All Modules swap

[Toyboytoh]

I have a 2008 crew cab WT and a donor 2008 crew cab SLE I'd like all the SLE features and want to know what modules I'll need to swap without getting my BCM reprogrammed. My dealer won't do it for me. So Im ready to change all necessary modules in my truck with the donor truck including the ignition. Can you tell me if this is possible and what I'll need to do and what modules to replace? I understand they go by VIN or something. But if I get all the stuff from the donor and move it over to mine it should work without locking me out of the truck right? 

[Toyboytoh]

9 hours ago, Doug_Scott said:

Don't think the BCM works that way. The suggestions I gave do not require BCM programming and are typically simple swaps/installs.  I know this because they were the first things I did.  I bought a leather wrap steering wheel from GM to get the radio controls. 

I feel like doing a cab swap or engine trans swap might be my only option then. 

[Doug_Scott]

6 hours ago, Toyboytoh said:

I feel like doing a cab swap or engine trans swap might be my only option then. 

You don't say what condition the donor vehicle is in.  Perhaps the way to go is to fix the donor with parts from your WT.  If it is collision damage, it may be better to simply move body parts.  You will need access to a large enough area to protect both vehicles during the change over. 

[Jsdirt]

Having gone down this road before in the days when these things were easy,  I'd cut my losses and just buy another one that has all the features you want. Sell what you've got for parts, or as a package, to recoup some cash. Remember, there are ALWAYS unexpected expenses / problems when tackling a project like this ... and that's WITHOUT modules or computers!

 

You'll thank me later. Trust me on that one. Much less stress! It ain't worth it for something you'll barely get 10 years out of anyway, and will probably be a constant headache of electrical gremlins.

 

If it were a '95 or prior, it would be worth the effort ... but not today. Just my .02. 

[Jsdirt]

I don't think there's a single thing on these trucks now that you can just simply "swap out". Just a replacement door window switch requires BCM programming from '07 onward.

[Doug_Scott]

You could probably get the steering wheel controls for radio, Bluetooth, mirrors(if they are different), middle seat/arm rest, drivers information centre, fog lights incl headlight switch and harness from lights back to fuse box, and you could take a look at instrument cluster to see if it will simply plug in and work or if you can just replace parts of it to add in the two missing gauges. 

Any other "options" require a lot of work and bcm programming. Options like the dual zone HVAC require extensive changes. 

I would be interested in hearing about adding the two gauges to the existing 2 gauge cluster.  

[Toyboytoh]

7 hours ago, Doug_Scott said:

You don't say what condition the donor vehicle is in.  Perhaps the way to go is to fix the donor with parts from your WT.  If it is collision damage, it may be better to simply move body parts.  You will need access to a large enough area to protect both vehicles during the change over. 

My truck has a 6.0 and fully built trans and regeared to 456 gears front and back and low kms. The donor truck has 520,000km good body but everything in the drive train is shot. 

[Doug_Scott]

1 hour ago, Toyboytoh said:

My truck has a 6.0 and fully built trans and regeared to 456 gears front and back and low kms. The donor truck has 520,000km good body but everything in the drive train is shot. 

You have an HD truck.  Donor truck must also be an HD truck.  Assuming it too is a 6.0 your easiest swap is to take everything attached to the frame from your truck and move it to the donor truck.  With both trucks having same driveline use the best of both vehicles, leaving wiring harnesses where they are.  The ECM should stay with the truck, the transmission has the TCM inside, leave it in your transmission when you move it with engine over to old truck.  Use the best suspension parts, likely the stuff from your truck. 

It's still a lot of work, but it is what I call easy work. 

Your ECM has been tuned to support the gears hasn't it?  You could take your ECM, just need to relearn security procedure. 

[Toyboytoh]

4 hours ago, Doug_Scott said:

You could probably get the steering wheel controls for radio, Bluetooth, mirrors(if they are different), middle seat/arm rest, drivers information centre, fog lights incl headlight switch and harness from lights back to fuse box, and you could take a look at instrument cluster to see if it will simply plug in and work or if you can just replace parts of it to add in the two missing gauges. 

Any other "options" require a lot of work and bcm programming. Options like the dual zone HVAC require extensive changes. 

I would be interested in hearing about adding the two gauges to the existing 2 gauge cluster.  

If I get the BCM and use efi live to change the VIN but not the programming to match my VIN would that work? So I have all the features available from the donor bcm? Because in EFI live you can rewrite Vin numbers on any module without flashing them. It's just an edit. 

[Doug_Scott]

1 hour ago, Toyboytoh said:

If I get the BCM and use efi live to change the VIN but not the programming to match my VIN would that work? So I have all the features available from the donor bcm? Because in EFI live you can rewrite Vin numbers on any module without flashing them. It's just an edit. 

Don't think the BCM works that way. The suggestions I gave do not require BCM programming and are typically simple swaps/installs.  I know this because they were the first things I did.  I bought a leather wrap steering wheel from GM to get the radio controls.