Install advice for '03 Tahoe Z71

[dbcomm]

Hey everyone. I am getting ready to install a couple of Moto CDM's and some other stuff into my Z71. I was thinking of using the factory console as a mounting location for some of the control heads. If anyone has installed in a late model Tahoe and has any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate them before I get going. Thanks in advance!

[apco25]

Look up my post on the 03 suburban install - identical interior

I removed the factory console and use a combination of off the shelf gamber johnson and custom parts.

FYI, if you have a small amount of equipment to mount try Havis Shields and as they have a drop in console top that fits over the stock cupholder area.

[dbcomm]

Does anyone have suggestions on where the ideal place to drill/pop through the firewall would be?

[thebigphish]

tap from both sides (w/ a spotter to help you) until you find an unobstructed area. drill. grommet. this way you can do it to your liking...and i don't know if the Z71 firewall has any prepunches...but just go exploring.

[apco25]

There should be a nice dimple on the firewall up high on the driver side of the engine. Its big enough to hold a 3//4 - 1" dia hole. I use a green a puunched through cleanly.

This was on the 03 suburban but it should have the same firewalll .

[KitN1MCC]

i have a 2003 k2500 HD with the Durmax.

no problmes with the install. plus i have done a few for a few custerms
everything from 84 and up.

[dbcomm]

Well, I got most of the radio equip in, and am pondering the idea of the HS drop in console, but I've got a new one that's makin me crazy. This Tahoe is going to be doing telco work and will be parked in some pretty busy areas, so we're putting in an amber Whelen Talon in the windshield. Problem is, short of using those ridiculous suction cups, I cant find a clean, proper way to mount the thing. If anyone has installed one before and has any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate them. Thanks.

[KitN1MCC]

get the Behind the fron mirror Bracket

or you can also try the 500 Series linerar with the external Ballast same thing as the talon but in the 500 series heads with more mouting options. or use 2 single talons

[joe1234]

Look at http://www.8541electronics.com and look at photos and the album NC wildlife there should be 2 Tahoes one with a procopper console and the other the officer made...just to let you look at Ideas.....

[jim]

ProCopper= biggest POS console ever produced.


Don't use a Talon if you have any VHF radio frequencies with no PL.
They produce a constant carrier on many frequencies in this range.
No....ferrite beads don't help them.

[dbcomm]

I'm not a fan of the procopper either. Thanks for the ideas guys. Also, to KitN1MCC, where can I get this behind the mirror bracket? I checked on the Whelen website and can only find 2 methods of mounting the Talon. 1) Suction cup and 2) deck/dash mounting. Thanks.

[dbcomm]

apco25 - Thanks for the suggestion on using the Havis Shields drop in console. I just ordered one. The install picture on the HS website looks pretty good, but I was wondering if you had installed one before and what your personal thoughts on it were as far as asthetics and overall appearance (gaps, parts not lining up, etc.). Thanks, dBc.

[apco25]

While I don't have one in my suburban since I went with gamber johnson full size console, I have seen the Havis-Shields model. The fit and finish is quite nice and it looks good once installed.

If you need to mount a few radios or related equipment its not a bad option with 12 inches of faceplates and not having to remove the factory console.

if you need an MDC or laptop mounted you can use teh Gamber Johnson DS-SILVERADO base for a clean installation offset on the passenger side.

Only bad thing is you will loose your cupholders with the Havis Shields.

[KitN1MCC]

that they o is take the suction cups out and screw it in the head liner i need to look again

[dbcomm]

Regarding the FS005. Galls instructions require a modification/addition to the factory wiring underneath the PDC in the engine compartment. The diagram shows the installation of a diode betweeen the 12V control wire of the flasher and your choice of one of two white wires coming from the PDC. Does anyone with access to a service manual know what the function of these two white wires is? I'm assuming that since the PDC is on the cathode side of the diode that the circuit in question has something to do with the BCM. I'd appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks in adance.