Steering Radio Controls

dknight903 · May 4, 2008

Hey Daddy what the name of those rims you have on your truck?

If only there were some sort of place like a signature to put that info! Kidding, check my signature for the info and the link.

Welcome to the site, you obviously have nice taste,

Thnxs I just traded my 07 chevy NBS for my 08 NBS ext cab. I got a question about this topic. I screwed up and ordered my module for my steering wheel before I even new about this site and lol I didnt have the wires for it. If I buy the steering wheel off of ebay that has it will the wiring harness in the column work with the new steering wheel one?

tobias · May 4, 2008

Hey Daddy what the name of those rims you have on your truck?

If only there were some sort of place like a signature to put that info! Kidding, check my signature for the info and the link.

Welcome to the site, you obviously have nice taste,

Thnxs I just traded my 07 chevy NBS for my 08 NBS ext cab. I got a question about this topic. I screwed up and ordered my module for my steering wheel before I even new about this site and lol I didnt have the wires for it. If I buy the steering wheel off of ebay that has it will the wiring harness in the column work with the new steering wheel one?

Take a few minutes and read the the thread you are posting in. Everything you need to know is in here, including the answer to the question you just asked.

puttnutz · June 15, 2008

what's up everyone. this is my first post, although i've been lurking for a few weeks. just picked up my 08 silverado extended cab with the california package about a month ago. after driving it for a few weeks, i started to notice a few things that bugged me. 1) i have the front bench seat with the fold down console and gm is now putting the cup holders in the center console as opposed to on the hump of the floor board. when you actually use to cup holders for drinks, you notice that the drinks get in the way of reaching for the a/c and radio controls. i was a bit frustrated because i had the LT1 with no radio controls on the steering wheel. fortunately i came across these forums and thanks to posts from you guys, i realized that the controls could be added. i ordered my steering wheel from ebay for $97 shipped and completed the install yesterday. i love it!

i want to add my 2 cents from my installation experience....to remove the airbag locate the 1/8" holes in the plastic on the sides of the steering wheel there is one behind the cruise controls, and one on the other side where the radio controls go. if you insert an allen wrench about 1"-1 1/2" straight into the hole, you will push on the spring to release the airbags. repeat for both sides. make sure you hold the allen wrench parallel to the floor and go straight into the hole, and it is actually quite easy. i've seen other posts talking about sticking screwdrivers through the back of the steering wheel which really threw me off. these small holes one the side of the wheel were actually put there to give access to release the airbag. i hope this helps anyone else who needs to remove the airbag for any reason.

my second issue with my new truck was that i had no DIC controls. i justified the purchase of this vehicle because 90% of my driving is on open freeway and I thought the AFM would increase my gas mileage. well to my suprise, so far i have been consistently in the 15.6 mpg range. my 2001 sierra that i traded in averaged close to 17 and that was with me driving 80-85mph on my 30 mile commute. i've babied my new truck, usually driving around 70mph and i'm always gentle when accelerating. anyway, not having the DIC controls, I have no idea of when 4cyl. mode kicks in(i can't feel it ?!?) and I don't have instant feedback of how different driving styles affect the mpg. one thing i should point out is that my commute is up the coast from san diego into orange county and it is constantly changing elevation, either slightly uphill, or slightly downhill, but never flat. perhaps this could be a reason why AFM is not very affective on my drive. i've ordered the parts for the DIC controls and will be installing them soon, and I look forward to having the information that they provide. i think it's a bit silly that GM gives their vehicles the capabilities of providing this information through on board computers, but will not install the $17 switch to give you access. hopefully with the info i gather I am able to improve my mpg's a little.

has anyone had much experience with tuning? i've read some posts about hypertune and a few others, but my concern is what are the long term affects of changing the factory settings of the vehicle. will it shorten the life of many of the engine parts? how about the warranty?

overall, I love my new truck. GM has come a long way with the fit and finish in the last few years. i can't believe how rattly my 01 sierra was after driving this new one. i had one friend trade in his 04 avalanche and by a new crew cab after he saw and rode in mine. i have another friend who has an 06 silverado(which was almost identical to my 01 sierra) and he wants a new one too. unfortunately for him, the trade in value on trucks has tanked because of gas prices and all the deals on new trucks. so it looks like i'll be driving this one until the hydrogen model comes out in 10 years or so.

thanks for all the great info. i look forward to contributing. i'll posts some pics of my ride soon.

john

elmo · June 29, 2008

Black Crew Cab,
Got my steering wheel with the radio controls today...Yes indeed you need a new (or need to cut) back plastic trim/piece to accomodate the new controls. The one that I have in my truck (w/o the controls) doesn't have an opening for it. Let me know if you need pictures.

I played a little with the air bag release tabs and it seems fairly easy process to install like stated by Daddy. I'll install the new steering wheel as a whole since I don't want to remove the torcx screws and deal with a bunch of loose parts.

Good Luck!

sweet man, i bet it looks good, can you get me some pictures too? i may try to cut the plastic if its not too hard, but i bet it is too hard and i will buy a wheel for $190 from gm parts direct, i got a new pic of my interior after installing the console, looks great

First off, this has got to be the best forum ever. I got my DIC panel in, I'm searching ebay diligently for a steering wheel with stereo controls ( I think I found one, is $144 an ok price?) I now this center console. Can anyone get me a part # for this assembly?

Also, Black Crew,... would you mind a shot of the console without the hat? I'd like to see how it mates to the dash, TIA

Pete

tobias · June 29, 2008

Black Crew Cab,
Got my steering wheel with the radio controls today...Yes indeed you need a new (or need to cut) back plastic trim/piece to accomodate the new controls. The one that I have in my truck (w/o the controls) doesn't have an opening for it. Let me know if you need pictures.

I played a little with the air bag release tabs and it seems fairly easy process to install like stated by Daddy. I'll install the new steering wheel as a whole since I don't want to remove the torcx screws and deal with a bunch of loose parts.

Good Luck!

sweet man, i bet it looks good, can you get me some pictures too? i may try to cut the plastic if its not too hard, but i bet it is too hard and i will buy a wheel for $190 from gm parts direct, i got a new pic of my interior after installing the console, looks great

First off, this has got to be the best forum ever. I got my DIC panel in, I'm searching ebay diligently for a steering wheel with stereo controls ( I think I found one, is $144 an ok price?) I now this center console. Can anyone get me a part # for this assembly?

Also, Black Crew,... would you mind a shot of the console without the hat? I'd like to see how it mates to the dash, TIA

Pete

My guess is that the hat is there for a reason. IF that console came out of a Tahoe or Yukon, it'll have an opening at the front of it that the stereo covers in the interior of the SUV's.

According to the customer service department at gmpartsdirect.com, these are the parts necessary for the center console based on an a VIN from an SLE2 one of our members here lent me for the request:

15910727 front floor console, ebony.

15238643 front floor console accessory trim bezel.

15217111 front floor console armrest, ebony.

15134793 front floor cup holder ebony.

15217101 front floor console rear trim panel, ebony.

15134825 front floor console compartment bezel.

25793661 front floor console front, or rear cup holder liner.

15217105 front floor console rear compartment door panel ebony.

15134819 front floor rear console cup holder.

15910727 front floor console storage tray.

15134821 front floor console compartment door hinge.

Daddy

Stevet86 · June 29, 2008

First off, this has got to be the best forum ever. I got my DIC panel in, I'm searching ebay diligently for a steering wheel with stereo controls ( I think I found one, is $144 an ok price?) I now this center console. Can anyone get me a part # for this assembly?

Also, Black Crew,... would you mind a shot of the console without the hat? I'd like to see how it mates to the dash, TIA

Pete

I have to agree this site is great when it comes to looking for answers. I have already installed the DIC and steering wheel with radio controls thanks to this forum. If you are looking at the wheel for $144 I placed a best offer for $100 and it was accepted immediately. Keep the info coming!

elmo · June 30, 2008

thanks for the parts list Daddy,... All I need is to see a pic and I'll pull the trigger on this mod...

puttnutz · July 1, 2008

i ordered my steering wheel off ebay for $97 w/ free shipping and sold my old steering wheel on ebay for $89. not a bad deal if you ask me.

ub2slo · September 2, 2008

i ordered my steering wheel off ebay for $97 w/ free shipping and sold my old steering wheel on ebay for $89. not a bad deal if you ask me.

So,, If you order a new wheel with the radio controls... everything should work. Meaning the new wheel comes with the harness and should just be a simple swap?

tobias · September 3, 2008

i ordered my steering wheel off ebay for $97 w/ free shipping and sold my old steering wheel on ebay for $89. not a bad deal if you ask me.

So,, If you order a new wheel with the radio controls... everything should work. Meaning the new wheel comes with the harness and should just be a simple swap?

If you have a GMT900 that originally came with cruise control, the wheel with radio controls should work just fine and does usually come complete with harness and all, yes.

ub2slo · September 3, 2008

Yes, mine has the cruise control minus the radio controls. I'll be searching for a new wheel. Also plan to add the DIC and perhaps one day the center console and Nav.

x1cn18 · September 10, 2008

first off new here great info im looking to add the steering wheel audio controls to my 2000 model i have the wheel clcokspring and the pigtail that comes from the main ignition connector im trying to find out where they go and what all needsa to be done to make them work and suggestions?

blk03 · September 27, 2008

Finally got my new wheel on today. Works great. Real easy to do.

LawmanSS · September 28, 2008

If you have a GMT900 that originally came with cruise control, the wheel with radio controls should work just fine and does usually come complete with harness and all, yes.

Newbie here! I've read this thread over several times and I have a quick question...if I buy a new wheel assembly with the radio controls on it, does it include the rear shroud or do I need to purchase it separately? Thanks!

tobias · September 28, 2008

If you have a GMT900 that originally came with cruise control, the wheel with radio controls should work just fine and does usually come complete with harness and all, yes.

Newbie here! I've read this thread over several times and I have a quick question...if I buy a new wheel assembly with the radio controls on it, does it include the rear shroud or do I need to purchase it separately? Thanks!

If you buy a new wheel that has the controls on it already, it will also have the rear shroud.