Jump to content

Kit is installed

Shaners

Recommended Posts

chevy4x4trucks Senior Enthusiast

chevy4x4trucks

Posted
Posted

Well you guys wanted the pics of the install and to know how it went and here goes.  I'll throw a few pics on here, but I've got a bunch more pics and info on my site, I figure there's no sense in reposting it all.   But, the kit worked great, no problems at all and IMO it looks good too.  I'm still reaching for the volume knob, but now I'm starting to use the controls more.  The control the radio and the cd player, not sure about the tape deck since I haven't tried it.  But, the install was great and I had it all done in about 3 and a half hours, mainly becuase I was taking pics and painted some more dash pieces.  Right now I have the back of the wheel black and the two pieces that go around the steering column.  Later this week I'm going to paint the bezel and the middle piece on the center console black.  I decided not to leave them textured, it looks good that way.  Well here are some pics and if you want more info and some painting instructions click on the link to my site.

 

1000013263_122200125014AM0.6611139.jpg

1000013263_122200125014AM0.3361126.jpg

1000013263_122200125014AM0.5968068.jpg

EDZ Z71 Enthusiast

EDZ Z71

Posted
Posted

This is something that the Silverado has needed for a long long time. That looks good on your truck. I think I would like to do this to my truck, where did you come up with kit and how much cabbage is it gonna set me back if I decide to do it?

 

Keep up the good work.

chevy4x4trucks Senior Enthusiast

chevy4x4trucks

Posted
Posted

I actually didn't make the kit, just the first one to use it.  Jason Pendlum of JPcustoms.com made up the kit and a few other ones.  It's only 150 dollars which seems like a lot, but it's a really nice kit and works very well.

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Looks good Jon  :D

 

I'd like to have that kit on my truck, but it won't be for awhile.  I'm just too busy at the moment to get involved in a big project.  Although 3 1/2 hours isn't really that bad...

 

Hmm...  maybe I should order it!!!

Kansas Kid Senior Enthusiast

Kansas Kid

Posted
Posted

Looks like a pretty high quality kit to me, just looks like it belongs there.  Can't say that about alot of the stuff I've seen people do to their trucks.  I imagine its alot easier to use then reaching for the controls, atleast once you get used to it.

Jpshostr Senior Enthusiast

Jpshostr

Posted
Posted

Having audio controls on the dash is about the only thing I like more about my Grand Prix than any trucks I've seen.  This kit looks like it works pretty well, but installation would scare me.  Can an electronic moron handle it?

 

Then again, I don't know if it would be a good idea, I drive plenty of people crazy when they are riding with me and I constantly switch radio stations.  Now with the controls on the wheel its gotten worse.

Kansas Kid Senior Enthusiast

Kansas Kid

Posted
Posted
This kit looks like it works pretty well, but installation would scare me.  Can an electronic moron handle it?

I think I could handle the electronics part, but what about getting the steering wheel off?  Seems like with the airbag it might be a tedious (sp) thing...

 

Then again, I don't know if it would be a good idea, I drive plenty of people crazy when they are riding with me and I constantly switch radio stations.  Now with the controls on the wheel its gotten worse.

 

You sound like me.  I change my radio stations all the time when driving.  No way I'm going to listen to a song I can't stand.  I'm sure this would make me change stations every song.  LOL

chevy4x4trucks Senior Enthusiast

chevy4x4trucks

Posted
Posted

I was a bit apprehensive about the removal of the wheel and air bag, but that took maybe a half hour of the install.  The air bag is held on by two clips and pops off very easily.  And the steering wheel can be removed w/ a steering wheel puller.  It's not really as complicated as it seems.  If you look at the third pic I posted on the left middle of the air bag there is a metal spike poking out and a matching one on the other side, those are the clips that hold it in and you just pop those w/ a flathead screwdriver and the air bag will release.  

 

As for the wiring part, you just plug in the controls to the new harness and the 4 wires that connect to your radio are simple.  You do 3 of them w/ a wire splice and the other one plugs into the stereo harness.  It doesn't really take much wiring at all and I don't have a lot of wiring experience, but it seemed very simple, I think my little sister could do it (not that I'd let her).  It's all just taking your time and laying things out carefully.

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Looks like a pretty high quality kit to me, just looks like it belongs there.  Can't say that about alot of the stuff I've seen people do to their trucks.  I imagine its alot easier to use then reaching for the controls, atleast once you get used to it.

Kyle I believe that is the factory GM part for the Denali and Escalade

brmiller Enthusiast

brmiller

Posted
Posted

chevy4x4:  Awesome!  Nice kit!  Me wants one.

 

Serious, I told my wife, "Yeah, and he took the airbag off and everything!" :D  That was the first thing I thought of when I saw your post, but glad it all worked out fine and was straight-forward.  I guess I've only heard airbag horror stories when it comes to aftermarket or "user-servicing".

 

Brendan

djames Enthusiast

djames

Posted
Posted

With the Av's and the Silverado having the same interior, I'm guessing these are compatable?  And I'm guessing this project would come with full instructions for us idiots that don't own our own shop?  Who do we need to contact to pick one of these bad boys up? :D

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
  • Author
Posted
With the Av's and the Silverado having the same interior, I'm guessing these are compatable?  And I'm guessing this project would come with full instructions for us idiots that don't own our own shop?  Who do we need to contact to pick one of these bad boys up? :D

Here is where you get one...

 

JPCustoms

chevy4x4trucks Senior Enthusiast

chevy4x4trucks

Posted
Posted

Yeah, it's about a 20 page instruction book that comes w/ it and everything you need (except tools) is included.  I would email jason pendlum about the Avy to be on the safe side, but I think it would work.  Yes, these are the controls that come off of the Cadillac Escalade and since our trucks are pretty much interchangable that's why they can be integrated into the silverado's.  They are nice to have.  The only times that I touch the radio now is to switch from cd to radio or vice versa.  

 

Removing the air bag was actually no big deal and I was a little worried at first, but the more I looked at the instructions I gained confidence in what I was doing.  Hey, if any of you are around Milwaukee, I'd be glad to help you put it in.  It was actually a lot of fun.  I had one of my buddies helping me with it, just putting parts on the workbench and handing me tools, reading instructions.  But, it looks like it could be done w/ just one person.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      Gas Prices

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I like things to be more nailed down. For instance. People ask why my father left a multi million dollar business in NJ in the seventies and started over in Texas. The answer is simple, payola, threats and quality of life. He didn’t like the game. And he didn’t want his kids to be wrapped up in that mess. That’s nailed down no guessing. 
    • KARNUT
      OCI, not when but why?

      By KARNUT · Posted

      So any kind of deviation is not permitted. Even if it manages to touch on Oils Chain intervals only if, it addresses your latest threat. Boring.😴 
    • Jus Cruisin
      Tonneau cover that does not leak water

      By Jus Cruisin · Posted

      The tailgate of pickups is not designed to be water tight. There are seal kits for them but I doubt they work effectively. But, I've not tried them. I always have hard folding tonneau covers and the BakFlip brand has been my favorite. And, for the most part, the bed stays dry. I would invest in some bins that can be closed to better protect sensitive stuff. 
    • parthery
      Tonneau cover that does not leak water

      By parthery · Posted

      A properly installed tonneau will keep out 95% of the water.  As others have said, the only way to be completely dry is to either get a topper or an SUV.   I've run virtually all the trifolds and hard rolling that are out there.  My thoughts:   1.)  The leak points of any cover will be the front corners, and around the tailgate.   They will also leak if the rails are not installed properly.  If you take a electric/cordless ratchet and snug down the clamps, you run the risk of overtightening which causes the rails to sag.  When the rails sag it creates a gap between the rail and the bed cap and this lets water in.   2.)  Different manufacturers use different methods to try and seal the front.  The "driest" setup is probably the Leer HF650M, which uses double seals all the way around and doesn't require a foam seal across the front edge of the bed.  The Realtruck trifold covers (Bak, Undercover, Gator, etc...) all use a foam seal across the front, and drain tubes.   3.)  Realtruck has standardized the way that the cover attaches to the rail.  With the exception of the Extang Endure ALX, all other Realtruck covers use a plastic clamp which slides into a channel, hooks onto the edge of the rail, and tightens down. The "Realtruck Advantage" covers sold by GM dealers as an OEM accessory still use the "bolt through the panel" installation method.  Problem with these is over time, water gets past the rubber seal, into the panel, and once they become waterlogged they begin to delaminate (and weigh a ton.)   4.)  Unless you are using GM Rewards points, buy your cover separately.  Realtruck offers a 5 year warranty on BAK, Undercover and Extang covers.  Gators get either a 2 or 3 year warranty.  If you have an issue, they are much easier to deal with.  If you have an issue with an OEM GM cover, you have to go through the service department and GM Warranty processes to get it taken care of.   Recommendations based on my experience:   Hard folding:   1.)  Undercover Ultra/Armor Flex (identical except Ultra has carpet on the underside and a smooth finish.  Armor has no carpet but has a Line-X coating on the outside.) 2.)  Leer HF650M.  Has 4 panels instead of 3.  Double seals to keep the water out.  Downside is only a 3 year warranty and warranty only honored if you purchase from a Leer dealer.  If you have your dealer install it or buy off Amazon they won't warranty it. 3.)  Bak MX4.  They sell a ton of them.  A good cover for the money when you can find one on sale.  About to be redesigned to include a spring to ease opening and closing. (Supposed to be released 7/26.  Bak MX4 EZ-Lift)   Hard rolling:   Bak Revolver X4S or X4TS (has t-slot rails.)  Personal favorite and the one I use on my truck.  Easy to roll up one handed.  Doesn't block the rear window.  Only costs you about 6" of the bed when open as opposed to a retractable canister which eats up about a foot of bedspace.  Downside is it's either all the way open or all the way closed.   Good luck with you search.    
    • cherryred21duramax
      Can anyone decode a VIN to determine if this truck has had emissions issues or a recall?

      By cherryred21duramax · Posted

      Does any of this change if the seller dropped the price to $22.5k?  Mechanic is supposed to verify the transmission concern but they have not got back to me yet.  Even if a transmission needed to be purchased, I'm looking at <$30k which puts me right back to where I started.   In the meantime, I test drove 2 trucks locally back-to-back, one Denali and one SLE, the SLE was noisy, jerky, and did not inspire confidence, while the Denali was over $30k but just sold the other day.  If $32k buys you a Denali with 100k miles and this truck can be had for $32k with a brand new transmission, with GM parts warranty, does that skew things?   FWIW, all the trucks I drove locally had a much worse service history - emissions work, valve body work, one even had the whole transmission replaced with lower mileage than the one in TX.  I'm guessing those were "short trip" vehicles, as they only racked up around 100k miles in 6 years - a lot less than 164k miles in just under 6 years.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...