Let's install the "upfitter switches"

Bozzi · December 12, 2024

On 4/25/2021 at 4:34 AM, Transient said:

Check the plug where the cable that came through the firewall is connected. If not in far enough, or in the wrong slot when you plugged it into the provided receptacle then you could be experiencing what you described. I had a similar issue with mine, and that's where the problem was. Installer error.

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I did the install and have mounted and wired my Diode Dynamics SS3 fog lights into the Upfitter switch on my 2022 Silverado 2500 custom. It has a simple wire that runs into the cab and connects to the upfitter switch. I can't seem to get the lights to turn on with the upfitter switch but they do come on when I use the switch the wiring harness came with. Any ideas?? The upfitter switches light up when I turn the truck on and it appears that they have power.

PBNB · December 12, 2024

I am considering using my SS6 Diode Fog Lights as well. I haven't figured out where to mount them. How does the SS3 look? Do these fit in the same spot as the OE fogs? Any pics to share?

I was looking at the wiring and the way the upfitter system works, I think it powers all the relays etc that the Diode kit would provide. If you pick one of the wires and run that directly to the light positive, I think that should give you power and you will need to ground the negative. I think it should be that simple. Just need to make sure that you have the positive and negative correct on the lights since these are LED's.

If Diode makes a direct swap kit (I think they make one for GM's), like the ones I got for my Tundra, they are simply plug and play and would work off the fog light switch.

Bozzi · December 18, 2024

On 12/12/2024 at 9:23 AM, PBNB said:

I am considering using my SS6 Diode Fog Lights as well. I haven't figured out where to mount them. How does the SS3 look? Do these fit in the same spot as the OE fogs? Any pics to share?

I was looking at the wiring and the way the upfitter system works, I think it powers all the relays etc that the Diode kit would provide. If you pick one of the wires and run that directly to the light positive, I think that should give you power and you will need to ground the negative. I think it should be that simple. Just need to make sure that you have the positive and negative correct on the lights since these are LED's.

If Diode makes a direct swap kit (I think they make one for GM's), like the ones I got for my Tundra, they are simply plug and play and would work off the fog light switch.

The SS3s look really good. Diode made a bracket that swapped out the original fog lights/cover that GM had installed on my truck since it did not come with fog lights. The diagram that I was given shows that the wire harness right is wired right into the switch and it should all work from there. I don't have pictures yet but can get some in the next day or so. This is the wiring kit that I bought to wire into the upfitter switches.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/heavy-duty-dual-output-offroad-wiring-harness.html

PBNB · December 18, 2024

12 hours ago, Bozzi said:

The SS3s look really good. Diode made a bracket that swapped out the original fog lights/cover that GM had installed on my truck since it did not come with fog lights. The diagram that I was given shows that the wire harness right is wired right into the switch and it should all work from there. I don't have pictures yet but can get some in the next day or so. This is the wiring kit that I bought to wire into the upfitter switches.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/heavy-duty-dual-output-offroad-wiring-harness.html

I have been looking for locations where I can tuck my SS6 fogs in. I think I can squeeze them in between the tow hooks and the OE fog lights. I would wire them by running a 14g x 2 wire from one the the other than take that and run it up to the engine bay and ground one to the chassis and run the other to into the cab and connect it to the upfitter wire for one of the switches. It looks like the relays and fuses are built into the little fuse block that comes from GM.

This kit does seem to offer ease of use when it comes to wiring. It would have been nice to tap into the 4 wires from the engine bay rather than running the extra wires into the cab. I might just run them back out through the same grommet when I install my kit. Then I can tag into them all from the engine bay. I am going to use AUX 5 for my dash camera.

Looking forward to seeing the pics of your SS3's!

Bozzi · December 23, 2024

On 12/18/2024 at 10:01 AM, PBNB said:

I have been looking for locations where I can tuck my SS6 fogs in. I think I can squeeze them in between the tow hooks and the OE fog lights. I would wire them by running a 14g x 2 wire from one the the other than take that and run it up to the engine bay and ground one to the chassis and run the other to into the cab and connect it to the upfitter wire for one of the switches. It looks like the relays and fuses are built into the little fuse block that comes from GM.

This kit does seem to offer ease of use when it comes to wiring. It would have been nice to tap into the 4 wires from the engine bay rather than running the extra wires into the cab. I might just run them back out through the same grommet when I install my kit. Then I can tag into them all from the engine bay. I am going to use AUX 5 for my dash camera.

Looking forward to seeing the pics of your SS3's!

I finally figured out the cause for the lights not working. The power cable that runs from the battery to the wiring harness in the cab was not plugged in all the way. The little block that GM gave to go over that power cable was not completely going in and caused the cable to not give power to the switches. Once I got the cable plugged all the way in the lights came right on. Here they are on the truck.

PBNB · December 23, 2024

Those look great and I expect that they are very bright!. I hope to find a bit of down time over the holidays to get mine installed.

64BAwagon · April 30, 2025

I am in the middle of the upfitter switch install and came across something changed on my 2025. The pass through for the wiring has changed and is now white plastic rather than the rubber. Instead of cutting a slit in the rubber the new part requires drilling. Since there is very limited space on most trucks, especially the diesels, you will need a small 90 degree drill with a stubby drill bit. I am sure the upfitters are excited about things being updated and made more difficult.

Chuck FB · May 2, 2025

Since the dealer installed the wiring harness before I even knew that the sales guy was going to tell them to install it, I never got to see what the harness even looked like as per the portion that is on the inside of the cab. All I have seen so far is that it appears they must have drilled a hole below the steering shaft on the white plastic and if that sounds right, it enters below the line of the felt in the cab so I can't see where it goes, in the engine bay it was run along with the other loom along the firewall to the main battery and I assume that is an added buss bar with the 100 amp fuse/lug and the 60 amp fuse that this harness attaches to . I haven't studied under the dash enough to see where the fuse block that comes with these upfitter kits even is located. All I can say is when I hit any of the five buttons the amber light comes on for the switch. Sad, because I have no idea as of yet in how to take the console apart or whatever has to come apart to get to the switches to run wires from them and then what as per GM's idea to route wires back out of the firewall ?.

rjgvt · May 3, 2025

@64BAwagon

My 24 has the white connector. I ran wiring in through the bottom of the white connector to get 12v in the cab for a socket. There was a rubber nub on the inside behind the firewall insulation. I drilled though the feedthrough and removed the nub. Maybe this will help.

Edited May 3, 2025 by rjgvt

AndrewF · May 4, 2025

On 4/30/2025 at 5:41 PM, 64BAwagon said:

I am in the middle of the upfitter switch install and came across something changed on my 2025. The pass through for the wiring has changed and is now white plastic rather than the rubber. Instead of cutting a slit in the rubber the new part requires drilling. Since there is very limited space on most trucks, especially the diesels, you will need a small 90 degree drill with a stubby drill bit. I am sure the upfitters are excited about things being updated and made more difficult.

This has been on my list to do for my 24. I don’t recall seeing needing to drill through in the upfitter instructions but I’ll have to look again.

64BAwagon · May 4, 2025

The change in the pass through was done sometime before the 2025 models and the upfitters had to change the method of routing the wires from inside to out.

The directions I got and the explanation came directly from someone who works in the industry.

I added a 12v cig plug and two extra USB outlets on my 2024. I pulled power from the fuse panel of the right side of the dash. I used a add on 10a fuse on a battery on circuit. The issue with my current truck is that the space that the plugs occupied in my 2024 is now taken up by the upfitter switches. I ended up with just the cig plug and its down low in the lowest trim panel.

Edited May 4, 2025 by 64BAwagon

PBNB · May 10, 2025

I just put my kit in my '23 3500. The kit is well built now the switches light up. Newer trucks seem to have a different firewall application.

The hardest part was reaching the nub to cut it and also when feeding the wire through. It got caught on something inside the truck like the padding. After a few tries, I got it past the material and the was able to connect it. I was laying on-top of the engine to reach the nub!

I was also fortunate to already have the buttons installed on the kick panel so I didn't need to take the entire dash apart, just the side.

Chuck FB · May 10, 2025

44 minutes ago, PBNB said:

I just put my kit in my '23 3500. The kit is well built now the switches light up. Newer trucks seem to have a different firewall application.

The hardest part was reaching the nub to cut it and also when feeding the wire through. It got caught on something inside the truck like the padding. After a few tries, I got it past the material and the was able to connect it. I was laying on-top of the engine to reach the nub!

I was also fortunate to already have the buttons installed on the kick panel so I didn't need to take the entire dash apart, just the side.

Your buttons are on the left side of the steering wheel on that lower pannel, correct ?. The 2024 higher models Chev refresh with the center console is on the lower area of that center console and I haven't looked into how complicated it is to remove console pieces etc to gain access to the backside of the switches, its certainly very different from the prior interior design.

PBNB · May 10, 2025

41 minutes ago, Chuck FB said:

Your buttons are on the left side of the steering wheel on that lower pannel, correct ?. The 2024 higher models Chev refresh with the center console is on the lower area of that center console and I haven't looked into how complicated it is to remove console pieces etc to gain access to the backside of the switches, its certainly very different from the prior interior design.

Yes, on the left below the steering wheel.

I know they changed the position in the newer trucks and that looks like a very big job!

I have been sitting on my kit for about 5 months and it was easier than most. I don’t know if I would want to pull all the interior panels off for this kit.