed off power for 10 mins. didn't you?

[SpecRacerDriver]

 

 

 

Received my new Original Equipment Steering wheel today. Ordered it from Ebay/JJ Original Equipment in Dallas, Texas. Opened the box and everything looked great. It is equipped with cruise control and radio controls. Went out and disconnected the battery for 20 min. Removed the Air Bag. popped off the old steering wheel. Installed the new steering wheel. replaced the Air Bag. hooked up the battery. Turned on the radio, and just like everyone I have asked or responded to my cries for help, the controls work just like they are suppose to. Thank you all for your help. Install time, 40 minutes including the 20 minute wait for the Air Bag system to discharge. Steering wheel cost, $119.00. After I recover for this cost I will be ordering a Costar Blue Star unit to replace my Over Priced on board GM cell phone.

[Arejaye]

Hey guys quick question. If I buy a new steering wheel do I still need to order the wiring harness? Thinking of going this route instead of cutting the shroud. I tend to rush things and hack!

[Gurrzt]

Very nice and clean job.

[Arejaye]

Received my new Original Equipment Steering wheel today. Ordered it from Ebay/JJ Original Equipment in Dallas, Texas. Opened the box and everything looked great. It is equipped with cruise control and radio controls. Went out and disconnected the battery for 20 min. Removed the Air Bag. popped off the old steering wheel. Installed the new steering wheel. replaced the Air Bag. hooked up the battery. Turned on the radio, and just like everyone I have asked or responded to my cries for help, the controls work just like they are suppose to. Thank you all for your help. Install time, 40 minutes including the 20 minute wait for the Air Bag system to discharge. Steering wheel cost, $119.00. After I recover for this cost I will be ordering a Costar Blue Star unit to replace my Over Priced on board GM cell phone.

If I buy a new steering wheel do I still need to order the wiring harness? Thinking of going this route instead of cutting the shroud.

[SpecRacerDriver]

I did not need any additional wiring harness. The steering wheel came equipped with all wiring needed as long as you order the one equipped with the radio controls. The harness is only needed when you are converting your existing steering wheel and adding the radio controls to it.

[ceejay]

On 8/25/2015 at 9:34 PM, Arejaye said:

Hey guys quick question. If I buy a new steering wheel do I still need to order the wiring harness? Thinking of going this route instead of cutting the shroud. I tend to rush things and hack!

i think if the wheel you buy has the radio control harness it will be plug and play