OBS PW/PL/RKE Question

tetfemal · May 21, 2022

What years OBS are interchangeable?

I have a 98 c3500 that I’m converting to a dually. The dash is broken, therefore it has to get replaced. I figured that I might as well convert the truck to a power window/power locks/remote keyless entry truck while I’m at it.

What years would be a direct swap? I found a 95 suburban for sale locally but I’m not sure if the parts would be a direct swap into the 98 c3500

JOHNGAAA1 · May 21, 2022

1998 and 1999 are the same only. 1997 is a one year. 1996 is a one year. i own all 4 and the do have some differences. 1998 or 1999 obs and you will be good to go and a direct swap.

tetfemal · May 21, 2022

JOHNGAAA1 said:
1998 and 1999 are the same only. 1997 is a one year. 1996 is a one year. i own all 4 and the do have some differences. 1998 or 1999 obs and you will be good to go and a direct swap.

Thanks for the information

618 Syndicate · May 21, 2022

That's not good information. For a start, 99 is the start of the GMT 800 series, so they won't all interchange.
You'll need more than the dash to swap to rke. Any 95+ 400 door panels will swap, is your 98 a crew cab?

JOHNGAAA1 · May 22, 2022

618 Syndicate said:
That's not good information. For a start, 99 is the start of the GMT 800 series, so they won't all interchange.
You'll need more than the dash to swap to rke. Any 95+ 400 door panels will swap, is your 98 a crew cab?

IF IT A 1999 SUBURBAN OR TAHOE THEY ARE OBS !!!

618 Syndicate · May 22, 2022

JOHNGAAA1 said:
IF IT A 1999 SUBURBAN OR TAHOE THEY ARE OBS !!!

OP has a truck, you didn't specify in your initial statement. 96 and 97 are functionally the same in terms of interiors, that was the other bad information you provided.
Also, typing in all caps doesn't make your information more accurate....lol

BNielsen · May 22, 2022

To expand on this some and provide some better detailed information, for swapping from manual interiors to power interiors I don't think the 95 will work. Door panels, dash (the cup-holder passenger side dashes were a 95/96 only thing) and any other hard parts like switches will work, but I think the interior wiring for everything is different.
Basically if it's a 97/98/99/00 OBS Truck/Tahoe/Suburban it'll swap in; 96 has some differences and 95 have some differences.

Someone else who's a little more versed in the specifics of these trucks can come in and expand I'm sure, I could be mistaken to some degree.

618 Syndicate · May 23, 2022

BNielsen said:
To expand on this some and provide some better detailed information, for swapping from manual interiors to power interiors I don't think the 95 will work. Door panels, dash (the cup-holder passenger side dashes were a 95/96 only thing) and any other hard parts like switches will work, but I think the interior wiring for everything is different.
Basically if it's a 97/98/99/00 OBS Truck/Tahoe/Suburban it'll swap in; 96 has some differences and 95 have some differences.

Someone else who's a little more versed in the specifics of these trucks can come in and expand I'm sure, I could be mistaken to some degree.

@someotherguy

Dropped88 · May 23, 2022

I have done this swap mine is a 99 c3500 and I used a 98 suburban as a donor.

The PL,PW,RKE is all in a standalone harness. It's runs at the very top of the firewall behind the dash. I changed mine with the dash in just dropped it down.

With you needing a dash it'll be easier with it completely out

And the only thing I had that wasn't plug n play was a plug above the steering column, I just used a diagram for both vehicles and spliced in a plug with what I needed.

Also if the harness comes from an SUV you may have a little amplifier for the rear channels that'll youll want to bypass. It's easy it's in my build thread which i can add a link to the exact page later when I'm not at work and doing all this on a phone ha

RI Chevy guy · May 28, 2022

I'm struggling with the same thing. I have a '96, installed cross body harness from a '97 I believe, rebuilt the heater/ac box, cleaned everything, painted the new dash and components. Fixed a few gremlins that were already there, but seem to have created a few in the process. It seems the RKE module takes place of the illuminated entry module, controlling the interior lamps. Which now aren't working. Does anyone know if the RKE module has to be programmed to the truck? I've seen reference to this in other posts. Looking up the test procedure for the module now, but any knowledge on this would be helpful. The new dash is from a '98, had to swap the harness from my original dash to get things to connect properly without rebuilding the entire harness, swapping plugs, etc.

TIP: Dawn power wash dish soap works amazingly well for cleaning dash parts, duct work, etc. with 25 years of grime on them. Spray, let sit a few, spray it off. Any really heavy stuff may require a little scrubbing.

OBS PW/PL/RKE Question

tetfemal

Newbie

JOHNGAAA1

I'm Awesome

tetfemal

Newbie

618 Syndicate

You won't...

JOHNGAAA1

I'm Awesome

618 Syndicate

You won't...

BNielsen

I'm Awesome

618 Syndicate

You won't...

Dropped88

Supporting Member

RI Chevy guy

OBS Enthusiast

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