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How To: Add Factory Navigation to your truck

130K views 66 replies 37 participants last post by  Camo55  
#1 ·
This was taken from user "schramautoparts". In no way is this my link, or writeup.

I wrote a guide some time ago for my customers on eBay:
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eBay Guides - GM Truck SUV navigation install guide Tahoe Silverado

hope this helps. It's a real easy process. Just make sure if your truck has the BOSE speaker package that the unit you bought is for the BOSE speaker package, or you will have an unpleasant chime.
here's a link to his ebay store:
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eBay My World - schramautoparts


Applies to Chevy Silverado, Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Suburban,
Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL



The following are instructions on how to install a factory navigation system into a full size General Motors truck or SUV. These vehicles include the Chevy Silverado, Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL. In this example we installed the navigation system into a 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD that did not have the navigation option from the factory.​
In order to install the navigation unit you will need the unit itself, the navigation antenna, and the navigation map DVD. In this particular case we used a GM navigation unit which was OEM part number 15940102 with a GM antenna which was OEM part number 15201798. Below are the steps necessary to install this OEM navigation system into a vehicle that did not originally have one.​
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Navigation Systems Available Here!


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Step 1:
Step 1:
Remove the two ten millimeter bolts that hold the oh sh#% handle on passenger side A-pillar. Remove the handle. Next remove the A-pillar trim panel. The trim panel snaps on with a couple clips. You will also need to unplug the tweeter mounted to the trim panel.​
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Step 2:
Step 2:
Remove the A-pillar trim on the drivers side. You will need to remove a seven millimeter bolt located underneath a small plastic cap. This trim panel also clips in with a couple clips. Again you will have to unplug the tweater mounted in the panel.​
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Step 3:
Step 3:
Remove the dash trim panel that buts up against the windshield. This part clips on, there are no bolts to attach it. Be careful as the part is made of plastic. You will have to disconnect the light sensor that is connected to this trim panel. To disconnect it just turn the sensor counter clockwise and it will come out.​
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Step 4:
Step 4:
Next remove the trim plate around the radio. This part clips on. You will not need to remove any bolts or nuts to remove this panel. You will have to disconnect the wires for the heater controls.​

Step 5:
Step 5:
For a good practice we are going to test the navigation unit before going any further. Remove the old radio and the heat control unit (which must be removed before the radio). Make sure the key is off on the vehicle. Plug the antenna into the navigation system and set it on the dash. Plug the radio wires into the navigation unit. You will see the navigation system has 4 inputs on the back for a wiring harness to go into. You will find you only have two wiring harnesses available. Do not be alarmed, this is correct and you cannot plug the wires into the wrong place. The plugs are slotted to ensure that the correct wiring goes into the right plug. Once you are all plugged in (don't forget about the am/fm antenna!) go ahead and turn the key on. Test the unit to make sure everything is working properly. You will not be able to use the navigation until you have navigation disk. It will however tell you your current GPS coordinates.  Keep in mind if you are inside of a garage or around any large building the antenna may not be able to communicate with the satellites.  If the navigation unit is functioning properly then please move on to the next step.​
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Step 6:
Step 6:
Now you will need to fish the navigation antenna through the dash. I was able to fish the wire through the dash with my hands. You may find you need a coat hanger and electrical tape to get the wire through properly. Make sure that the antenna wiring does not get pinched when you install the navigation unit into the dash.​
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Step 7:
Step 7:
Snap the antenna into place. There is a pre-installed location for the antenna to snap in directly underneath the dash/windshield trim panel that you removed earlier. The snap in location is near the center of the dash off set to the passenger side a few inches.​
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Step 8:
Step 8:
Re-assemble.​

Step 9:
Step 9:
If everything works properly you should be up and running at this point! When the unit first turns on you should be greeted with the logo from the make of your vehicle (in this case GMC). The nav will need a navigation map disk to function as a navigating system but you will be able to use the the radio and all of the other features of the navigation unit. The map disk is inserted behind the screen of the navigation system. The screen folds down and the navigation disk is inserted. This allows you to use the other visible disk drive on the system for CD's, MP3 disks, and even DVD movies (which can only be viewed while in park and only available on units with DVD movie capability). You will also want to disable the rear camera option (since your vehicle did not come with navigation it also did not come with a rear camera) or else you will get an error message about your rear video system. To do this go to"menu", click "display", choose "rear camera options" and uncheck the box to view rear camera while in reverse. This will eliminate the error message and your nav system will remain the same when you shift into reverse.​
So there you have it. How to install a factory navigation system into your Chevy Silverado, Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL when it did not come with the navigation system from the factory!
 
#2 ·
Hey thanks for the plug! I was searching to see if there was a thread with a list of NAV units confirmed to work in the Silverado / Sierra? We just installed 20792735 and 20792736 today, and both worked like a charm. Since they were new units, no programing was nesscary, but both say "DELPHI" instead of "CHEVY" or "GMC" on start up. For the record, those part numbers are out of a 2009 Saturn Outlook.
EDITED TO ADD:
We've also confirmed that 20792737 and 2079274 work as well, which are for the 2009 GMC Acadia, but haven't installed any ourselves yet.
 
#8 ·
Here are all of the GMT-800 part numbers I have come up with so far...

Diesel Place
 
#3 ·
Excellent man, great write up.

Feel free to add any new info you want in here.
 
#5 ·
So it's giving you voice when you enter a location, and when you get there, but not step by step when you're driving?
A Couple of ideas:
Did you instal a VSS wire with yours? It shouldn't be the difference, but I can't be sure
Have you gone through the options for the NAV to make sure step-by-step directions are turned on? There are likely several different vvoice options, it'd be worth scrolling through them.
 
#12 ·
You're still not decoding, but one thing does pop out at me. The radio you have is an '07 unit, and you have an '09 vehicle. I haven't heard of any specific problems, but that's my best guess at this point. I know on the LAMBDA platform vehicles that I've been told going from '09 back is ok, but to go from '08 (or back) forward may cause problems due to the addition of Blue Tooth to the BCM. Not completely sure, just my SWAG.
 
#13 ·
Figured I'd come correct myself on a few things in case people are looking for help. I was initially wrong on a few things about the upgrade, specifically the BOSE VS non BOSE issue. I've posted this on a few forums I'm a member or vendor on, figured this was the best place to share it here.


1. Your nav will require programing. Some sellers do it before they sell it to you, but most can't (it takes equipment the average person, or even a place like us, just doesn't have access to.) It shouldn't cost you more than $75.
2. In the GMT900 / Lambda Platform vehicles, Bose / Non Bose Y91 doesn't matter one bit. It can all be taken care of with programing. If you don't believe me on this, just search this forum or some of the other big GM vehicle forums if you need confirmation, I've been doing my best to dispell this idea. It takes a little outside of the box thinking. Your vehicle didn't come with NAV, so when the dealer uses your VIN to open up the programming options, it will not bring up the proper options. You need to get a loaded VIN for your particular make (VERY IMPORTANT) and find a dealer that will use that vin to pull up the programming options. (NOT to unlock the unit, which they very likely won't do and for good reason) Then they need to go through and carefully reprogram the unit based on the options specific to your vehicle.
3. Because of this, I recomend this very important step. CALL AROUND. Do not just take it to your favorite dealer. They may be great people. They may have sold you a great car, and you may be a life long fan. This doesn't mean their tech knows how to do this install. To save yourself time and headache, call around and ask them the question "Hi, I want to upgrade my non-navigation (vehicle) to a OEM navigiation unit. Do you have a tech who has done this before?" if the answer is no, call the next place.
4. If the programming is done and you still have loud chimes and turn signals (or no chimes and no turn signals) the install was done wrong. Even if the tech INSISTS he did it correctly, he didn't.
5. Bluetooth is NOT controlled by the NAV. It's in the VCIM. I'm sure most of you guys know this, but I figure I'd include it in the post. If you didn't have bluetooth before you installed your OEM nav unit, you won't have it after. Some aftermarket units may control the bluetooth, the OEM head unit does not.
6. If you have backup camera in your mirror, the backup camera on the head unit will not work. (I have not indepently confirmed this like I have the above points, but I've read enough to convince me until I see it for myself)
 
#26 ·
could you get chevy to program "chevy on startup". or would it be easier to buy one out of a wrecked truck on ebay
 
#30 ·
#32 ·
It is a great idea, but with free updates from google maps, the free app for my droid makes factory nav units obsolete...