2007 SLE DIC Upgrade

todoubled05 · January 19, 2008

Just did a practice run on my DIC. Pulled off the panel and switch, checked everything out, then replaced it. Will order the new part later today. Really looking forward to the upgrade.

Daddy.............I LOVE YOU, MAN!!!!

Thanks... I think.

Kidding.

I just ordered the redundant stereo controls for the steering wheel along with the new wheel shroud. Keep your eyes peeled for that one in the next couple of weeks. Once the parts arrive, I'll let you boys know.

Daddy

daddy! my eyes have been peeled! did u get the controls in??

tobias · January 19, 2008

Just did a practice run on my DIC. Pulled off the panel and switch, checked everything out, then replaced it. Will order the new part later today. Really looking forward to the upgrade.

Daddy.............I LOVE YOU, MAN!!!!

Thanks... I think.

Kidding.

I just ordered the redundant stereo controls for the steering wheel along with the new wheel shroud. Keep your eyes peeled for that one in the next couple of weeks. Once the parts arrive, I'll let you boys know.

Daddy

daddy! my eyes have been peeled! did u get the controls in??

Sorry, Yeah, I did. I had posted about this in the other thread that was actually about the steering wheel controls and forgot to come back here. My bad. Long story short, you have to get a whole new wheel or find the wiring harness that goes inside the wheel at a salvage yard. GM won't sell the harness alone so if you buy the switches and shroud, you still can't use them unless you find a harness somewhere. I said to hell with it and bought a full wheel ($99) from an '08 Avalanche that had been wrecked and used that. It was plug-and-play and works beautifully. If you can find a harness, I still have the switch module. Best bet, keep your eyes on eBay. Wish I had better news.

Daddy

tnchapman · January 19, 2008

pictures and a part number would be helpful

I didn't take pics. Trust me, this is simple enough you won't need them.

I forgot to add the link to the part, I apologize.

Here it is:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?s...number=19159438

Daddy

Daddy,

Thanks - I went to the site and ordered the switch. This is information I couldn't get from the dealer. I was looking at aftermarket units (found 1) but it was an attach by velcro and I didn't want that on my 2008 Silverado.

Thanks again,

TNC

tobias · January 19, 2008

No Problem.

20corvette07 · January 22, 2008

Thanks Daddy,

Found out about this mod yesterday, dealer had part in stock. 10 minutes to change old one out, and we are in business!

Jim

Mike1187 · January 26, 2008

I just added the DIC buttons to my truck today. I took a slightly different route though. I ordered GM part No: 15947841(switch only) for $22.34 before tax from the dealer. all I had to do was cut a hole in the dash panel, and clip the switch in its place.

tobias · January 26, 2008

I just added the DIC buttons to my truck today. I took a slightly different route though. I ordered GM part No: 15947841(switch only) for $22.34 before tax from the dealer. all I had to do was cut a hole in the dash panel, and clip the switch in its place.

Let's see some close-up, detailed pics. Many people have thought about that method, I'm sure, but it'd be nice to see how it turned out.

Daddy

Mike1187 · January 26, 2008

I just added the DIC buttons to my truck today. I took a slightly different route though. I ordered GM part No: 15947841(switch only) for $22.34 before tax from the dealer. all I had to do was cut a hole in the dash panel, and clip the switch in its place.

Let's see some close-up, detailed pics. Many people have thought about that method, I'm sure, but it'd be nice to see how it turned out.

Daddy

it should look the same as the factory piece as long as you cut the hole carefully. the dash pannel on my truck already had the bracket on the back side to hold the switch so once I cut the hole it just clipped right in.

tobias · January 26, 2008

I just added the DIC buttons to my truck today. I took a slightly different route though. I ordered GM part No: 15947841(switch only) for $22.34 before tax from the dealer. all I had to do was cut a hole in the dash panel, and clip the switch in its place.

Let's see some close-up, detailed pics. Many people have thought about that method, I'm sure, but it'd be nice to see how it turned out.

Daddy

it should look the same as the factory piece as long as you cut the hole carefully. the dash pannel on my truck already had the bracket on the back side to hold the switch so once I cut the hole it just clipped right in.

Understood, but it seems like it'd be tough to ever get the finish of a factory molded piece. I just wondered if you would supply pics for those thinking about doing this and expecting as-good-as-factory results. What did you cut it with?

Daddy

Mike1187 · January 26, 2008

I just added the DIC buttons to my truck today. I took a slightly different route though. I ordered GM part No: 15947841(switch only) for $22.34 before tax from the dealer. all I had to do was cut a hole in the dash panel, and clip the switch in its place.

Let's see some close-up, detailed pics. Many people have thought about that method, I'm sure, but it'd be nice to see how it turned out.

Daddy

it should look the same as the factory piece as long as you cut the hole carefully. the dash pannel on my truck already had the bracket on the back side to hold the switch so once I cut the hole it just clipped right in.

Understood, but it seems like it'd be tough to ever get the finish of a factory molded piece. I just wondered if you would supply pics for those thinking about doing this and expecting as-good-as-factory results. What did you cut it with?

Daddy

I cut the hole out with a carbide bit and my dremel, then used a file to make sure the sides were nice and straight, and finished up with shaving a tiny bit off around the outside of the hole with a really sharp knife so the color would match, since the previous tools to leave a lighter look because the surface isnt perfect. the plastic is fairly soft, and I'm sure it could all be done with just a sharp utility/exacto knife as long as care was taken to make sure you didnt accidentally cut too far.

I suppose worst case scenario you could probably just buy the dash pannel if you messed up. I dont know what the price is, but I doubt buying the switch, and pannel seperately would be more than buying the "kit" that also supplies the vent. the vent assembly is simply held on by a couple plastic clips and only takes a couple seconds to remove/install.

My digital camera is no longer working, but if there is interest in photos, I will take some when I get a new camera and post them here.

tobias · January 27, 2008

I cut the hole out with a carbide bit and my dremel, then used a file to make sure the sides were nice and straight, and finished up with shaving a tiny bit off around the outside of the hole with a really sharp knife so the color would match, since the previous tools to leave a lighter look because the surface isnt perfect. the plastic is fairly soft, and I'm sure it could all be done with just a sharp utility/exacto knife as long as care was taken to make sure you didnt accidentally cut too far.

I suppose worst case scenario you could probably just buy the dash pannel if you messed up. I dont know what the price is, but I doubt buying the switch, and pannel seperately would be more than buying the "kit" that also supplies the vent. the vent assembly is simply held on by a couple plastic clips and only takes a couple seconds to remove/install.

My digital camera is no longer working, but if there is interest in photos, I will take some when I get a new camera and post them here.

When you get a chance, I'd like to see just to see it. It would also be very helpful to others here to be able to see the alternative results before they make their decision.

Daddy

rdawson · January 27, 2008

That seems hopefull, when I checked with the dealer for the cost of the DIC, it was $100, but I could buy the switch and panel seperate, it came to $65, but I thought it might have left out something that would be needed. It looked like it even included the vent in the panel, so for those who have done the upgrade, does the panel only consist of the panel, switch, and vent? If so this could even be a cheaper way to upgrade.

tnchapman · January 30, 2008

I just wanted to let everyone know that adding the Driver Information Center (DIC) to your 2007 SLE is a snap.

I ordered the part from gmpartsdirect.com. The install took 5 minutes.

Directions (I would have taken photos but it's really unnecessary as this is so simple.)

*******************************************************************************

1. Turn the truck off.

2. Pull the old section of dash (on the left of the wheel) off by hand.

3. Remove the light controls (simple plastic clips).

4. Remove the extra cable clipped into the piece of dash (it's already there just not being used...YET!

5. Install the light controls into the new piece of dash (yes it comes with the new piece of dash, new vent and the switch)

6. Plug the previously non used wire into the new switch.

7. Put the new dash plate back into place by hand.

8. Turn on the truck! You're done!

This mod gives you access to fuel mileage, range, gallons used, V8/V4 mode notification, tire pressures, tire sensor learning, key fob learning, chime volume, entry and exit lighting schemes, lock and unlock schemes (including automatic lock/unlock), unit and language choices, engine hours and probably more that I have forgotten already.

The beauty of all of this is the cost - $100.22 shipped.

Enjoy.

If you have questions, let me know!

Daddy.

Daddy,

Thanks for the info. I ordered from GM Parts Direct. Took about 2 weeks to get the part. I just installed exactly by your instructions. Easy, 5 minutes. Its a great upgrade to my 2008 Silverado. I can't believe all that info is there just waiting to be switched on.

Thanks again.

TNC

07 CC Sierra · January 30, 2008

That seems hopefull, when I checked with the dealer for the cost of the DIC, it was $100, but I could buy the switch and panel seperate, it came to $65, but I thought it might have left out something that would be needed. It looked like it even included the vent in the panel, so for those who have done the upgrade, does the panel only consist of the panel, switch, and vent? If so this could even be a cheaper way to upgrade.

The new panel I got from the dealer did include the panel, switch, and a/c vent. If you were able to buy the switch only, you would have to cut a hole in your existing panel. However, if I remember right, my original panel had the tabs to hold the switch in place on the back side, just no cut out for it.

Arclighht · January 30, 2008

I cut the hole out with a carbide bit and my dremel, then used a file to make sure the sides were nice and straight, and finished up with shaving a tiny bit off around the outside of the hole with a really sharp knife so the color would match, since the previous tools to leave a lighter look because the surface isnt perfect. the plastic is fairly soft, and I'm sure it could all be done with just a sharp utility/exacto knife as long as care was taken to make sure you didnt accidentally cut too far.

I suppose worst case scenario you could probably just buy the dash pannel if you messed up. I dont know what the price is, but I doubt buying the switch, and pannel seperately would be more than buying the "kit" that also supplies the vent. the vent assembly is simply held on by a couple plastic clips and only takes a couple seconds to remove/install.

My digital camera is no longer working, but if there is interest in photos, I will take some when I get a new camera and post them here.

When you get a chance, I'd like to see just to see it. It would also be very helpful to others here to be able to see the alternative results before they make their decision.

Daddy

I'd like to see a close up pic, too. I have my doubts that cutting this in yourself would look as good as a factory molded piece. Unless maybe you're a plastic surgeon. Plus, if you have $65 bucks for the switch, spend $20 more and buy the whole assembly at GM Parts Direct for $84.70. Not doubting that you did a fine job cutting this in yourself, just a bit skeptical that this method is worth the trouble considering the slightly increased cost of going the other route.