Trailer brake controller on 09 Denali?

[stevek]

I know there was an option for the integrated trailer brake controller on the Denali, but I don't have it. For $200 what parts does it actually come with? Part numbers?

 

[stevek]

At least I don't think I have it...

 

[mike1944]

Don't know if this helps....

My 2010 came with it. This is what you get.

Never used it but according to the dealer salesman you can crank up/down the amount of applied trailer brake pressure when you step on the brakes, and/or you can squeeze the two top knobs together and apply the trailer brake.

If I recall correctly, I think the DIC shows you something about how much pressure is being applied.

 

[stevek]

Yep don't have that... gotta go find the parts now

edit: Is it even possible?

 

[doubletapdrew]

From what I've been able to find out it cannot be retrofitted to vehicles that didn't come with that option (we've had customers ask) since there are a lot of parts besides the actual controller unit. You'd be better off (and it would be much cheaper) to get a good aftermarket unit and integrate it into the dash.

 

[stevek]

I mean I read on gm-trucks that if you don't have JL1 you can't get it, but I don't think anyone has said anything about it being on a Denali (already having the HD towing package, aux tranny cooler, etc). Maybe my best bet is to just go to the dealer. It seems stupid that a $200 option on a Denali is such a hassle.

 

[doubletapdrew]

It's not the towing pkg/coolers that are different, there is a lot more

This is from a gm-trucks thread about adding it:

Forget it....The master cylinder,brake booster,chassis wiring,dash trim panel,BCM programming is all different,Not to mention the truck must be equipped with Stabilitrak,You also have to add other parts such as a brake controller module and relay.

Sucks because I'd like to add it to mine too but I'll just go for a $100 tekonsha prodigy like I had in my 2500HD, it worked very well.

 

[stevek]

It's not the towing pkg/coolers that are different, there is a lot more

This is from a gm-trucks thread about adding it:


Sucks because I'd like to add it to mine too but I'll just go for a $100 tekonsha prodigy like I had in my 2500HD, it worked very well.

Well I know I saw that thread, and it says that stuff must be equipped, but with the HD towing package, it has all of those things. I'll just go to the dealership sometime this week and ask about it.

The Denali's all have the HD towing package standard. If you go to build a Yukon on the gmc website, for regular Yukons, you need to add the HD towing package in order to get the integrated controller. For Denali's, all you can add is the integrated controller for $200. I know it would be more than $200 to change all my stuff, but I don't want some ugly thing hanging around by my knees. Plus with the integration, it displays info on the DIC about the trailer brakes and warnings about trailer shorts, losing the trailer connection, etc.

 

[IrishTR]

Stevek what year Denali do you have? I've got a 2008 Yukon XL Denali, I'm curious if it is a possible factory option for mine as well. Please post what you hear back from the dealer. I'll also inquire next time with mine (won't be for a couple months unless there are any problems lol).

 

[stevek]

Stevek what year Denali do you have? I've got a 2008 Yukon XL Denali, I'm curious if it is a possible factory option for mine as well. Please post what you hear back from the dealer. I'll also inquire next time with mine (won't be for a couple months unless there are any problems lol).

2009. I think 09 was the first year they offered the integrated controller, might be 2008 though. I'm going to head over to the dealership probably Saturday. It's a busy week with a lot of work to do, but I'll definitely head over there then... hopefully.

 

[doubletapdrew]

It looks like it has been done, I found this:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245484

I went and snapped pics of the master cylinder on a 2011 Denali we've got in stock with that option, and my 2007 Denali (without that option obviously) to see the differences. Looks like the master cyl and brake booster are different

2011 with JL1:

2007 without JL1:

However I took a pic of an identical 2011 without JL1 and it looked the same as the one with the JL1 option so maybe at some point (like when that became an option) they changed the master cylinders/boosters

2011 without JL1:

I'm interested to find out how easy or difficult it is to retrofit it if you do this!

 

[stevek]

It looks like it has been done, I found this:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245484

I went and snapped pics of the master cylinder on a 2011 Denali we've got in stock with that option, and my 2007 Denali (without that option obviously) to see the differences. Looks like the master cyl and brake booster are different

2011 with JL1:

2007 without JL1:

However I took a pic of an identical 2011 without JL1 and it looked the same as the one with the JL1 option so maybe at some point (like when that became an option) they changed the master cylinders/boosters

2011 without JL1:

I'm interested to find out how easy or difficult it is to retrofit it if you do this!

I'm going to try to see what needs to happen for this

 

[zach2011]

Looks like a neat part, but programming your truck to a different VIN will seriously cause some issues. However, there will be less issues if you happen to find a VIN from a vehicle exactly like yours with this added option. There should not be a problem with that, but dealers aren't always willing to do this.

Either way, good luck on getting it installed Steve, if you go that route. Keep us posted.

 

[stevek]

Wait doubletapdrew you work at a dealership?

I have the same master as your 2007. Why would I have to get my VIN reprogrammed?

 

[stevek]

Parts dept at one dealership said it couldn't be done but he seemed a little stupid. The actual button was $3x.xx, the harness was $3xx.xx and a few other things. Then he said something about having the wrong frame. Who knows... aftermarket here I come.

 

[doubletapdrew]

Wait doubletapdrew you work at a dealership?

I have the same master as your 2007. Why would I have to get my VIN reprogrammed?

Yes I work for a GMC dealership. I think it needs to be reprogrammed to play nice with the ECM (basically tell the truck it now has a brake controller) since the factory brake controller displays info on the DIC and the master cylinder tells the unit how much brake pressure to apply to the trailer brakes since it's electronically variable.

I've never heard anything about a different frame unless he's thinking about the 2500HD trucks with that option, but since the option can be had on light duty trucks, they haven't changed the frame since 2007 as far as I'm aware (except for the 2011 HD series but that's a whole different animal).

Why does it have to be so complicated? I'd like to rip the whole kaboodle out of one of the new trucks and see if it'll work in my 2007 but I don't think our GMC sales manager would like that much, haha.

I'll go see if the parts dept. has any ideas.

---------- Post added at 03:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

Ok both the parts dept and shop said they don't know if it can be done and haven't had any requests for it yet. The shop manager said he'd have to look into all that's required to do it and figures GM recommends an aftermarket controller because it's not cost effective to swap the factory one in. I'd agree, someone listed the parts required on another forum and it totalled something like $1,100 in parts alone (plus however many hours of labor it would take to install and get it working correctly).
Anyway, I had good results with the Tekonsha Prodigy aftermarket brake controller in my 2007 2500HD! haha. It was about $100 or $120 or something and pretty easy to install.

 

[mike1944]

Here's some info about info that shows on the DIC.

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[FSUDAVE]

Any update on this???

I've searched everywhere and still haven't found anyone who has successfully done this. Except for the guy who spent $1000 in parts. I just bought a 2011 Tahoe LT with trailer package but no controller. I'm hoping that since they are now available as an actual option, that most of the parts would be the same. It looks like you need the knee bolster, switch and brake relay. My only problem is that I can't locate the plug near the back that goes into the relay. So I'm thinking you may need a whole new wire harness?

Has anyone else come up with any new information? Thanks!

 

[domin8]

Hmm, interesting.