99-02 steering wheel swap for audio controls

Mikloangelo

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Decided to swap my 2001 2500hd steering wheel over to a 98-02 tahoe steering wheel with audio controls and the correct clock spring . Also installing a 7inch double din. I've never been an audio guy, but the radio installation is straight forward. I know I will need an interface module for the radio to sense the steering wheel inputs. Those that have done this or something similar which module do you recommend?
 

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Tonimus

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It's funny that I installed a double din in my '06 and didn't bother with the module for steering controls. I did use the Axxess module to talk to the network for the door dinger, lighting, etc.

I would highly recommend the Axxess unit, in addition to buying it from Crutchfield. Their wiring diagrams, tech support, and warranty are fantastic. I'm not affiliated, just been a customer for a long time.
 

mars2878

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It's funny that I installed a double din in my '06 and didn't bother with the module for steering controls. I did use the Axxess module to talk to the network for the door dinger, lighting, etc.

I would highly recommend the Axxess unit, in addition to buying it from Crutchfield. Their wiring diagrams, tech support, and warranty are fantastic. I'm not affiliated, just been a customer for a long time.

Did your '06 already have steering wheel radio controls?
 

mars2878

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Decided to swap my 2001 2500hd steering wheel over to a 98-02 tahoe steering wheel with audio controls and the correct clock spring . Also installing a 7inch double din. I've never been an audio guy, but the radio installation is straight forward. I know I will need an interface module for the radio to sense the steering wheel inputs. Those that have done this or something similar which module do you recommend?
Did you install the aftermarket radio yet or do you still have the factory radio installed?

I highly recommend doing this install with the factory radio still installed 1st.
A: You don't know the history of the donor parts.
B: people like me pull these parts from the salvage yard & resell them as kits. But we have no clue if they work or not.

If you install it to the aftermarket radio, you don't know where the issue is! Is it the donor parts? Is it your splicing? Is it the adapter?

Install it to the factory radio leaves less room for error, faster diagnosis. 2 splice points, at the radio & at the bottom of the steering column. Only 2 areas to test if an issue.

Once you have it sorted, then swap to the aftermarket radio & adapter kit. Then if there is an issue, it's the new parts introduced.

Just my nickles worth of advice.
 

Mikloangelo

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Did you install the aftermarket radio yet or do you still have the factory radio installed?

I highly recommend doing this install with the factory radio still installed 1st.
A: You don't know the history of the donor parts.
B: people like me pull these parts from the salvage yard & resell them as kits. But we have no clue if they work or not.

If you install it to the aftermarket radio, you don't know where the issue is! Is it the donor parts? Is it your splicing? Is it the adapter?

Install it to the factory radio leaves less room for error, faster diagnosis. 2 splice points, at the radio & at the bottom of the steering column. Only 2 areas to test if an issue.

Once you have it sorted, then swap to the aftermarket radio & adapter kit. Then if there is an issue, it's the new parts introduced.

Just my nickles worth of advice.
Good info. I pulled out the factory radio to test fit the new aftermarket. I have to check but I think I threw the radio in the trash which was recent taken out. I would assume that I can take a multimeter and a 12v source to check the wiring and switches and clock spring. Im pretty confident if there is a problem I'll find it. But yes your suggestion is absolutely spot on. Thank you for the input
 

mars2878

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Good info. I pulled out the factory radio to test fit the new aftermarket. I have to check but I think I threw the radio in the trash which was recent taken out. I would assume that I can take a multimeter and a 12v source to check the wiring and switches and clock spring. Im pretty confident if there is a problem I'll find it. But yes your suggestion is absolutely spot on. Thank you for the input

 

mars2878

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It did. I just don't care for steering wheel controls.

Was just checking.
03-06 it was optional.
99-02 it was optional on the Escalade & Denali only.

Yours being a 2006 is the key to why yours was different.
Plus the electrical system is tied together differently between those two year groups. So different things need to be done to make things work.
 

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