Help! Can I swap a 2005 steering column into a 2001 to get radio controls?

[AllenF]

Hi Folks,

I am in the midst of a project to put a 1956 Chevy pickup on a 2001 Tahoe LS, and I would like to have steering wheel controls. The columns up to 2006 look the same, but has anyone swapped these out completely and gotten the radio controls to work? I am not going back with the factory radio, but I still want radio control. It looks like getting a full upper column will be a lot cheaper than buying the parts individually. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,

Allen

 

[Scottydoggs]

its the clock spring that makes the radio controls work. you will need to find the plug it goes to, not sure if it hits the radio, or the harness to the radio, if working in a junk yard you can do some csi work there.

 

[adriver]

I'm sure there are more 03-06 wheels out there. You might like the look or the button placement better, but you COULD just get a 99-02 wheel with controls.



Here's one.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/99-02-Chev...40AAOSwBfhb3K9o:rk:28:pf:0&LH_ItemCondition=4

 

[trevcda]

If the electronics for the remote are contained within the steering wheel, you would also need an after market steering wheel audio control adapter, to convert whatever factory radio protocol it uses to whatever your aftermarket deck is.

However, if it's just buttons and the electronics are in the OEM radio, you might go with an after market deck that has a remote included with it. Crack the remote open and hard wire the buttons you need to the wheels button and route the IR emitter to the back right-hand side of the wheel so it points at the deck when driving straight. It may not work in other wheel positions, but nobody else needs to know that! If you're particularly crafty, you might find another pair of wires from the wheel and route the IR to someplace the radio can always see it. Hide the electronics where the airbag would go, presuming you're not going to using the airbag in the new install. Be careful around un-activated airbags, they can be dangerous.

 

[ScottyBoy]

This has been documented on several GM truck forums ever since the mid 2000's. To make a long story short, NO it can not be done. In 03, GM had a COMPLETE wire harness overhaul on these trucks. Beginning in 03, they switched to a Databus wiring system. Basically, EVERYTHING talks to the computer in order to work. So unless you are willing to swap in a COMPLETE 03 body harness and computer along with that 03 column, it's not going to work. Same thing goes for the 03 airbags. The more viable option is to get the pre-03 steering wheel buttons and clockspring like @adriver showed above. These came on the 02 Escalade, the 01-02 Denali, and the 98-03 Blazer (NOT a Trailblazer), GMC Jimmy, and Olds Bravada.