Center console question

[Jbirdstruck]

Hi All,
I just got an 11 ppv Tahoe and am planning on installing a center console. After reading up a bit on here and the net I see that you cannot use any of the controls that tend to come on used floor consoles. I have also seen that some have replaced those controls with a cubby/cup holder from a Silverado. My question is can I simply install a 2011 Silverado console in my 2011 Tahoe? Thanks for any help!!

 

[Ron C]

Hi Jay,

yeah the install is actually pretty forward. Your ppv probably has the basic radio and no video consoles, and if rear seat air, it's in the ceiling? Then more than likely you don't have the wiring harness in the dash to hook that console up. Some used ones come with audio/video, air. Physically it fits.

I indeed put a cubby in the back (because it looked weird to have that audio thing there and not working).

I also put navigation and a backup camera in, for the OEM navigation you need an amplifier (there are plugin models) and there is enough room under the console and in the dash to put all that in. (I actually added an SSD so all my music is in the car too. For a bit I also had a raspberry PI3 in there, so I could wirelessly connect through wifi.

But Anyway, putting the console in is pretty easy, using the controls it comes with pretty much impossible unless you completely redo the dash harness. the updates I did are pretty easy.

Ron

 

[MD Tahoe 13]

I put a used Silverado console into my 2013 SSV. I bought it on eBay. Didn’t bother trying to connect any of the wiring based on what I read. It was a pretty easy install. There are a few threads on the site with good instructions if you do a search. I had to cut into some of the plastic on the underside of the console to make it fit over the black box on the floor between the two front seats.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

I put a used Silverado console into my 2013 SSV. I bought it on eBay. Didn’t bother trying to connect any of the wiring based on what I read. It was a pretty easy install. There are a few threads on the site with good instructions if you do a search. I had to cut into some of the plastic on the underside of the console to make it fit over the black box on the floor between the two front seats.

What year Silverado? The one in my nnbs Sierra was longer than the Tahoe and had an extra cubby in the front.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

I think mine might have come out of an Avalanche. I did wire up the 12volt outlets though.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I think mine might have come out of an Avalanche. I did wire up the 12volt outlets though.

Mind sharing what you did on the 12v outlets as far as wiring them up? I'd like to put USB outlets in it where the "dead" accessory outlets are now. Did you wire to something under the dash already or into the fuse box?

 

[Ron C]

Mind sharing what you did on the 12v outlets as far as wiring them up? I'd like to put USB outlets in it where the "dead" accessory outlets are now. Did you wire to something under the dash already or into the fuse box?

I had two also, one in the storage area (under the lid) and one int the back. I hooked mine up to a keyed power wire that you can find under the carpet, near the roll over sensor. (on the middle of the "tranny tunnel"

I used that source also for a CB radio.

Ron

PS: black goes to sheet metal or so (I used a big eye and put it under a bolt under the dask, the frame that holds the steering column and center of the dash up (there are 4 10mm (or 11mm) or so bolts.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I had two also, one in the storage area (under the lid) and one int the back. I hooked mine up to a keyed power wire that you can find under the carpet, near the roll over sensor. (on the middle of the "tranny tunnel"

I used that source also for a CB radio.

Ron

PS: black goes to sheet metal or so (I used a big eye and put it under a bolt under the dask, the frame that holds the steering column and center of the dash up (there are 4 10mm (or 11mm) or so bolts.

Good deal. Thanks Ron.

 

[Ron C]

Good deal. Thanks Ron.

Hi Stephen,

There are also a few keyed power sockets in the connection/junction box near the brake pedal, I am using one of those for a backup camera. I posted that here, including a picture and diagram of that box.


Ron

 

[BourbonNcigars]

Hi Stephen,

There are also a few keyed power sockets in the connection/junction box near the brake pedal, I am using one of those for a backup camera. I posted that here, including a picture and diagram of that box.


Ron

Thanks Ron. I haven't poked around too much under there. Last weekend I ran power to the backup cam from behind the head unit but that's the only place I've checked out. I'll order my USB outlets and start working on the wiring layout this weekend.

 

[Ron C]

Thanks Ron. I haven't poked around too much under there. Last weekend I ran power to the backup cam from behind the head unit but that's the only place I've checked out. I'll order my USB outlets and start working on the wiring layout this weekend.

Hi Stephen

For the USBs (charging only) I got a GM part, that had the whole panel and used the USB ports, that was way cheaper than getting the individual USB/lighter ones (you'd need a power converter though to go down from 12v )

Ron

 

[Jbirdstruck]

Wow! You guys are awesome!! This is my first post, but I can tell this is a valuable resource!

I will try to get at the heart of my original question. I do not want rear entertainment or ac or radio. I do want cup holders, cubby and 12v outlet. Is there a console I can get that is already set up that way (Silverado, avalanche, other). Or do I have to buy with ent, ac, radio and change it out. When I look online I see two options for the Tahoe. One is the entertainment option, and I thought the only other way to get it was with the ac/radio controls. I am really not familiar with these Tahoes and their options!

Thanks!

PS! Thanks for all the replies and for helping with the wiring (which probably would have been my next question!)

 

[Ron C]

Wow! You guys are awesome!! This is my first post, but I can tell this is a valuable resource!

I will try to get at the heart of my original question. I do not want rear entertainment or ac or radio. I do want cup holders, cubby and 12v outlet. Is there a console I can get that is already set up that way (Silverado, avalanche, other). Or do I have to buy with entertainment, AC, radio and change it out. When I look online I see two options for the Tahoe. One is the entertainment option, and I thought the only other way to get it was with the ac/radio controls. I am really not familiar with these Tahoes and their options!

Thanks!

PS! Thanks for all the replies and for helping with the wiring (which probably would have been my next question!)

Hello Jay,

I have the impression that most of them come with "something" in there, usually audio, sometimes, audio/video, sometimes AC controls, and probably rarely a "cubby" (that is how I found out there are cubbies for it).

It seems (of course) that the rare ones are more expensive. So if you want to go 'basic' just get the best bang for your buck model (on ebay or so) for your truck, and take out what you don't need.

I cut off the connectors from the (typical) part of harness that is in there and wired it up with a few feet of red/black wire so I can reach the keyed power near the roll over sensor, and hook black to the dash/steering column frame. (I also connected the wireless phone charger, that I built into the console lid, to it, and a CB radio)

My center console came out of a Silverado LTZ, Chevy Silverado's )etc) Chevy Tahoe, Suburbun, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade (sp?) use a lot of the same trim/interior parts, it is just a matter of looking around.

Mine I bought for around $150, but needed a new rear trim piece, a front "extender" and of course that cubby. The nice thing about that console is that you can buy pretty much every part for it. (So if you find an inexpensive one, but with a crappy lid, you could replace the lid or the skin. There are trays, cup holders etc etc etc. Just browse on ebay or so to see what options you have.


(A bit over a year ago I jumped on an old thread about center consoles and Radio upgrade (to Nav etc), ever since I have see these old threads revived avery few weeks/months)


Ron

 

[Ron C]

Hi Stephen

For the USBs (charging only) I got a GM part, that had the whole panel and used the USB ports, that was way cheaper than getting the individual USB/lighter ones (you'd need a power converter though to go down from 12v )

Ron

PS: it's the part below the radio, there are two cigarette sockets, and the buttons for traction control, pedal adjustment etc etc. The one I bought had 2 sockets instead of cigarette lighters. The complete parts was something like $30, about the price of one USB socket. (the part was old model overstock, the USB sockets I found were not)

 

[Jbirdstruck]

Hey Thanks Ron!

That was exactly what I needed to know. I have read the other thread you mentioned and found a lot of the questions I had answered there. I am ordering this from a used parts dealer and I just wanted to make sure the rear part was not easy, or possible, to find already set up the way I want. I think you have cleared that up for me. AND, I just gotta say the wireless charger idea and advice is AWESOME!!!
Thanks Ron!

 

[Ron C]

Hey Thanks Ron!

That was exactly what I needed to know. I have read the other thread you mentioned and found a lot of the questions I had answered there. I am ordering this from a used parts dealer and I just wanted to make sure the rear part was not easy, or possible, to find already set up the way I want. I think you have cleared that up for me. AND, I just gotta say the wireless charger idea and advice is AWESOME!!!
Thanks Ron!

The wireless charger is actually pretty easy to do. The only thing I changed afterwards was to use a USB cable that has a braided outside instead of plastic/rubber. The rubber/plastic one got pinched/frayed, the braided usb cable doesn't seem to have that problem.
(I also found out that there are differences between the wireless chargers. Double coil ones work better, I bought an inexpensive one, took it apart, and the coil seems the ********* the lid pretty good.

If you need part numbers, if I didn't mention them, I can probably find those somewhere in my email and such. Trim parts vary in price (on ebay) a lot, from ridiculous expensive to ridiculous inexpensive.. it's a matter of shopping around a bit.

Ron

 

[balln2k11]

I pulled mine from a wrecked Hybrid. Ended up paying $100 for it, then had to repaint it (i needed black and bought grey) so that came from touchupdirect.com (2 cans) + matt clear (2 cans). I then purchased a new armrest cover in black on eBay for like $30 and paid around $20 to have professional installed by upholstery shop.

Pulling the center console yourself is a fun challenge. I had to remove the two front seats as the seats cover the console mounts. Installing is the same.

The console I pulled does have the rear air controls. Can’t use so I removed it (and will sell one day on eBay) and in it’s place, glued a small piece of Plexyglass in its spot. In the past I added 5% window tint on the plexyglass then glued in. This time I used high gloss vinyl wrap. Saves about $75-$100 trying to find a rear panel with the cubbie (like others have recommended). Plus with the small portion of plexyglass, you can cut in HDMI, USB, headphone connectors and more to connect with aftermarket radio.

 

[MD Tahoe 13]

What year Silverado? The one in my nnbs Sierra was longer than the Tahoe and had an extra cubby in the front.

Not exactly sure. It was just advertised as an '07-'14 console for Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, or Yukon on eBay.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

Not exactly sure. It was just advertised as an '07-'14 console for Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, or Yukon on eBay.

Here’s my Sierra

 

[RichardCranium]

It's all in what you want/expect out of it. I have a center console from a Tahoe that had rear audio, I don't give two ***** that it doesn't work.