• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls To Your Av

Chief

Chief

CAFCNA FOUNDER
Charter Member
SM 2008
SM 2007
SM 2006
SM 2005
SM 2004
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2002
Messages
12,693
Location
Edmonds, WA
Special thanks to DocToss for introducing me to this one today - I had to share:

http://www.jpcustoms.com/WebPages/STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS.html

Before I drove an Avalanche I drove a Pontiac Montana with steering wheel mounted radio controls. Trust me, once you have them, you'll never go back. They are not only a luxury item, they are a great safety feature because your eyes never leave the road and your hands never leave the wheel to change the station.

I know some Av owners have gritched about the only stereo choice - well this is one little trick to upgrade.

Although the kit comes with extensive directions I'll confess that pulling my steering wheel and disabling the airbag is not my M.O.!

The basic kit includes everything including the wiring harness and a paint to match kit that is dark gray (read, probably can be installed unpainted on the graphite interior) for $160.

The other kit comes with colored pieces (tan for the neutral interior Av) and is $180.

There is a good photo series showing the install (probably on a Suburban). I haven't used the kit personally YET, but I'm going to order me one!
 
If I can intsall it, then just about anyone can. The instructions walk you through step by step how to disable the airbag, etc. Great mod.
 
I've also added the steering wheel audio controls. Jason provides very detailed instructions (50+ steps and color pics). It took me about 3 hrs, but I'm no mechanic.

The replacement plastic that goes behind the controls is grey, but not the same shade as the rest of the interior plastic...its more like the grey colors of the knobs on the climate control.

I did step disconnecting the passenger airbage connection behind the glove box (I couldn't reach it)....but I did disconnect it everwhere else.

Just take your time and you'll love the mod! Oh yea, they also light up at night.
 
To disconnect the airbag behind the glove box took me quite a while, but I was scared to skip it. I broke the little copper snap ring in the steering column. I got another one at the dealer for $1.13, and I believe Jason now includes an extra in the kit.
 
DocToss...I broke part of the brass ring also, but I could still reuse it. That was probably the most difficult part of the whole job!
 
I assume you have to buy an aftermarket stereo to connect the controls to? If so, what stereo did you buy and what are the costs involved with the new stereo?
 
Nope - plugs right into the existing factory head unit :cool: so you don't need to buy a new stereo. As a matter of fact, with OnStar you can't change the stereo because it will void the OnStar warranty. This isn't a Chevy thing - it's an OnStar thing.

The unit is all setup to accept the steering wheel controls and I'm getting confirmation that the harness just plugs in. I think it is just a "Chevy" thing (keeping the controls on GMC and Cadillac) - but they should have included them on the $31K to $40K Avalanche. I'm doing this mod in February. I'm waiting to find out if this is a good time to add the Trans Temp guage too. I also may do the wood kit at the same time, seeing how I'm going to have the dash trim and AC face off anyway! Ya, all day in my garage - it's going to be Tim Allen time!

Har! Har! Har! Har! ;D
 
The kit uses the stock stereo. I believe there are about 3 wires to attach. Two use a clip splicer thingy and one plugs into the existing harness. All are color coded and easy to attach.
 
Jason - I told you the Doc would answer your question you e-mailed me! :cool:
 
E-mailed the company to see if install. They are
about 200 miles away. Would be almost as easy
to drive to Houston. Especially when it involves
so much disassembly.
 
Dude! If they do install GET PICTURES!!!

Heck if you send me a roll of film I'll pay for the developing and put them up here so you can download. I'd love to get some shots of them going through on the install on an Av!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
 
I will e-mail Jason tomorrow - I've got to get to bed...I'll let everyone know what he says (planning to order controls this week so getting a break would be sweet)
 
Chief Avalanche Fan said:
Dude! ?If they do install GET PICTURES!!!

Heck if you send me a roll of film I'll pay for the developing and put them up here so you can download. ?I'd love to get some shots of them going through on the install on an Av!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Click to expand...

There are some pics of the install here. They are on a Silverado, but some Avalanche owners have installed them as well. ?Go to the Technical Install Info section and you'll see the link for the Steering Wheel Audio Controls. ?http://www.mudcrazy.com/
 
Voids the warranty and it will not work unless you get some sort of kit.
 
Chief Avalanche Fan said:
I'm doing this mod in February. ?I'm waiting to find out if this is a good time to add the Trans Temp guage too.
Click to expand...

Please keep us posted... I'm especially interested in the tranny temp gauge.

Tim
 
Tim - talked to Jason specifically about changing out the instrument cluster while everything was yanked out. He told me that it is a perfect time to drop in the new instrument cluster, that it would add maybe five minutes to the install time.

I'm still not 100% sure if I want to do the install myself on the radio controls. I can 90% of the work, but yanking the steering wheel makes me nervous. There is a local yocal custom shop in my little town and I'm willing to bet I could work with them to do the heavy lifting and let me assist on other stuff (in exchange they get a photo opportunity and plugged on the website).

;D ;D ;D

I'll keep everyone posted - I've been feeling sick the last couple of days so I have yet to follow up with Jason on a group order, but I will before I place mine!
 
im definitely one for the GP, i hope we get a good price break.

does anyone know if this will work on aftermarket systems? im still deciding on whether to install the Apline or not...
 
Come on Chief, You can do thhe install. You sound like me, I was going to pay someone to do it, but when I saw how detailed and clear Jason's instructions were, I gave it a try. The satisfaction of doing it yourself is great. Those of us who have done it on the forum can help, even if it includes a phone call.
 
Hey, Chief, hope you're feeling better.

If you need to give Jason an informal count of the radio steering wheel controls, put me down for two. No, I don't own two Avalanches: My boss owns an AV (only a 1500 :)) and wants to add the controls.
 
Here's an update - I've contacted Jason via e-mail last night (am feeling better, guess I had a 24 hour bug) and asked him if he could give a break. I suggested he give me pricing for if we as a group bought 5 the price is X, 10 it's Y, 20 or more it's Z.

We'll see - Jason is pretty good at getting back quickly. I also asked about the reverse parking aid kits he is working on and an ETA on availability.

I'll spread the word as soon as I know!

;D ;D ;D
 
If anyone needs help installing the audio controls and ?lives in the Pittsburgh or Cincinnati, drop me a message and I may be able to stop over and help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top