Functional Interior Mod Ideas??

andrew4321

andrew4321

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Joined
Jan 28, 2012
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Hello all! I was curious if anyone has any suggestions for practical interior mods for someone who will be commuting to University 60 miles round trip per day. I was considering adding an AUX input, perhaps an overhead console and an auto dimming rear view mirror. I am really open to anything... I would just like ideas to guide me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance,



Andrew
 
I guess that depends on what you already have, vs what else you want. Since you have an LT, I assume you have digital HVAC and a DIC cluster already. Compass mirror is a possibility if you don't already have that feature. Cabin air filter mod is a great one that you can do for pretty cheap. Do you have any interest in changing the appearance of your interior? Painting/plastidipping some of the panels or pillars? Speaker upgrade? I'm kinda partial to LED replacements myself...
 
I was skeptical of the auto-dimming feature when I upgraded to a temp/compass mirror but I think it works fantastically well. I would definitely recommend it, especially for a daily commuter. :thumbsup:
 
Unfortunately Blckshdw I do not have digital HVAC or a DIC or even a six CD changer. I have always thought of my trailblazer as "base" I do not understand what I (I meaning my LT) could possible have that an LS does not(Perhaps a power driver seat??). I don't have really any features worth mentioning. I have read that it is not possible to add digital HVAC... if it is possible I will certainly do the modification, considering I already have to replace the blower motor resistor. I am open to LED mods however they seem kind of daunting. Thanks AtlWrk for the recommendation! I was kinda on the fence about the mirror.
 
andrew4321 said:
Unfortunately Blckshdw I do not have digital HVAC or a DIC or even a six CD changer. I have always thought of my trailblazer as "base" I do not understand what I (I meaning my LT) could possible have that an LS does not(Perhaps a power driver seat??). I don't have really any features worth mentioning. I have read that it is not possible to add digital HVAC... if it is possible I will certainly do the modification, considering I already have to replace the blower motor resistor. I am open to LED mods however they seem kind of daunting. Thanks AtlWrk for the recommendation! I was kinda on the fence about the mirror.
Click to expand...

FTR auto HVAC is technically not an impossible mod since it has been done, ONCE :crazy::wink: It's just insanely involved.

The DIC is a very do-able mod depending on your budget. New cluster, new steering wheel and clockspring and a bit of wiring. (Some people opt to wire up 4 buttons on the dash in lieu of a new steering wheel/clockspring)

The differences between an LS and an LT are anything but straightforward on our platform.
 
AtlWrk said:
The differences between an LS and an LT are anything but straightforward on our platform.
Click to expand...

Anything GM is anything but straightforward... Just saying. :biggrin:
 
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I made this introductory thread for anyone who's curious about LED mods but doesn't know where to start. Maybe this will help a little bit. :thumbsup:

http://gmtnation.com/f33/how-get-started-led-resistor-mods-861/

If you don't have the digital HVAC, you could try to find a temp/compass mirror to install. This was an upgrade I went for. There's a write up on how to add the exterior temp sensor for it. I was also one of the members to upgrade to a DIC cluster, and opted for a 4 momentary control button setup instead of the new steering wheel and clockspring to keep the cost relatively low. The biggest expense there, was getting the mileage programmed. :frown:

Going back to your overhead console idea, the homelink module is pretty handy if you have a garage door opener, or friends who live in gated communities that have remote control access :biggrin: The memo module is pretty much useless with today's technology, but it's funny to hear some of the things people who had it before you have recorded :crazy:
 
Not flashy but I found the two rear storage compartments of little value in their present configuration. So I made a couple of container inserts for storing things that wouldn't fall out when I opened the panel. Things like a $3 Harbor Freight DVM and some spare fuses.
I made a similar container for the driver side.
 

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andrew4321 said:
Awesome idea AbsoluteZero! Thanks everyone for the fantastic ideas!:biggrin:
Click to expand...

Wow! such a simple yet awesome idea:thumbsup: Trying to balance a stack of tie-down straps (or anything) in that compartment long enough to get the cover latched is always a royal PITA.

That pic also reminded me: I didn't have the rear aux power socket shown in AbsoluteZero's pic so I installed one.
 
I like the insert idea. Well Done.
 
This is one I have done on mine as well as have done it for several others on an exchange. I added two rocker switches for accessories likle lights, efans, etc. Can be in one of 4 colors-red, blue, green and yellow for the indicator led.

SPST
IMG_20110715_132634.jpg

This one has the DPDT in the upper position for an e-cutout
IMG_20111104_181827.jpg
 
This is another switch I installed for my air horns. Its perfect placement when the arm rests on the console.

consoleswitch001.jpg

consoleswitch002.jpg
 
AbsoluteZero said:
Not flashy but I found the two rear storage compartments of little value in their present configuration. So I made a couple of container inserts for storing things that wouldn't fall out when I opened the panel. Things like a $3 Harbor Freight DVM and some spare fuses.
I made a similar container for the driver side.
Click to expand...

What did you make your inserts out of?
 
irwinmb5 said:
What did you make your inserts out of?
Click to expand...

I think it's 1/8" paneling but just about anything thin should work. With grand kids who love to make things, I tend not to toss anything so have a "supply" of scrap.
 
I really like the storage boxes for the rear compartment, nicely done!

I built my own laptop mount, of course I never watch movies while driving though, that would be dangerous! :thumbsup:
 
AbsoluteZero said:
Not flashy but I found the two rear storage compartments of little value in their present configuration. So I made a couple of container inserts for storing things that wouldn't fall out when I opened the panel. Things like a $3 Harbor Freight DVM and some spare fuses.
I made a similar container for the driver side.
Click to expand...

Is that cigarette lighter in the back stock, or did you put it in yourself?
 
Shaggy_357 said:
Is that cigarette lighter in the back stock, or did you put it in yourself?
Click to expand...

It was part of some interior package. The OE wiring is fairly small and my 300W inverter dropped out when the voltage was less than 10.5V. This happened when the engine was off. Since the posted picture was taken I have added another outlet next to the one shown. It gets it's power from the BCM input (the one feed by the 125A fuse from the front fuse panel) I ran 10 gage wire and fused at 20A.
 
I have decided I want to do the overhead console modification to start out with. Will an overhead console with center map lights, homelink, sun glass holder, without the sunroof control button fit the headliner of a 2008 LT TB? Was there even a console with all of these options? Do all the consoles have the sunroof button? I just cant stand to have the button and not have the feature.:crazy:

-Andrew
 
Decided tonight to go ahead and put a DIC on my TB... That sounds so diiirrrty.. Anyways, I found quite a few junkyard clusters for it anywhere from $75 to $325.... Just going to go ahead and put in aftermarket buttons for it in a location later to be determined... Even found a cluster for $100 in OH that has around the same miles as mine so I really don't need to worry about a reprogram other than a cheap VIN program...

Ill let y`all know how this goes. And youns let me know what your thoughts are in case I am gonna miss something. Only thing I have seen is that there are two different part numbers but I am going to get hold of my old manager in parts and have him look up what the part No was for my year, as I know that the dummy lights on an 06 were a little different than the year before because of the addition of traction control which caused the need to remove the Cruise and Check Gauges lights to make room for the addition of that light, however I believe that they did not have this problem on the DIC model.
 
McGMT said:
Decided tonight to go ahead and put a DIC on my TB... That sounds so diiirrrty.. Anyways, I found quite a few junkyard clusters for it anywhere from $75 to $325.... Just going to go ahead and put in aftermarket buttons for it in a location later to be determined... Even found a cluster for $100 in OH that has around the same miles as mine so I really don't need to worry about a reprogram other than a cheap VIN program...

Ill let y`all know how this goes. And youns let me know what your thoughts are in case I am gonna miss something. Only thing I have seen is that there are two different part numbers but I am going to get hold of my old manager in parts and have him look up what the part No was for my year, as I know that the dummy lights on an 06 were a little different than the year before because of the addition of traction control which caused the need to remove the Cruise and Check Gauges lights to make room for the addition of that light, however I believe that they did not have this problem on the DIC model.
Click to expand...

Good luck! Sounds like you have thought out the mod well, I have just one question. Do you plan on adding the DIC steering wheel and proper clock spring or are you going to use your interface indefinitely? Also are you getting the cluster out of another Trailblazer? If so you might want to consider an envoy cluster some find that the envoy cluster is more upmarket looking. Just my $0.02. Please keep us updated!
 
I know it's not really practical, but I'd like to do this sometime soon:
IMG_1465.jpg


I'd like to "fill in" the sound better in my Envoy, but I'd also go with slightly smaller speakers. Maybe 4"-to-5¼". I don't want stupid-loud, but just something a bit better than stock. I've always been a fan of a rich, clear, surround type sound.
 
andrew4321 said:
Good luck! Sounds like you have thought out the mod well, I have just one question. Do you plan on adding the DIC steering wheel and proper clock spring or are you going to use your interface indefinitely? Also are you getting the cluster out of another Trailblazer? If so you might want to consider an envoy cluster some find that the envoy cluster is more upmarket looking. Just my $0.02. Please keep us updated!
Click to expand...

Depending on how I end up installing the buttons I may consider putting in the factory buttons some day but I don't really feel that it is necessary to spend the extra money to fit the buttons to the wheel. Most likey going to stick to the TB cluster so it doesn't look odd compared to the rest of the interior.

I have 3 kids so I am going to keep the interior as stock as possible as the TB interior is a little more forgiving to finger prints and spilled drinks.
 
andrew4321 said:
Hello all! I was curious if anyone has any suggestions for practical interior mods for someone who will be commuting to University 60 miles round trip per day. I was considering adding an AUX input, perhaps an overhead console and an auto dimming rear view mirror. I am really open to anything... I would just like ideas to guide me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance,



Andrew
Click to expand...

Love the boxes that fit in the rear compartments. I pulled the cover and have my outlets available in that rear driver's side compartment. I'm thinking I might run another to have an outlet in the front, but I could just add an extension cord if I needed it that badly. It's great when I'm no where near home and need to sit outside a closed Starbucks to place that last minute bid on ebay (with 10 windows open so I can catch it at the very last second in case someone else is bidding) with a laptop that is already low on an old battery. Also cool to run some LED photo bulbs in a remote area.

60 miles each way? I'd be looking at green mods, lower visibility (as far as law is concerned) mods, safety stuff (brighter lights, more visibility from the rear, etc) and maybe some comfort features. 60 miles each way you're looking at 3-4 gallons each direction - that's a full tank every 2 or 3 days. Got a roof rack? Take the cross rails off. I haven't read too much for better MPG mods but will be since I filled up my tank and it was $90.50. Brighter tails. I like the air horn. Had an electronic one when I was a firefighter but sold it when I moved.

I'd check to see if there is an MPG thread. As noted, I will be very soon.
 
Regulator said:
I really like the storage boxes for the rear compartment, nicely done!

I built my own laptop mount, of course I never watch movies while driving though, that would be dangerous! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Clearly you aren't counting porn as movies
 
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