Changing Door Panels

azsnow · February 18, 2009

I recently took my truck on a 1500 mile trip, empty bed on the way up, and FULL bed on the way back. I haad so much stuff in there, you would have thought I was coming from Mexico! I drove up from sea level to 7000 feet, and then back again, with a few steep grades in between. I outclimbed my buddies 4 wheel drive, (due to the massive weight in my bed, and nothing in his) but lets get to the point of this post! The only bad thing I can say about the truck, other than I wish I had more room when others are riding with me, is that the armrests SUCK! They are the hardest most uncomfortable things I have ever had to put my arms on! i am going to change out my door panels from the SLE to the upgraded SLT panels. I went to the GMC dealer, and sat in a Yukon, as well as took a couple of measurements while I was there. Not sure if its just placement, but those armrests are 100% more user friendly. Has anybody done third, or am I going to be a pioneer for the rest of you? I think thats only fair I guess, since someone else suffered the uncertanty of audio controls on the steering wheel!

BuckFeverZ · February 18, 2009

I haven't heard of anyone doing this swap before. Should be interesting indeed. If you do go ahead with it, be sure to keep us updated

Sigmawess · February 18, 2009

I am interested to see how it works out. I agree they are uncomfortable. The rubberish arm rest on the passenger side door has faded slightly and is driving me nuts!

Spurshot · February 18, 2009

I thought the cheaper package had the inside door openning handle below the armrest and the topline package placed the openning handle above the armrest???? If so, you'd have to change the openning handle parts as well.

blackgold · February 18, 2009

That may not be true. All of the components are located on the door, with just a cable connecting to them. If the orientation of the new handle is similar to the old, and uses the same cable mount, you may be able to just connect the old cable.

Brian

I thought the cheaper package had the inside door openning handle below the armrest and the topline package placed the openning handle above the armrest???? If so, you'd have to change the openning handle parts as well.

azsnow · February 18, 2009

That may not be true. All of the components are located on the door, with just a cable connecting to them. If the orientation of the new handle is similar to the old, and uses the same cable mount, you may be able to just connect the old cable.
Brian

I thought the cheaper package had the inside door openning handle below the armrest and the topline package placed the openning handle above the armrest???? If so, you'd have to change the openning handle parts as well.

This is true as far as the cables go, I have had the door panel apart many times looking at stuff, and changing handles on the outside. The new door panels usually come with the new handles off of ebay (I have an offer in on a pair right now), and from what I have seen as well as some of the diagrams, the cable seems to be the same, its just routed differently. Both panels should meet up with the dash the same way, as there is a recess in both door panels that are the exact same size. I hope I have measured everything, but when the new door panels come in, I will update this post more, and post pictures as well. The only thing I didn't figure out, was how to release the cable from the handle, but I didn't try that hard either. WTF was gm thinking when puting these bricks on the door? They would be ok, if the padding was a little bit larger. I almost just bought black panels of the same style, but my buddies truck has black interior with the same door panels as me, and they are also discolored on the armrest.

blackgold · February 18, 2009

I didn't actually release them. (my buddy did) but once he looked up at the hnadle from the bottom withm e holding the door panel, he saw it. There are 2 clips on the cable that have to be pressed in to release from the mount. Hope that maeks sense.

Brian

That may not be true. All of the components are located on the door, with just a cable connecting to them. If the orientation of the new handle is similar to the old, and uses the same cable mount, you may be able to just connect the old cable.
Brian

I thought the cheaper package had the inside door openning handle below the armrest and the topline package placed the openning handle above the armrest???? If so, you'd have to change the openning handle parts as well.

This is true as far as the cables go, I have had the door panel apart many times looking at stuff, and changing handles on the outside. The new door panels usually come with the new handles off of ebay (I have an offer in on a pair right now), and from what I have seen as well as some of the diagrams, the cable seems to be the same, its just routed differently. Both panels should meet up with the dash the same way, as there is a recess in both door panels that are the exact same size. I hope I have measured everything, but when the new door panels come in, I will update this post more, and post pictures as well. The only thing I didn't figure out, was how to release the cable from the handle, but I didn't try that hard either. WTF was gm thinking when puting these bricks on the door? They would be ok, if the padding was a little bit larger. I almost just bought black panels of the same style, but my buddies truck has black interior with the same door panels as me, and they are also discolored on the armrest.

azsnow · February 18, 2009

I didn't actually release them. (my buddy did) but once he looked up at the hnadle from the bottom withm e holding the door panel, he saw it. There are 2 clips on the cable that have to be pressed in to release from the mount. Hope that maeks sense.

Brian

I will take a look when I tear the thing apart! (passenger side first of course!)

LawmanSS · February 19, 2009

This is interesting...I can't wait to hear about your progress.

azsnow · February 27, 2009

So I got the new door panel in and the only problem I see is the housing that holds the switches (window, mirror, ect) this should be no problem with those of you who have Crew cabs and want to perform this switch, as there are replacement parts available for you. For those of us with extended cabs and regular cabs, I need to find a switch housing for an extended cab SLT optioned truck. You can select this trim on the GMC build your truck area, but I do not know which one is correct on gmparts. Does anybody have the number to these guys?

blackgold · February 27, 2009

That's awesome.. Post some pics!!!

Brian

So I got the new door panel in and the only problem I see is the housing that holds the switches (window, mirror, ect) this should be no problem with those of you who have Crew cabs and want to perform this switch, as there are replacement parts available for you. For those of us with extended cabs and regular cabs, I need to find a switch housing for an extended cab SLT optioned truck. You can select this trim on the GMC build your truck area, but I do not know which one is correct on gmparts. Does anybody have the number to these guys?

azsnow · March 1, 2009

Well, I just found out that the rear windows on the extended cab rolls down as well. The only problem with this swap now, only applies to the regular cab guys. What the hell are we going to do with the other window switch holes? I have no idea what I am going to do, luckily I don't have a whole lot into this swap. Those of you with extended or crew cabs can do this swap no problem, and I am looking for a way to still complete it, I will keep you posted as things change.

asilverblazer · March 2, 2009

How about some pics of what you got so far?

Use the switch for some other accessory...

dansk · March 2, 2009

azsnow, Have you priced the new interior door handles from the dealer? For the window switches and outside mirror controls, can you use the old SLE ones providing you are making the switch on an elec rear window extended or crew cab truck? If not, have you priced those?

azsnow · March 3, 2009

The only pics I would have to post so far are those of the parts that I have aquired. I have not made the swap, only taken the door apart about five times is all! I have ordered the switch bezel from gmpartsdirect, and think I can cut and fiberglass the new bezel and mine together, and then wrap it in leather. I thought of using the switches for something else, but since my truck is a 2 wheel drive, regular cab, I am not sure what else I could use them for. I am not sure about using the old switches with the new bezel, but I don't think it would be a problem, when the bezel comes in, I will post a pic of the underside, so that you guys can compare to your current bezel. I have priced the new switches, and from the dealer, they run about $150. I will post pics when I have something good to show, but until then be patient! After I have figured out the switch issue, the only thing I will need is the metal brace that goes behind the door panel for added support. I have already put the new panel on, and after removing the brace from the SLE panel, the new one fits perfect, but then I had to put it all back together again so I could drive it! The door panels I got came with the interior handles, I picked it up from Nordstroms for $90, they also offer panels with heated seat controls for $125, and the handles are going for about $40 I think. If you have any more questions, post them, and if I can answer them, I will!