How-To: Install 2003+ Center Console In 99-02 GMT800 Truck.

[sleepur606]

This is the first post of many...

 

Ok, I couldn't find anything like this on either GM-Trucks or GMFullsize so I figured I would post it. I know there are a lot of guys that want to put a console in their truck and either like the 2003+ console or just can't find the older style, so here goes.

 

This is what I started with:

 

 

When I got the console, I made sure I got the glove box/lower dash piece that came out of the same truck. I think you could modify your current lower dash, but don't quote me on that. It would be easier and probably less frustrating to just buy the piece.

 

This is the piece out of my 2002, the piece you need looks almost identical but it does not have the left side below the cigarette lighters/AC controls, etc.

 

This piece is held in with about a dozen 7mm bolts, some of which you'll have to remove from hidden areas. They're not too hard to find, but you'll have to pull out that snap-in center section below the factory cigarette lighters/ash tray.

You may have to remove the "knee panel" below the steering wheel to get the glove box piece out, just because it's a PITA, not because there are bolts behind it.

This is what it should look like when you've got everything off the bottom of the dash.

Passenger Side:

Middle:

Driver Side:

[sleepur606]

Post #2

 

After you've got everything removed, you can either putt the seats or finish the dash. I finished the dash so that's the order I'll post it in.

 

On the inside of the glove box, there is a sticker which I think has all the RPO codes for your truck and your VIN code. I wanted to keep all my info with my truck so I drilled out the two rivets that hold the glove box onto the trim piece. Once you reinstall everything the 7mm bolts will hold the glove box on, but you can rivet it onto the new dash trim piece if you'd like.

 

After you have the glove box in you can remove the seats. It would be best to use the right tools to pull the seats, meaning female Torx sockets, but even I couldn't find ones that would work in front. I went to Sears and got a Lisle set and used it, but only on the rear bolts.

 

These two bolts are in the front and can be removed with a 15mm socket...I think, but as long as you find a socket that is snug it should work just fine.

 

 

I know, it's nasty dirty, but it's all better now; look away if you must.

I somehow managed to forget pictures of the rear seat mount bolts, but you should be able to find them without any problems. If you can't get the seat out and you only have 3 bolts, one is hidden underneath a little plastic cover toward the transmission hump, just pull up on it and you should find the bolt.

I removed the sill plates to make it easier to remove the seats, but it might not be completely necessary.

 

Once you've got one seat out it should look like this:

Keep in mind there are electrical connections that have to be unclipped before you take the seats out, if not you could damage something. Ignore that if you have manual seats.

With everything out, you're truck should look like this..naked:

 

Normally my truck only looks like this after the half hour I spent vacuuming up all the dog hair, old crusty french-fries, and bits of sand and gravel left over from pool construction. Lesson learned: clean up more often, it's easier that way.

Edited March 18, 2007 by sleepur606

[sleepur606]

Post #3, and last I hope.

 

After you've got everything out and nice and clean, you can install the console. I know that it's pretty much impossible to get a console that has the mounting tabs in perfect condition, so be ready to "finesse" them into place. (Read: hammer, or big hammer, required for installation.)

 

These are the tabs you have to mess with. You can only get the console in with the seats out, don't even try leaving the seats in, you'll probably hate yourself. I ended up using a samll hammer between the tabs and the mounting studs to pry them into place. When that didn't work, I took out a bigger hammer and beat them into submission.

 

Once the console is in, your truck should look something like this:

This is what it looks like when in...nothing special. Just put it in and it's there.

 

After you've got the console in, everything is pretty much reverse of the removal process. Put the seats back in, bolt everything down, admire your work. Here's the installed console with seats:

 

The console I got was a Bose unit with the rear audio controls. I didn't want to hook it up because I'm too lazy and, most of all, don't want people messing with the radio while I'm driving, but I think it could be done if you really wanted. On the other hand, the cigarette lighters and power plugs connectors snap right in and work fine. This is also true with the power for the glove box light bulb.

Once installed, the bulb that used to reside in the ash tray will be hanging in the middle of nowhere, I just removed the bulb and put it out of the way so the wires won't short and blow a fuse or anything.

 

Now, you may have heard that installing a 2003+ console in your 99-02 truck will leave a huge 1" gap between the console and the dash. Don't go crying, it's not that bad. I think, it's about 3/8" at most, and I believe you could use the 2003+ dash bezel to cover it up. Someone try it and post the solution.

Here's the gap:

 

This project took me about an hour and a half, with about 30 minutes going to cleaning the carpet. It's not hard, just about anyone could do it. You should be able to find the consoles on eBay, I got mine for $450 shipped, but I'm pretty sure they can go for less.

Any questions, just post away.

 

Oh yeah, and the colors don't match. Even though GM calls both generations Pewter or Dark Charcoal, they're slightly different, I can live with it...it's pretty hard to tell the difference without a good amount of light on the pieces.

 

Thanks...c'mon, sticky!

[Wingnut]

That's a great walkthrough man

 

I'm assuming that the center portion of the seat just comes out?

[sleepur606]

That's a great walkthrough man

 

I'm assuming that the center portion of the seat just comes out?

 

Yeah Wingnut, the console replaces the jumpseat, just like there would be a console instead of the jumpseat in the LT models. Hope this clarifies.

[ThorsHD]

Nice install. what are you going to do with the jump seat? I have an 02 with bucket seats and want to replace it with a 40/20/40.

[irresponsiblekid]

if Thors doesn't buy the jump seat, i'm def. interested for my '06 WT ... which, btw, has the same console as your "before" pics ...

[spackelman]

Nice install. what are you going to do with the jump seat? I have an 02 with bucket seats and want to replace it with a 40/20/40.

 

 

I'm also interested in the jump seat. The cover to the storage compartment broke off of mine.

[ThorsHD]

I still want it. I've pm'd and emailed him once a week, He doesn't check the boared anymore.

[ThorsHD]

Nice install. what are you going to do with the jump seat? I have an 02 with bucket seats and want to replace it with a 40/20/40.

 

 

I'm also interested in the jump seat. The cover to the storage compartment broke off of mine.

 

 

 

they sell a replacement cover on ebay for 130. it is an easy install.

[Etnomaiab]

Wow that looks nice! I might have to do this to my truck.

 

How does the console line up with the dash on the side? It looks like the lines are a little different, but it could just be the picture. Also, is there any way you could get a picture of the gap from the center and a little farther back? I've got a crew cab so my passengers would be able to see it from a different angle.

 

-Nick

01 1500HD 4x4

[curly]

Great write-up!

 

I want to do this sooooo bad in my truck. Since I have the floor shifter for 4-wheel drive, I need the console without the piece that connects it to the dash (99-02 console). The jump seat out of my '05 HD (leather seat) will be for sale if I ever find a center console.

Edited June 23, 2007 by curly

[curly]

I won an auction on Ebay and got my center console (the console without the part that connects it to the dash). I can't use that part since my truck has a floor shifter for 4-wheel drive so it should work great. My console will be for sale as soon as my 'new' console arrives and I get it installed.

[RAF]

damn I want to do this to my truck but I cant because I have the floor shifter for the 4x4 asewll

[zxrbobby]

I can't see any of the pictures!!! I'm doing a 2004 Silverado center console into a 2001 Silverado but I need to know what the duct looks like that connects to the console so I can have air to the rear seats.