Can I eliminate rear stereo controls w/o losing any functions ?

[NoReverseYukon]

I want to start removing the unused components of the stereo in my 2001 Yukon while keeping the in-dash receiver for as long as possible.

The remote tape deck is easy to remove, so if that causes problems I can easily re-install it.

But removing that rear control panel is more involved, and I'd hate to remove it only to discover that it causes me to lose the rear speakers. I've read somewhere that this happens in some NBS years.

If any of you have done this, I would appreciate knowing what the result was.

Thanks.

 

[915_Tahoe]

I deleted the rear radio control and harness leading to the back of radio. Didn't effect anything in my truck since I did that. I found stock radio delete panel and installed it.


I'm actually selling the stock delete panel's if your interested, let me know.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

Thanks for the good info.

During one of my junkyard trips, I found one of those panels. That is what got me thinking about doing this.
I do appreciate the offer though.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

So, I was planning my console rear panel swap/radio delete today.

As those of you who have already done this, you know swapping these panels out isn't all that fun. We all break those 2 little plastic tabs along the bottom no matter how careful. And that new storage area is a joke. Plus, we lose the auxiliary power outlet.

Well, I thought " to hell with this !" and set out to find another way. I first found a storage cubby from a 2003+ model and set out to shape it to fit. No amount of shaping gave me the result I wanted.

Plus, I would have to remove the panel to secure it in place. ( the panels in the above images are extras ).

Back to square 1.

I spent 3 hours today walking up and down the rows of the junkyard trucks/suvs determined to find a solution. Nothing worked until I spotted a vehicle that is a rarity in the junkyards around my home. I saw a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. I looked in the back and thought to myself " holy shit !"

And it fits perfectly.

So, to make this long story short. If you're contemplating removing those rear audio controls, don't think swapping panels is your only option. Just find a Buick Rendezvous or Pontiac Aztek and you'll find your solution.

One less headache I have to deal with.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

Is there a secret to removing that rear control faceplate w/o breaking it ?

There must be some tabs, but where and how many ?

 

[915_Tahoe]

Where is that part located on the rendezvous

 

[NoReverseYukon]

It was in the back of the center console. The years I found it in were 2003 and 2004.

BTW, 915_Tahoe. Your information regarding removing the rear audio controls w/o losing the rear speakers wasn't accurate in my case. You must have done something in addition to just unplugging it to get the rears to function.
Seems as if I need to install jumpers across all top and bottom wires in the connector plug to allow removal of those controls.

 

[ivin74]

I spent 3 hours today walking up and down the rows of the junkyard trucks/suvs determined to find a solution. Nothing worked until I spotted a vehicle that is a rarity in the junkyards around my home. I saw a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. I looked in the back and thought to myself " holy shit !"
And it fits
So, to make this long story short. If you're contemplating removing those rear audio controls, don't think swapping panels is your only option. Just find a Buick Rendezvous or Pontiac Aztek and you'll find your solution.

One less headache I have to deal with.

Great mod.

 

[915_Tahoe]

No, I didnt do anything else besides removing the rear control and deleting the harness. Now not sure if it matters if the truck has Bose which mine does not just the non-Bose amp and sub.

 

[915_Tahoe]

This is the harness I deleted, which is a jumper harness.

Main harness connects to this jumper then routes to rear control back to the radio.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

This is the harness I deleted, which is a jumper harness.

Main harness connects to this jumper then routes to rear control back to the radio.

View attachment 238396

Now I got it. All I thought you did was just disconnect the rear controls and left everything else intact. The jumper in the photo is the 1 going back to those rear controls ?

My dash trim is still off, so will be easy to remove.

Thanks.

edit ; went back and re-read your earlier post. Stupid me, you mentioned the harness.

 

[915_Tahoe]

so just got to work and found the compartment but it is not a serviceable part so only way to get it is by salvage yard. cause if you get at the dealer it only comes with the rear console panel not separate.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

Yeah, I thought it odd that there was no part # on it.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

Ok, I disconnected the jumper harness but still have only front speakers. In the photo below, 3 ( and 4 obviously ) were connected to the back of the head unit. I would imagine 2 & 3 are part of the jumper harness, so I separated 1 & 2 and plugged 1 into the head unit. That is what gave me front speakers only.

I am stumped, what to try next ?

 

[915_Tahoe]

when i get home i'll see if i still have the harness there and get good pics.

if i remember i pulled the harness 3/4 out, and that leaves you with 1/4. Which i only used 4 to connect the aftermarket radio harness and left 1 just hanging there but i ran the remote wire from the new radio harness to a lead on #1.

quick question, are you still on factory speakers or did you upgrade them. my stock rear speakers were dead and i also had no sound, as soon as i replaced them they worked.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

when i get home i'll see if i still have the harness there and get good pics.

if i remember i pulled the harness 3/4 out, and that leaves you with 1/4. Which i only used 4 to connect the aftermarket radio harness and left 1 just hanging there but i ran the remote wire from the new radio harness to a lead on #1.

quick question, are you still on factory speakers or did you upgrade them. my stock rear speakers were dead and i also had no sound, as soon as i replaced them they worked.

If you used a new harness, I believe I found the problem. I am going about this attempting to use only original wiring ( minus the jumper harness I am trying to delete ).

Everything is stock and all speakers worked before I began this project.

 

[915_Tahoe]

This is the harness I'm taking about cause I added the pioneer head unit

 

[NoReverseYukon]

Well, back to square 1 again. My head unit is stock.

 

[ivin74]

So, I was planning my console rear panel swap/radio delete today.

As those of you who have already done this, you know swapping these panels out isn't all that fun. We all break those 2 little plastic tabs along the bottom no matter how careful. And that new storage area is a joke. Plus, we lose the auxiliary power outlet.

View attachment 238200
Well, I thought " to hell with this !" and set out to find another way. I first found a storage cubby from a 2003+ model and set out to shape it to fit. No amount of shaping gave me the result I wanted.View attachment 238201
Plus, I would have to remove the panel to secure it in place. ( the panels in the above images are extras ).

Back to square 1.

I spent 3 hours today walking up and down the rows of the junkyard trucks/suvs determined to find a solution. Nothing worked until I spotted a vehicle that is a rarity in the junkyards around my home. I saw a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. I looked in the back and thought to myself " holy shit !" View attachment 238202
And it fits perfectly.View attachment 238203
So, to make this long story short. If you're contemplating removing those rear audio controls, don't think swapping panels is your only option. Just find a Buick Rendezvous or Pontiac Aztek and you'll find your solution.

One less headache I have to deal with.

I just bought that cuby trim for my center console on fleabay, thanks for the write up.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

I just bought that cuby trim for my center console on fleabay, thanks for the write up.

Glad I could help. Went back to the junkyard today and found 9 more.

Maybe I should start selling these, if anyone is interested.