A Sticky for New PPV/SSV Owners To Re-Civilianize Our Tahoes

[jmm121783]

*****PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MSG OR POST ADD-ON'S TO THIS LIST, ANY LINKS OR INFORMATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!! *****

I think we should have a sticky at the top of the PPV and SSV forums, with the basics about getting our trucks back to a more "civilized" form. We can also have a breakdown of the differences between civilian tahoes and PPV and SSV + other Fleet optioned vehicles.

The goal would be a comprehensive list of the basic stuff we all (or most of us) encounter when we bring our Government Owned Tahoes home with us for the first time.

Some topics or examples are:

- Rear Door Locks - Getting them to lock/unlock and have the ability to auto lock or unlock via Key fob and front passengers buttons

- Basic how to on all essential maintence to do when first getting the 'Hoe home like liquid; Oil, Coolant, Steering fluid, Brake fluid, Differential fluids, Transfer Case

- How to Make Rear Door Interior Door Handles Functional

- Radio swap for USB+BLUETOOTH+6 disc (XM undelete?)

- How to get 2nd row speakers working (mine are plugged in at the speaker but must be disconnected somehow between the B Pillar and the head unit as they do not function, makes me wonder if adding the small tweeter speakers on the upper rear C pillars would be plug N play since the rear passenger door speakers don't work and are plugged in )

- How to make electronic rear windows workable by the rear passengers (mine were disconnected, and each rear switch was taped over on the actual PCB board where the switch makes contact, but when switches were fixed and felt "right" the windows still only roll down from Driver's control, this leads me to believe the entire harness for each rear door must be disconnected because the rear speakers also don't work)

- Center Consoles with all the different options

- How to Add DIC button

- How to Add a Self Dimming and other features rear view mirror

- Floormat & cargo area options + model numbers

- How to remove spotlight and make civilainized

- How to swap steering wheels with radio controls

- How to swap front cloth seats for better options

I also know there are a bunch of mods that are much more than just simple plug N play mods such as:

- Folding+Heated+Signal Side Mirrors
- Rearview mirror with LCD built-in license plate camera
- Front Heated Seats, Rear Captains Chairs, Third Row Seating?
- Adjustable Gas Pedal ?
- Adding Carpeted floor & Replacing/Adding vinyl flooring
- Adding stock 8 speaker system components + aftermarket audio
- Adding rear climate controls on headliner (manual and automation)
- Adding rear heated seats
- Adding rear radio functions
- Adding civilian center consoles

I know I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff but do you guys think this is a worthy endevour? As a newbie myself (less then a month owning) I'll tell you I could really use a thread like this, to this day! A lot is info I don't have an need to learn/find and other stuff I'd be willing to write up.

Please help lol

 

[Ron C]

*****PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MSG OR POST ADD-ON'S TO THIS LIST, ANY LINKS OR INFORMATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!! *****

I think we should have a sticky at the top of the PPV and SSV forums, with the basics about getting our trucks back to a more "civilized" form. We can also have a breakdown of the differences between civilian tahoes and PPV and SSV + other Fleet optioned vehicles.

The goal would be a comprehensive list of the basic stuff we all (or most of us) encounter when we bring our Government Owned Tahoes home with us for the first time.

Some topics or examples are:

- Rear Door Locks - Getting them to lock/unlock and have the ability to auto lock or unlock via Key fob and front passengers buttons

- Basic how to on all essential maintence to do when first getting the 'Hoe home like liquid; Oil, Coolant, Steering fluid, Brake fluid, Differential fluids, Transfer Case

- How to Make Rear Door Interior Door Handles Functional

- Radio swap for USB+BLUETOOTH+6 disc (XM undelete?)

- How to get 2nd row speakers working (mine are plugged in at the speaker but must be disconnected somehow between the B Pillar and the head unit as they do not function, makes me wonder if adding the small tweeter speakers on the upper rear C pillars would be plug N play since the rear passenger door speakers don't work and are plugged in )

- How to make electronic rear windows workable by the rear passengers (mine were disconnected, and each rear switch was taped over on the actual PCB board where the switch makes contact, but when switches were fixed and felt "right" the windows still only roll down from Driver's control, this leads me to believe the entire harness for each rear door must be disconnected because the rear speakers also don't work)

- Center Consoles with all the different options

- How to Add DIC button

- How to Add a Self Dimming and other features rear view mirror

- Floormat & cargo area options + model numbers

- How to remove spotlight and make civilainized

- How to swap steering wheels with radio controls

- How to swap front cloth seats for better options

I also know there are a bunch of mods that are much more than just simple plug N play mods such as:

- Folding+Heated+Signal Side Mirrors
- Rearview mirror with LCD built-in license plate camera
- Front Heated Seats, Rear Captains Chairs, Third Row Seating?
- Adjustable Gas Pedal ?
- Adding Carpeted floor & Replacing/Adding vinyl flooring
- Adding stock 8 speaker system components + aftermarket audio
- Adding rear climate controls on headliner (manual and automation)
- Adding rear heated seats
- Adding rear radio functions
- Adding civilian center consoles

I know I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff but do you guys think this is a worthy endevour? As a newbie myself (less then a month owning) I'll tell you I could really use a thread like this, to this day! A lot is info I don't have an need to learn/find and other stuff I'd be willing to write up.

Please help lol

Sounds like a great idea!! I like it!

here's what I have working so far, most already just did:

- Rear Door Locks: locks work, even with remote, they were just on child lock

- Basic how to on all essential maintence: dealer did that

- How to Make Rear Door Interior Door Handles Functional: mine already were, modulus child locks.

- Radio swap for USB+BLUETOOTH+6 disc (XM undelete?) I'd like to do that!! and see a write up for that, and GPS ?

- How to get 2nd row speakers working: mine already did

- How to make electronic rear windows workable: They are on mine, for/from all doors

- Center Consoles with all the different options: I like to see different options and wiring

- How to Add DIC button: would be nice to have

- How to Add a Self Dimming and other features rear view mirror:I love those

- Floormat & cargo area options + model numbers: no biggie for me

- How to remove spotlight: my SSV didn't come with one

- How to swap steering wheels with radio controls: Can radio controls just be added?

- How to swap front cloth seats for better options: no biggie for me

I also know there are a bunch of mods that are much more than just simple plug N play mods such as:

- Folding+Heated+Signal Side Mirrors
- Rearview mirror with LCD built-in license plate camera
- Front Heated Seats, Rear Captains Chairs, Third Row Seating?
- Adjustable Gas Pedal ?
- Adding Carpeted floor & Replacing/Adding vinyl flooring
- Adding stock 8 speaker system components + aftermarket audio
- Adding rear climate controls on headliner (manual and automation)
- Adding rear heated seats
- Adding rear radio functions
- Adding civilian center consoles


I'd like to do a AM/FM/GPS radio, with screen, and would provide a write up, but would probably go with something easy to install

Also, installing fog lights, with the new dash board switch for it (including the new interior switch and dome light control) seems to be easy

 

[2011SSVHOE]

Some of this stuff is probably not economically feasible to retrofit, after all this is why we buy ours to begin with, I saved ten grand by not having all that ******** that is unneeded. If you find the need for all the goodies go buy one with all the bells and whistles.
To add some of that stuff you are going to have to change wiring harnesses. Forget adding OnStar and Bluetooth. Rear seat a/c controls and rear seat entertainment, forget that also.


I agree maybe a sticky for the basics, like a DIC and a Steering wheel, Easy stuff and cheap. Door locks and window switches, also the wiring diagrams that are in the police manual supplement. Those will help with the horn, front speakers, roof light and flashing lights.

adding a console is easy if you can operate a ratchet.

As always this is just my 2cents

 

[MidwestMike]

^^^ Yep^^^

If you're going to get in too deep get something else.

But the idea is good, and the topics make sense. Pick what you want to change.

But I think each topic needs it's own place as a sub topic. We can't have "nothing worked on mine" and then a post saying "my doors worked, but my windows didn't".


Cover that some needed a rod, some needed a cable, some needed the child lock changed, etc. All the details in one place.

The basics for making the SSV/PPV "usable" (rear windows and doors, etc. ) are already here, it would be nice to get it organized.

 

[Ron C]

^^^ Yep^^^

If you're going to get in too deep get something else.

But the idea is good, and the topics make sense. Pick what you want to change.

But I think each topic needs it's own place as a sub topic. We can't have "nothing worked on mine" and then a post saying "my doors worked, but my windows didn't".


Cover that some needed a rod, some needed a cable, some needed the child lock changed, etc. All the details in one place.

The basics for making the SSV/PPV "usable" (rear windows and doors, etc. ) are already here, it would be nice to get it organized.

Right, maybe some sort of GIT with write ups is a good idea then, you can divide that up in sections, and per section a write up for a specific problem.

 

[Ron C]

Some of this stuff is probably not economically feasible to retrofit, after all this is why we buy ours to begin with, I saved ten grand by not having all that ******** that is unneeded. If you find the need for all the goodies go buy one with all the bells and whistles.
To add some of that stuff you are going to have to change wiring harnesses. Forget adding OnStar and Bluetooth. Rear seat a/c controls and rear seat entertainment, forget that also.


I agree maybe a sticky for the basics, like a DIC and a Steering wheel, Easy stuff and cheap. Door locks and window switches, also the wiring diagrams that are in the police manual supplement. Those will help with the horn, front speakers, roof light and flashing lights.

adding a console is easy if you can operate a ratchet.

As always this is just my 2cents

Agree with that BUT, there at some point is always some one around us that figures out how to do rear seat audio, it's unlikely, there are always those among US that tinker, or have an idea.

 

[Ron C]

On that token, not a functional issue, but did anyone ever put a luggage rack back on? just to get rid of the plugs?

 

[Lightning 95]

I gave up on trying to get my front speakers to work, and just spliced in new wires around the dash harness hidden connection I couldn't find short of taking the whole dash apart.

 

[Ron C]

Did anyone ever upgrade to a nicer rear view mirror, I am looking for one that has an "auto dim" feature, I really like that. Anything else that would work is just an extra. (One that does hook up to the front dome light bezel 'stuff' ?) I have a 2013 Tahoe SSV

 

[jmm121783]

woohooo!!! thanks guys I love the support the forum has!

yea I understand some stuff take a lot work, but even to have the information all accessible will stop the numbers of threads like I'm starting ( LOL ) looking for answers.

I can do write ups for sure especially if someone has the basic instructions I can snaz it up and summarize it.

It amazes me the rear speakers arent simply disconnected behind the speaker I mean where the hell could it be disconnected? Id love a luggage rack but that will require drilling for sure.

 

[jmm121783]

Did anyone ever upgrade to a nicer rear view mirror, I am looking for one that has an "auto dim" feature, I really like that. Anything else that would work is just an extra. (One that does hook up to the front dome light bezel 'stuff' ?) I have a 2013 Tahoe SSV

I got one from a 2007 Sierra and the pinout is different so it doesnt even get power, gotta talk to the guy I bought it but that guy did a frame off resto on a 2011 SSV and its beauitful...Hes done a ton of the hard stuff like the power mirrors, satillete, fog lights, DRLs, Tahoe 2000 second row seats that fold flat, a bunch of really nice stuff. Should try to get him on here.

I gave up on trying to get my front speakers to work, and just spliced in new wires around the dash harness hidden connection I couldn't find short of taking the whole dash apart.

Hidden harness?

 

[Ron C]

woohooo!!! thanks guys I love the support the forum has!

yea I understand some stuff take a lot work, but even to have the information all accessible will stop the numbers of threads like I'm starting ( LOL ) looking for answers.

I can do write ups for sure especially if someone has the basic instructions I can snaz it up and summarize it.

It amazes me the rear speakers arent simply disconnected behind the speaker I mean where the hell could it be disconnected? Id love a luggage rack but that will require drilling for sure.

Mine came originally equipped with a luggage rack, the holes are there, they are just capped off with some sort of rubber/silicone cap.

I wonder if your audio wasn't disconnected somewhere near the radio. I noticed my radio doesn't seem to have a balance that would goes between front/rear instead of left-right (My Jeep GC has that) and if it does, maybe it was just turned 'off', all the way forward?

 

[Ron C]

I got one from a 2007 Sierra and the pinout is different so it doesnt even get power, gotta talk to the guy I bought it but that guy did a frame off resto on a 2011 SSV and its beauitful...Hes done a ton of the hard stuff like the power mirrors, satillete, fog lights, DRLs, Tahoe 2000 second row seats that fold flat, a bunch of really nice stuff. Should try to get him on here.



Hidden harness?

RE: mirror; I don't mind buying an OEM one, on Ebay I saw they are not too expensive, but is there a short harness or so, that plugs into the mirror as well as into the dome area? (and hope the computer doesn't need to be told)

 

[MidwestMike]

On that token, not a functional issue, but did anyone ever put a luggage rack back on? just to get rid of the plugs?

On the luggage rack, I have read others state the holes or the marks for the holes are there, but I don't see anything on mine.

Would like a luggage rack, although if I drill holes in the roof I do picture having to chase down leaks.

 

[Ron C]

On the luggage rack, I have read others state the holes or the marks for the holes are there, but I don't see anything on mine.

Would like a luggage rack, although if I drill holes in the roof I do picture having to chase down leaks.

I think some SSVs/PPVs probably came with one, some didn't .. mine factory had one, but was removed, and the holes were plugged. I also had that idea of "what if it starts leaking when I put it back?"

But it probably looks better with the rack and without the plugs.

I wonder if someone has done that before, re-installed the luggage rack (are there already nuts, or whatever in there? does the liner on the inside need to come off? etc etc etc)

 

[MidwestMike]

Plenty of information here on installing the roof rack, but it's all over the place. Still some people saying theirs came without a rack but it is setup to install one.

https://www.google.com/search?num=1......0...1.1.64.psy-ab..13.0.0....0.m5UztejZOpU
https://www.google.com/search?num=1......0...1.1.64.psy-ab..13.0.0....0.m5UztejZOpU
And one of the threads really caught my eye, 3M tape. ( I know, I know..0

But if you have ever used it. Check Home Depot, they make three versions. I used the middle version to hold a bunch of chrome a vibrating bike without any issues.

Yes, rails are larger, wind resistance, load, etc. But you have a lot of surface area for the tape. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HM7S...t=&hvlocphy=9021617&hvtargid=pla-312239925783

 

[Ron C]

Plenty of information here on installing the roof rack, but it's all over the place. Still some people saying theirs came without a rack but it is setup to install one.

https://www.google.com/search?num=100&safe=off&ei=X9YNWsbeBoTQ0gTNi7LoCA&q=site:tahoeyukonforum.com+install+roof+rack&oq=site:tahoeyukonforum.com+install+roof+rack&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2063.13981.0.14240.25.19.3.0.0.0.423.2090.1j5j0j3j1.10.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..13.0.0....0.m5UztejZOpU
And one of the threads really caught my eye, 3M tape. ( I know, I know..0

But if you have ever used it. Check Home Depot, they make three versions. I used the middle version to hold a bunch of chrome a vibrating bike without any issues.

Yes, rails are larger, wind resistance, load, etc. But you have a lot of surface area for the tape. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HM7S...t=&hvlocphy=9021617&hvtargid=pla-312239925783

I don't really know about the first line, I saw links about people installing these "cross bars" on already existing rails of a roof rack?


I used that red tape to stick a traffic sign to a wall one time, at work, used the stuff because we couldn't ********* the walls. Apparently it came off one time, causing enough noise and vibrations to make sensors go off and have guys with guns run down the hallway. (took a while before they found out what it was, I forgot about the sign because I was on a vacation.)

Any who... I think I rather bolt it down

 

[2011SSVHOE]

here are a couple of wiring diagrams.

I hope this helps, these are for 2011 models

 

[2011SSVHOE]

Here will explain some options

Specs

Now we have sticky stuff !!!!

 

[2011SSVHOE]

one more