UplevelDave
TYF Newbie
So I've done a lot of research online before the swap - I have a 2008 Tahoe LTZ that had factory navigation, and I installed a HDD nav radio from a 2012 Yukon in it using the adapter harness. The radio is properly configured to the truck, everything works great. Except...
For some reason, the radio will NOT turn on unless the engine is actually running. If you turn the key to accessory, nothing. Run.. nothing. Start the engine? Radio comes on. Turn the engine back off one key position? Radio is back off.
Let me start by saying it's not a wiring problem. This is a GMLAN or a radio problem. So the question is directed at someone who knows GMLAN a little more in-depth or has done this swap.
When I was first looking at doing the swap, a lot of websites that sell the whole setup say "Fits 2007-2014 Tahoe, Yukon etc" and then one or two places said "Fits 2009+, or doesn't work in 07-08 trucks" and one place I called... MVI maybe? The tech support guy said "No, there's electrical differences, the radio won't stay on in 07-08s" but couldn't elaborate. It made no sense to me because 07-14 Tahoes all use 29-bit GMLAN. And many others I spoke to said "That's nonsense, it works fine in 07-08 trucks" including the GM radios guy I bought my harness from and who did the radio programming.
All of that being said: I deal in auto salvage, I do know a fair amount about the GMT900 trucks, and there were subtle differences between 07-08 and 09+ trucks, parts did change like the power liftgate assembly and many electrical modules are 07-08 only. BUT: The body control module for this truck shows fitment from 2007-2011. So that alone tells you there aren't drastic differences.
The other issue I noticed is that the rear DVD screen no longer works. The backlighting and IR comes on so it's getting power, and the RSE/rear climate control on the back of the center console comes on and works just fine. But the screen will not show anything, I can only play movies up front.
It's strange how when you look into doing this swap, there's lots of forum success stories. There's instructional videos online, but: a) I can't find a single person who's done this on a 07-08 GMT900, it's always newer trucks. and b) Only ONE video makes a casual mention of "Oh, by the way, you have to cut this whole section out of the dashboard..." and then doesn't say why. There are more plugs and they are bigger, so the plastic at the rear of the radio "bucket" has to be cut out a bit. Not as drastic as the video shows but definitely needs to be done.
For some reason, the radio will NOT turn on unless the engine is actually running. If you turn the key to accessory, nothing. Run.. nothing. Start the engine? Radio comes on. Turn the engine back off one key position? Radio is back off.
Let me start by saying it's not a wiring problem. This is a GMLAN or a radio problem. So the question is directed at someone who knows GMLAN a little more in-depth or has done this swap.
When I was first looking at doing the swap, a lot of websites that sell the whole setup say "Fits 2007-2014 Tahoe, Yukon etc" and then one or two places said "Fits 2009+, or doesn't work in 07-08 trucks" and one place I called... MVI maybe? The tech support guy said "No, there's electrical differences, the radio won't stay on in 07-08s" but couldn't elaborate. It made no sense to me because 07-14 Tahoes all use 29-bit GMLAN. And many others I spoke to said "That's nonsense, it works fine in 07-08 trucks" including the GM radios guy I bought my harness from and who did the radio programming.
All of that being said: I deal in auto salvage, I do know a fair amount about the GMT900 trucks, and there were subtle differences between 07-08 and 09+ trucks, parts did change like the power liftgate assembly and many electrical modules are 07-08 only. BUT: The body control module for this truck shows fitment from 2007-2011. So that alone tells you there aren't drastic differences.
The other issue I noticed is that the rear DVD screen no longer works. The backlighting and IR comes on so it's getting power, and the RSE/rear climate control on the back of the center console comes on and works just fine. But the screen will not show anything, I can only play movies up front.
It's strange how when you look into doing this swap, there's lots of forum success stories. There's instructional videos online, but: a) I can't find a single person who's done this on a 07-08 GMT900, it's always newer trucks. and b) Only ONE video makes a casual mention of "Oh, by the way, you have to cut this whole section out of the dashboard..." and then doesn't say why. There are more plugs and they are bigger, so the plastic at the rear of the radio "bucket" has to be cut out a bit. Not as drastic as the video shows but definitely needs to be done.