A couple of questions about the 99-06's

[bennylava]

Got a few questions so I guess I'll just number them for ease of answering.

1. How hard is it to swap the front end? I really like the 2002 Chevy truck front end. But I'd like to have an 06 since it'll be easier to find a low mileage truck. So anyone ever swapped the 2002 chevy front end onto a 2006 truck? What all is involved?

2. Does anyone know what is different between the 2002's, and the 2006 model trucks? Aside from the way the front looks. Were there any major upgrades or updates that I should know about? And what were the biggest changes? Is the dash still mostly the same? I'm wondering if I should just get the 2002 truck, or if it's worth it to get an 06 and just swap the 02 front end onto it.

3. Here's the upgrades that I want to do to the truck, once I get it. I'd like you guys to tell me if you see any issues that may arise, or if you have any recommendations. Automatic windows, full sound deadening, decent sound system, GPS head unit, some kind of leveling kit that raises the truck only 1 inch total. Maybe a few engine mods that either don't affect gas mileage at all, or may raise it. Any other upgrades you think these trucks really benefit from? It'll just be a street truck, not an off roader. Thoughts and opinions?

[Palf70Step]

1. For Chevys, you'll need the entire front clip, rad support and bumpers. GMCs are almost the same between the years, so they would pretty much look identical.

2. Fair amount of hidden electrical and all the were added thru the years. I know heater controls are different (and even vary more depending on models) from 02 to the 03-06 years.

3. 2003 and up went back to drum rear brakes. I preferred the 2002 with 4 wheel disc of the 02. 2002 had 16" wheels for the standard, 2003 and up had 17" because of the bigger front discs.

I had regular cab work trucks, no extended or crew cabs. my 06 and 07 set more level than the 02 did, but I liked the slight rack (raised rear) of the 02 better. Also, I hate it when the rear is lower, even when I haul a load. With a load the 02 set level,, so I was good with that.

I always had manual windows and preferred them on the regular cabs. Factory power windows would be OK I guess. GPS, I use my phone and had a standard DIN style stereo to that would play MP3s on my USB stick.

[biketopia]

Looks like most everything has been covered by Palf70Step

If you really like the rounded front end look for a GMC, they kept the same front end from 01-07(classic) Other wise you'll need everything, including the core support I believe.

01-02 stayed pretty similar, but 03-07 things changed from the dash's, HVAC, modules for SRS, BCM, On Star, and a whole slew of things I'm probably forgetting. Either way the 01-07 have cluster issues with the stepper motors failing, easy cheap fix if you're at all handy with a soldering iron. Or only costs about 100 bucks to send one out and get repaired.

You never stated what options or lack of options these trucks you're looking at have? Swapping to power windows from a manual one requires a BCM, the associated wiring, motors, regulators, new door panels and switches. Are you looking at a crew cab truck, bose stereo, if so if you want a decent sound with the aftermarket deck you want to bypass the factory amp. I have a GPS double din in my 03 and am contemplating going back to a single, the maps are out of date, costs a lot to update them when my phone is pretty up to date 99% of the time. Plus the brightness of the screen gets really annoying on long drives at night. Another thing, the 01-02 trucks can only fit a 1.5 din without cutting up the trim or getting trim from an 03 and up truck.

Not 100% if all the trucks went drum rear, but I'm more familiar with the HD chassis, same interior and such though. Which ever way you go, check the brake lines, they always rust. There's stainless pre bent kits for about 100 bucks or AC delco makes a coated pre bent set that is a whole lot easier to work with and will last 20+ years.

[Keith Seymore]

03 and up got a new electrical architecture ("Global A").

K

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by biketopia

You never stated what options or lack of options these trucks you're looking at have? Are you looking at a crew cab truck, bose stereo, if so if you want a decent sound with the aftermarket deck you want to bypass the factory amp. I have a GPS double din in my 03 and am contemplating going back to a single, the maps are out of date, costs a lot to update them when my phone is pretty up to date 99% of the time. Plus the brightness of the screen gets really annoying on long drives at night. Another thing, the 01-02 trucks can only fit a 1.5 din without cutting up the trim or getting trim from an 03 and up truck.

Not 100% if all the trucks went drum rear, but I'm more familiar with the HD chassis, same interior and such though. Which ever way you go, check the brake lines, they always rust. There's stainless pre bent kits for about 100 bucks or AC delco makes a coated pre bent set that is a whole lot easier to work with and will last 20+ years.

As for options, I'd like tan cloth and power factory power windows. I guess I'm looking for a 4 door short bed truck but I think I'd settle for an extended cab since I don't need 4 doors for anything. Do these trucks have the rear doors that open, on the "extended cab" versions? I can't remember when they actually started doing that.

As for the GPS head unit, what I've found is that most of them have a button somewhere or some kind of option that will shut the screen off. While still leaving it on and functioning. It bothers me at night too so I've always just hit that button on the front. Had one in a toyota car for 5 years, and thus far I don't think I've needed an update for it. Although maybe I will at some point.

Beyond that I'd definitely want cruise control, and other things that you'd think that most of these trucks just came with. But I don't know all the options so I'm not sure. What was the luxury model? I'll probably just buy that and swap in cloth eventually if I have to. The rest would all just be thorough sound deadening and a decent aftermarket sound system with a single flat subwoofer, like one of those JL TW5's or something like that.

Not sure exactly what engine mods would for sure increase power while not costing any fuel mileage. Other than headers and exhaust.

[biketopia]

They have the suicide doors on the extended cabs those years. I have the option to turn my screen off too still has a hue from it. I think for the money for a decent one, plus the need to do some modifying behind the dash to make them fit I'd stick with single DIN but that's just my preference. Mainly based on the fact the roads by me change all the time with constant construction and my phone is always on me and up to date. Cruise is easy to add on the drive by wire trucks, literally just install the turn signal stalk with the cruise buttons. The "luxury" models were the Silverado LT trim or the SLT trim for GMC, with Denali being higher yet. My 03 2500hd is an LT, leather, captains chairs, steering wheel controls, bose, duel zone auto climate, heated seats. Pretty much the only option I don't have is a sun roof.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by biketopia

They have the suicide doors on the extended cabs those years. I have the option to turn my screen off too still has a hue from it. I think for the money for a decent one, plus the need to do some modifying behind the dash to make them fit I'd stick with single DIN but that's just my preference. Mainly based on the fact the roads by me change all the time with constant construction and my phone is always on me and up to date. Cruise is easy to add on the drive by wire trucks, literally just install the turn signal stalk with the cruise buttons. The "luxury" models were the Silverado LT trim or the SLT trim for GMC, with Denali being higher yet. My 03 2500hd is an LT, leather, captains chairs, steering wheel controls, bose, duel zone auto climate, heated seats. Pretty much the only option I don't have is a sun roof.

I think LT was as good as it gets, for the 2002 chevy trucks. Never heard of a Denali truck, i thought that was always a GMC thing. Maybe you could get one in the 06 Chevy trucks?

After reading this thread, it sounds like the only difference of any real concern to me, would be the dash. And that is because of the double din issue, and me wanting to run GPS. Keith mentioned a newer electrical architecture, but it doesn't seem like that's something that one would really want to consider in this instance. Unless the old architecture was prone to fires or something, which I've never heard of.

[biketopia]

Yes, Denali is a GMC thing. I mentioned it because you said you like the front end of the 01-02 Chevy over the 03-07 classic. The GMC kept that style front end all the way through from 01-07. I like the dashs better in the 03&up trucks but it's really preference i suppose.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by biketopia

I like the dashs better in the 03&up trucks but it's really preference i suppose.

It appears to be the same dash. Maybe you're referring to some buttons or wood grain?

[hatzie]

I thought Global A started around 2010 or so and the security procedures make using used control modules problematic. On the surface it looks like a money grab but maybe there's a good reason...
http://www.fixcarsfaster.com/video-t...gm-global.html
The 2003 through at least 2007 use the GM Class II serial network communication. 2007-2009 used GM CAN buss.
Controllers and a lot of other electrical parts may not be interchangeable between the 2003 to 2007 and 1999 to 2002.
For instance parts like the door switches are integrated over the Class II serial network.

[hugger6933]

drum brakes reappeared in the 06 model year. I have told my customers for years there isnt anything on the 03 that is the same as the 02 now I am talking about anything with a plug. Almost all the electrical stuff[ on the 03] is different from the stuff on the 02. Changing the front one way or another will be easy just a little more work when doing the forward wiring it can be done just more work instead of a plug and go The front bumper brackets are different as well and that will require a welder to change. I have rebuilt hundreds of both of those body style and been into every nook and cranny of them

[MalibuSSwagon]

Core supports are all the same all years. I put a GMC front end on my 03 facelift silverado. The bumper horns are different between 1500 and 2500-3500 trucks.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Core supports are all the same all years. I put a GMC front end on my 03 facelift silverado. The bumper horns are different between 1500 and 2500-3500 trucks.

This is good to know.

I do not prefer the "cat eye" front end; if something ever happens I will probably switch over to a GMC.

I assume the same is true for putting an '02 Chevy front end on a '03 and later Chevy?

K

[MalibuSSwagon]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

This is good to know.

I do not prefer the "cat eye" front end; if something ever happens I will probably switch over to a GMC.

I assume the same is true for putting an '02 Chevy front end on a '03 and later Chevy?

K

I did not like my cat eye front end either, and the bumper and fenders were rotted so I put on a GMC front clip I had. I also went above and beyond to put a Denali bumper on my 2500HD, which meant cutting the frame and welding on 1500 brackets.

The core support is taller by about 2" due to the frame differences, but the fenders line up fine. You also have to change the plastic headlight brackets but thats easy. The cat eye ones are specific to that front, the GMC and 99-02 are all the same according to the part numbers. The fender inner liners are HD specific as well, but are the same between all years as far as I can tell. I reused my HD liners on the GMC fenders. Flares are all the same too.

GM did make a 1500 Denali, but not a 2500. It was worth the effort as I like the Denali the best.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Drum brakes reappeared in the 06 model year. I have told my customers for years, there isn't anything on the 03 that is the same as the 02. Now I am talking about anything with a plug. Almost all the electrical stuff [on the 03] is different from the stuff on the 02. Changing the front one way or another will be easy just a little more work when doing the forward wiring it can be done just more work instead of a plug and go The front bumper brackets are different as well and that will require a welder to change. I have rebuilt hundreds of both of those body style and been into every nook and cranny of them

How much would you charge to switch over the front end? To put an 02 front end, on an 06 truck.

[CarlsLQ9SS]

The 99-02 fenders will bolt to your radiator support just fine. You will have to change tour headlight buckets to the 99-02 style headlights, and you will have to change the bumper brackets that are welded to the frame also. Then you will need the 99-02 bumper as well as all the bumper brackets and the rest will bolt right on. I have changed the front ends on these trucks many times from the 99-02 to the 03-06 on Silverado and GMC. Here is an example.