Can you add rear defrost? Why YES you can........

[diy_darryl]

A lot of folks don't seem to see a reason for rear defrost but I sure do. It has aggravated me for 4 years that I have heated mirrors but can;t see out of my rear window at times. My truck stays outside and my mornings greet me with anything from condensation to snow and ice. Finally tore into it.

 

 

I removed the rear seat and trim in my 2009 Sierra 1500 extended cab WT and found the Rear Defrost Power Connector tucked away in the harness in a rubber boot on the driver's side. Verified it put out 12V when I hit the defrost switch.

 

 

Found that the passenger side was missing the ground pigtail. You can make one for pennies but I wanted it to look factory when done so I ordered the pigtail (p/n 15912210) and two rear defrost Tab Trim pieces (p/n 10375330). These parts are apparently dipped in 24k gold but like I said I wanted FACTORY. LOL After a small discount from my parts guy I was out the door for $54 and some change. Highway robbery but Factory. The new rear window (with defrost) was installed in my driveway by a glass company for $285 plus tax. ($307.66)

 

 

 

There is a grounding stud on the passenger side that the pigtail connects to.

 

 

Passenger side Defrost Tab with trim cover installed. Driver side identical but purple wire.

 

 

DONE! Simple Mod, Factory look. Defrost works great! Not cheap but not too expensive either. If you have been wanting it, now you know it can be done.

 

[Carder09]

I want to say some manufacturers will actually still run all the in's and out's that a higher trim would have, but obviously won't install what what you are not paying for. My wife's Nissan has the two plugs for fog lights if I ever wanted to pop the covers off and snap in some factory lights and a switch. Either way, good to let us know and congrats on the new window!

[montyss]

Great thanks for the heads up

[nickvrebel]

nice work. I know that it's common to have wires ran for other options, but I'm surprised to see it on a W/T model.

[pezboy]

Did you just leave the heated mirror switch in?

[diy_darryl]

Did you just leave the heated mirror switch in?

Yes, it works when you press the heated mirror switch. I think the only thing different than when you have FACTORY rear defrost is that the emblem on the switch is different. Same switch.

[pezboy]

Thanks! I'll be pulling my trim pieces off this weekend and checking for the cables.

[pm26]

My 2006 LT trim Silverado had rear defroster as standard equipment and I am glad I have it. Due to high humidity in Florida I use the defroster quite often, even in the summer. Deleting the rear defroster from later model trucks is a stupid idea. It is a safety device, so why compromise safety for a few bucks? Also, the rear defroster is still available on all trims as a stand alone option, but very few dealers here order it.

[Jonathan M3]

Thanks for verifying this. I just bought a 2013 Sierra SLE and was annoyed it didn't have the rear defroster for the same reasons. I was going to pull apart the back end to check for any prewiring but you saved me the trouble!

[tonyghkbve]

Is this possible to do on an 03-07 GMT800 truck with W/T trim? That's what I have and it doesn't have that option, but then again, I haven't torn into the back yet.

[CapitalTruck]

It's great to know that that's an option. I'm one of those guys that has never had the need though. When I got my first truck I thought I would miss it because I had had it on every sedan I had. However, that straight vertical glass never seems to really have any snow/ice problems. I usually am riding alone in my truck, I guess that's why I never get a lot of fog inside the glass. To be honest, I almost never even use the heated mirrors.

[Malik]

I got a 2013 Chevy 1500, and my back window broke. So when I had it replaced I had safelite replace it with a factory defrost window, in hopes that it is prewired, since my truck didn’t come with a factory defrosted rear window