2014 GMC SLT Newbie in NW Florida

[tech549]

Hello everyone,

 

My name is David and my new ride is a 2014 GMC SLT that I am very pleased with at just past 500 miles. I have read many great articles in this forum over the past few months as I have been evaluating new trucks. The SLT won me over after a lot of research and comparisons.

 

I am leaving a 2006 Lariat that is a good truck, but can not compete with the GM line up at this time. I contemplated waiting on the new aluminum body F150 in the fall, but the more I looked at the GMC the more I realized this was for me. I have been very impressed with the ride and build quality with the caveat that I have barely 500 miles so far!!

 

I love to tinker and did most all of my own maintenance until career and family left me little time to stay proficient. I am hoping to get back in that mode with the new toy. I really appreciate all of you that take time to post your how-to projects and ideas. I am impressed with the number of detailed instructions and pictures that folks post as well. That really helps.

 

Have a great weekend all!!

David

[Russellz71]

Hi David.....I have a new Z71......I am having a real battle with GM about the silly way the RVC cord has to be detached underneath in order to remove the tailgate....stupid and dirty work .......I propose to cut the cord at the truck transom where it is visible at the tailgate and put in a splice....I got one reply that was helpful......what do you think. You said you were a tinkerer..... thx Rz71......have you seen this

[tech549]

Interesting!! I have not gotten to that place yet so this is good info. I will have to take a look at my configuration this weekend and get back to you. I would say it depends on how GM designed the system. The voltage +/- cables are no problem but some cables that carry video signals can get cranky if you cut them and try to splice. Anything that changes the impedance of the cable can affect the picture quality.

 

I agree that it sounds like the design could be better and have accounted for taking the TG off. I have this theory, that if car companies made ALL of their engineers work as mechanics for 3 years BEFORE they are allowed to design, our beloved vehicles would be a much greater value!!

[Russellz71]

When you have a look underneath you will find that the video cable has a plug.....on the frame where it can be disconnected in order to remove the tailgate, by feeding the cable out the transom hole at the tailgate .....so the cable can be broken so to speak and have a plug....I am a retired financial guy so I speak with no authority what so ever....but logic says to me if the cable can have a separation/plug at one point one should be able to fit a similar fitting at an other point along the cable......which for me I suggest be at the transom and tailgate intersection......to avoid the dirty job described previously.....look forward to your conclusion/solution........Rz71

[hodges25]

Welcome from Navarre

[tech549]

Good afternoon … sorry for the lag in response. Life happens!! I finally had a chance to play and you are correct about the plug from the tailgate to the rear most cross-member. Not where I would have put it but these are our cards!

 

My plan is to try and obtain a male and female plug combination to simply extend the disconnect point rather than cut the existing cable. This would allow us to put everything back to factory specs if we ever needed to. I have not yet had time to isolate the exact part number of the GM plug and receptacle but the links below look promising. These links look to be a gold mine for GM type connectors and if nothing else a fantastic reference guide. I have not been able to unplug mine and try to see if there are any part numbers on the plug just yet so if anyone has done that part please let us know.

 

http://www.repairconnector.com/

 

http://www.delcity.net/store/Wire-Connectors-&-Quick-Splices/r_IS1028?mkwid=sS973FozD&crid=16119873389&mp_kw=gm%20connectors&mp_mt=e&gclid=CjgKEAjwtZucBRD77aiiq_v4xnASJABkAg8J3iFA8snpqQ8yhohEnbuzjDs5TwQh9uvz8LbPfEm4sfD_BwE

 

http://theelectricaldepot.com/index.php?cPath=7

Cheers David