Overhead Consoles

Rosedog · January 30, 2008

As the topic says...

I'm wanting to install one in my 03 ext. silverado. Maybe the long style or maybe the short one, I dunno yet. I curious to know what to watch out for, how to mount/install/wire them.

If you have any idea how to do this, could you please let me know.

Thank in adavance.

j.roffel · January 30, 2008

I know that mine you unscrew one screw and pull it back (towards the rear) and it just comes off. Mine is still stock so the wiring is already up there for me so I dunno, maybe you could splice off of the mirror?

Rosedog · January 31, 2008

I know that mine you unscrew one screw and pull it back (towards the rear) and it just comes off. Mine is still stock so the wiring is already up there for me so I dunno, maybe you could splice off of the mirror?

What does the one screw, screw into? The liner (or whatever is under/above it) doesn't feel like it could support that weight. I could be wrong as i have no idea how much these things weigh.

Got a picture of yours (what style is it)?

Anyone else wanna chime in?

j.roffel · January 31, 2008

I know that mine you unscrew one screw and pull it back (towards the rear) and it just comes off. Mine is still stock so the wiring is already up there for me so I dunno, maybe you could splice off of the mirror?

What does the one screw, screw into? The liner (or whatever is under/above it) doesn't feel like it could support that weight. I could be wrong as i have no idea how much these things weigh.

Got a picture of yours (what style is it)?

Anyone else wanna chime in?

Don't have a picture lying around but I have a regular cab so it's a short one with the little cubby and two lights underneath. The screw goes into a metal bracket coming off the roof. Theres a rather large hole in the headliner that the console covers.

Wingnut · February 1, 2008

I put the long console in my regular cab, and there was no bracket up there, so I had to buy one and make it work.

If you've got an ex cab, the bracket should already be in there. It's pretty simple. The console will be held up by one screw in the front (all the way up by the windshield is a small clip that it screws into) and two tabs in the rear that slide into the bracket (you'll have to cut a hole in your headliner). The bracket is welded in and goes from the windshield to about even with the back of the front seats.

I bought the console from salvage, and the bracket (unlike ex cabs, regular cabs don't come with a bracket already installed in the truck) from a dealer. Total cost was around $60-$70 or so, and it took me quite a while to install due to the different brackets (one for reg cabs and one for ex-cabs). I got frustrated enough that I almost just installed a short console (I bought one of those too). But I sat back, drank some beer, and made that sh*t work.

GatorFan · February 1, 2008

I put the short one (with map lights) in mine. The toughest part of all was cutting the headliner but that really wasn't that difficult either. There are no wiring harnesses under the headliner except the one for the factory dome light. I didn't want to tap into that one so I ran the wires for the map lights across and down the driver's side A-pillar and tapped into the interior fuse block. I used one of the switch-key sources in the fuse box so that it only worked when the ignition was on because I didn't want constant power to the lights (in case I accidently left one on).

If you look at the link in my sig, it will identify some of the factory parts (and part #s) you need as well as some pics during installation if you decide to go with the small console. The console bracket and part # in those pics only works for a standard cab truck.

Wingnut · February 1, 2008

I put the short one (with map lights) in mine. The toughest part of all was cutting the headliner but that really wasn't that difficult either. There are no wiring harnesses under the headliner except the one for the factory dome light. I didn't want to tap into that one so I ran the wires for the map lights across and down the driver's side A-pillar and tapped into the interior fuse block. I used one of the switch-key sources in the fuse box so that it only worked when the ignition was on because I didn't want constant power to the lights (in case I accidently left one on).

If you look at the link in my sig, it will identify some of the factory parts (and part #s) you need as well as some pics during installation if you decide to go with the small console. The console bracket and part # in those pics only works for a standard cab truck.

I referenced your posts on the subject when I was putting mine together. Thanks for posting up the info you did

The ex-cab bracket doesn't fit into the regular cab very well (funny, it's a bit too short), and the regular cab bracket that does fit doesn't have the slots for the long console. BUT, the regular cab bracket pops right in and accepts the short console without modification (other than cutting the hole in the headliner).

The only other problem I came across -and this doesn't apply to ex-cabs- is that the regular cabs don't have the clip that snaps in to the roof to accept the screw off the front of the console. Dealership was NO help at all with finding this little clip. I remember you (GatorFan) saying that you actually got a dealer to track it down for you...I tried several dealerships and none of them could help.

Oh, and I still have a short console sitting in my garage if anybody wants to buy it.

Rosedog · February 2, 2008

I put the short one (with map lights) in mine. The toughest part of all was cutting the headliner but that really wasn't that difficult either. There are no wiring harnesses under the headliner except the one for the factory dome light. I didn't want to tap into that one so I ran the wires for the map lights across and down the driver's side A-pillar and tapped into the interior fuse block. I used one of the switch-key sources in the fuse box so that it only worked when the ignition was on because I didn't want constant power to the lights (in case I accidently left one on).

If you look at the link in my sig, it will identify some of the factory parts (and part #s) you need as well as some pics during installation if you decide to go with the small console. The console bracket and part # in those pics only works for a standard cab truck.

I referenced your posts on the subject when I was putting mine together. Thanks for posting up the info you did

The ex-cab bracket doesn't fit into the regular cab very well (funny, it's a bit too short), and the regular cab bracket that does fit doesn't have the slots for the long console. BUT, the regular cab bracket pops right in and accepts the short console without modification (other than cutting the hole in the headliner).

The only other problem I came across -and this doesn't apply to ex-cabs- is that the regular cabs don't have the clip that snaps in to the roof to accept the screw off the front of the console. Dealership was NO help at all with finding this little clip. I remember you (GatorFan) saying that you actually got a dealer to track it down for you...I tried several dealerships and none of them could help.

Oh, and I still have a short console sitting in my garage if anybody wants to buy it.

Thanks guys. So if I understand this correctly I do not need that bracket #15711473 for my extended cab (even if I decide to go with the long overhead console).

Wingnut, how much do you want for that short one? I'm scoping a few on ebay right now.

Wingnut · February 2, 2008

I sent a pic via PM.

And by the way, to all you other people in this thread just looking for info...Here's what the long console looks like in a regular cab.

Desert Driver · February 3, 2008

OK guys, I'm trying to install the short overhead console & my 2006 extended cab 1500 is not pre-wired for one. On the console itself, the wiring harness has 3 wires. They are gray/black, black, and orange. Does anyone know which one is for power, which one is for ground, & what the third one is for?

Rosedog · February 21, 2008

The only other problem I came across -and this doesn't apply to ex-cabs- is that the regular cabs don't have the clip that snaps in to the roof to accept the screw off the front of the console. Dealership was NO help at all with finding this little clip. I remember you (GatorFan) saying that you actually got a dealer to track it down for you...I tried several dealerships and none of them could help.

Okay I'm in the same boat with this clip. Before I start hacking away at my liner I want to know if I have that clip or not. So I went to two dealers and called a third. Holy Sh!t it was like pulling teeth! When they gave up they fell back on the..."You got a vin number?"

The thing that really was annoying was that they would show me an exploded view with the overhead console and I could see the $9 screw but there was no reference to the clip that its to screw into!

Where can I find one of these clips (besides a yard)? Does anyone have a part number for it?

Wingnut · February 21, 2008

Heh...I even went to the yard and got one...But you pretty much have to destroy it to get it out.

I seem to recall that GatorFan found one at a dealer, but couldn't find the part number.

Just slide it 1/4" forward and use a self-tapping screw

Rosedog · February 21, 2008

Heh...I even went to the yard and got one...But you pretty much have to destroy it to get it out.

I seem to recall that GatorFan found one at a dealer, but couldn't find the part number.

I thought I had seen that I had read that somewhere too about GatorFan but I can't seem to find it now.

I may have to try the yards again.

Just slide it 1/4" forward and use a self-tapping screw

The thought of JB Welding a piece of sheet metal over that hole has crossed my mind too.

Wingnut · February 21, 2008

Heh...I even went to the yard and got one...But you pretty much have to destroy it to get it out.

I seem to recall that GatorFan found one at a dealer, but couldn't find the part number.

I thought I had seen that I had read that somewhere too about GatorFan but I can't seem to find it now.

I may have to try the yards again.

Just slide it 1/4" forward and use a self-tapping screw

The thought of JB Welding a piece of sheet metal over that hole has crossed my mind too.

Or tack-welding a small plate in the same place.

Rosedog · August 1, 2008

I did it, finally got it done (about time).

Here are the pics of the finished product and wired points.

The one thing missing from the pics is the GM clip I found at a salvage yard. I found it actually easy to get out without destroying the other truck or the clip (I'll post pics of that later) with a small flat head.

I used the salvaged truck to make my template for the hole I need to cut and worked.

Trying to get that screw lined up was a pita. Finally I just point the hole of the clip with a dab a silver used my snake light to help me find the hole while looking through the screw hole and had my father in-law screw it in.

To get the wires over to the console I used a long piece of piano wire (can be found at any r/c hobby store) and bent the end of it like a small circle so I could zip-tie my wire to it. I passed it through the slot in the roof (above the head liner) where the factory wiring is at. The rest of the wire I ran down the pillar.

The ONLY problem I have with this now is...I want the longer console now.