XLDenali06's Build Thread

[XLDenali06]

Oh, and video 2 is dedicated to the backup camera, and comes on when the car is put in reverse, as well as being able to cycle to it with the button. (That is, provided you power your rearview camera to something that is on when the car is on, rather than powering it to the backup lights.) Since I powered my backup camera via the backup lights, it is only on when I'm in reverse, so when I cycle over to it via the button, it says "no camera detected" since it's not got power. Just one more thing to eventually rewire, but since I don't tow anything, I don't gave much reason to check the backup camera unless I'm actually backing up. So, the way it is serves my purposes. Hope all that makes sense.

 

[XLDenali06]

Am I understanding correctly that the leads for the "source" button are part of the navtool and just need to be hooked up to a momentary switch?

Correct. The navtool handles all the switching. You just need to provide 12 volts for a second to trigger it to switch displays. Here's a screenshot of the instructions they include with it that have to do with that part of the wiring.

 

[adventurenali92]

Interesting on the backup cam. Mine is powered to constant power, so I can hit the camera select even when I'm driving and use the camera. Which is great for the little jet ski trailer I tow to put in and out of the water for my aunt. I can keep the camera constantly on to make sure everything is legit while I'm rolling and I really like that. And then it also comes up in reverse. Which camera did you sue for the front? I'm thinking I want something similar as I was thinking to mount it exactly like you did. Except maybe on the low edge instead of top. But either way it works!

 

[XLDenali06]

Interesting on the backup cam. Mine is powered to constant power, so I can hit the camera select even when I'm driving and use the camera. Which is great for the little jet ski trailer I tow to put in and out of the water for my aunt. I can keep the camera constantly on to make sure everything is legit while I'm rolling and I really like that. And then it also comes up in reverse. Which camera did you sue for the front? I'm thinking I want something similar as I was thinking to mount it exactly like you did. Except maybe on the low edge instead of top. But either way it works!

Yeah, as long as I change how the backup camera is powered, I'll be able to check it at any time as well as it coming on when in reverse. One of these days I'll change it, but it's on the backburner for now. Out of curiosity, what did you tap into to power your backup camera? I'd love to not have to run wires the length of the truck again.

The front facing camera I used is this one:

https://amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017GC4GTA

 

[adventurenali92]

Yeah, as long as I change how the backup camera is powered, I'll be able to check it at any time as well as it coming on when in reverse. One of these days I'll change it, but it's on the backburner for now. Out of curiosity, what did you tap into to power your backup camera? I'd love to not have to run wires the length of the truck again.

The front facing camera I used is this one:

https://amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017GC4GTA

That's a great price for that cam haha. Might just have to pick that up now. Lol. I couldn't tell you what my rear cam is tapped into. I didn't install myself. Had my whole stereo and cam done at a professional audio shop. Because wires and I don't get along at all. Especially cuz this truck has a crap ton of wires involved with the stereo! Lol.sorry. .

 

[XLDenali06]

That's a great price for that cam haha. Might just have to pick that up now. Lol. I couldn't tell you what my rear cam is tapped into. I didn't install myself. Had my whole stereo and cam done at a professional audio shop. Because wires and I don't get along at all. Especially cuz this truck has a crap ton of wires involved with the stereo! Lol.sorry. .

I know what you mean. A big part of the reason I procrastinate installing things sometimes is because I'm afraid I'll screw something up. So far, so good though.

I got to compare the new LED headlight bulb to the stock halogen. It makes a WORLD of difference! Keep in mind, these pics are looking through 50% tint on the windshield. First is both lights, then just the LED, and last is just the halogen. I'm blown away by the difference.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I know what you mean. A big part of the reason I procrastinate installing things sometimes is because I'm afraid I'll screw something up. So far, so good though.

I got to compare the new LED headlight bulb to the stock halogen. It makes a WORLD of difference! Keep in mind, these pics are looking through 50% tint on the windshield. First is both lights, then just the LED, and last is just the halogen. I'm blown away by the difference.

View attachment 179221 View attachment 179222 View attachment 179223 View attachment 179224

I love my led headlights. Huge difference!

 

[adventurenali92]

Oh yeah major difference! Looks good!

 

[XLDenali06]

Over the last few days I've mounted a big mag light at the bottom of my glove box, mounted my fire extinguisher in the back, and removed the Denali door badges (still got some stubborn adhesive to remove and polishing to do). Got my oil catch can in the mail today, but it didn't have any of the connectors and whatnot, looks like they sent out a customer return and tried to pass it off as new (Amazon purchase) so I'm sending it back and getting another. I should have my Airaid m.i.t. tomorrow though, so I'm looking forward to that. Maybe I'll get the replacement catch can in time to put it on this weekend.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Looking really good!

 

[XLDenali06]

Finally got my dead TPMS replaced. That dang message on the DIC had been driving me nuts. I'd bought a new one back in April, but just now got over to a shop to swap them out. The manager at the tire place tried to tell me that reprogramming them would be a pain. Psh. He just didn't know. Lol.

Headed to the tint shop to have them redo my windshield because it had a few wrinkles right at eye level on the driver side - small, but drove me nuts. Then when I got back home I programmed all my TPM sensors. While I was airing up the tires afterwards, I decided to try my hand at cutting off the bolt that keeps the seat from reclining all the way. I still need to grease up the end threads, but I'm really impressed by the difference! I didn't bother with the driver side just yet because it's a pain to try to do using my drill with a dremel cut-off wheel (my dremel broke and I haven't replaced it yet).

My old TPM sensor:


The new one:


The nut that prevents the seats from fully reclining:


The nut once it was finally off:


The newly modified passenger seat fully reclined versus the full recline of the stock driver seat:

 

[XLDenali06]

Shortly after I came in to cool off a bit, the mail ran and my Airaid MIT was here, so I got out there and put that on real quick.



I checked my MAF while I had everything apart. I'm no expert, but that thing looks clean as a whistle to me. Same with the TB. All evidence points to a previous owner that really took care of this truck. 200,000 miles and it don't look like it has half that on it!

 

[adventurenali92]

That airaid setup looks rad! Never knew you could mod the seat to do tha! Now I want to do that haha. First I gotta figure out why it's stuck and won't go all the way to the furthest back sliding position though....

 

[XLDenali06]

That airaid setup looks rad! Never knew you could mod the seat to do tha! Now I want to do that haha. First I gotta figure out why it's stuck and won't go all the way to the furthest back sliding position though....

Yeah, there's a post somewhere in the Tech section on how to do the seat recline mod. Everybody said that on that passenger side the nut was sort of encased within a spring and a plastic cone. There's was nothing like that on mine. Don't know if they did things differently with the Denali. Who knows with GM. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find no cumbersome extras under there - just the nut that needed removing. Supposedly the same on the driver side. I haven't checked yet.

Hope you get your seat gremlins figured out. It sucks to have things going on that you don't know why. Lord knows I've run into those types of things with our other cars. So far though, this one has been a gem. Knock on wood!

 

[XLDenali06]

My oil catch can came in the mail today and I got it installed. You should have seen me climbing into my engine bay. My 13 month-old daughter insisted that my husband sit her on the radiator shroud, and then she turned around and wanted to climb in the engine compartment like Mommy. Lol. When I hit finished and he started to carry her back into the house, she just screamed and screamed and pitched the biggest fit. Lol.

My Homelink "bridge" module also came in today, so I got it programmed and working. Added some wire loom over my front camera and light bar wiring. All in all, a pretty good day.

 

[Tonyrodz]

My oil catch can came in the mail today and I got it installed. You should have seen me coming into my engine bay. My 13 month-old daughter insisted that my husband sit her on the radiator shroud, and then she turned around and wanted to climb in the engine compartment like Mommy. Lol. When I hit finished and he started to carry her back into the house, she just screamed and screamed and pitched the biggest fit. Lol.

My Homelink "bridge" module also came in today, so I got it programmed and working. Added some wire loom over my front camera and light bar wiring. All in all, a pretty good day.

View attachment 180286

Looking good. Maybe your little girl wants to learn her way around the engine just like mommy! Lol, not a bad thing.

 

[XLDenali06]

Looking good. Maybe your little girl wants to learn her way around the engine just like mommy! Lol, not a bad thing.

That's what my husband was saying. She's gonna be one of those girls changing the oil with me at 2 years old.

 

[Tonyrodz]

That's what my husband was saying. She's gonna be one of those girls changing the oil with me at 2 years old.

Nothing wrong with that!!

 

[XLDenali06]

Finally did the full recline seat mod to the driver side. Now both sides lay all the way back. If you do this mod, and it doesn't go all the way back, make sure to liberally grease the back threads. Chances are they're dusty and dry as a bone. For now I've just used done wd40, but I'm going to get some lithium grease and put that on there. Also, when you are getting started, lift the seat bottom all the way up to make getting the trim piece off easier.

 

[XLDenali06]

Just ordered Bilstein 5100 shocks for all 4 corners, Moog Z71 springs, 1.5" spring spacers, lift keys, longer front sway bar end links from Moog, spring insulators, resistors for replacing the shocks, and a torsion bar unloading tool. I'm lifting my black beauty up a few inches, and I'm excited!!! Anybody got any tips in general? Or specific to the XL Denali? I feel like I've read and read and read, but still feel a little unprepared. Think I'll need to compress the Z71 springs to get them in place of the 200k+ non-Z71s? Should I get longer rear end links since I'm going with the slightly taller springs plus the 1.5" spacers?