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Steely Dan - AT4X AEV

I want to avoid need/use of the a phone interface entirely if possible, it becomes very driver/phone specific. Let me see what I can churn up before I go that route. A solution may have to wait a week or two.

On a different note, I'm looking forward to the Comeup winch installation at the dealer tomorrow; playing around with it will keep me amused for a day or two, may even get to pull a vehicle or trailer out of a ditch this weekend while riding through a rough steep gravel trail in BC.
Here is how it looks on CarPlay. As long as the app is on your phone and your phone is within range, it will show up on CarPlay.
 

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Here is how it looks on CarPlay. As long as the app is on your phone and your phone is within range, it will show up on CarPlay.

Looks great. I’ll go that route if my method does not work. If I have to go that route, I can put my spare iPhone (yep have a spare with its own line) permanently in the vehicle, perhaps in the console which has a couple of USB ports for charging.
 

Looks great. I’ll go that route if my method does not work. If I have to go that route, I can put my spare iPhone (yep have a spare with its own line) permanently in the vehicle, perhaps in the console which has a couple of USB ports for charging.
Thats a good idea, just pair the power switch with the other phone.
 

Cant wait to see it installed
While they were installing the winch, the earlier ordered replacement rear spring packs arrived, they will continue installation through tomorrow to finish that job too; they lent me one of their courtesy cars to drive home. In addition they will also upgrade emission software (a recall) although I thought they'd done it a while back. The dealership is so nice, they really treat me like family, everyone there.

Bottom line, I should have the truck with winch installed and a set of new rear leaf springs assemblies all done hopefully by tomorrow. No more rear squeak or groans I hope from this magnificent truck (theres another thread about this one).
 

On mine, you don't even have to pull up the app on your phone if you don't want to. you hit the squares on the bottom left of the CarPlay Screen and swipe to the app and it pulls up the interface. I will take some pics shortly.
Did you use one of the Blaze kits for installation under the hood?
 

I did not use one of their kits because of it not fitting on our trucks but if I were to buy it again, I would buy their kit with their mount and retrofit it.

I built my own mount and installed by the battery.
Thanks. I guess you ran an independent cable or cables below the vehicle? to the for two bumper lights; that would be a long run. If I was planning multiple lights/scenarious at the back, I'd install one power cable and a Power Switch somewhere at the rear end. Please share your thoughts. I found my alternative, although the cost is comparitively fractional compared to Garmin Powerswitch, also uses a phone app and needs an annual $6 plan to enable apple play.
We need Garmin to create a compatible app for the GMC; that would be perfect.
 

Thanks. I guess you ran an independent cable or cables below the vehicle? to the for two bumper lights; that would be a long run. If I was planning multiple lights/scenarious at the back, I'd install one power cable and a Power Switch somewhere at the rear end. Please share your thoughts. I found my alternative, although the cost is comparitively fractional compared to Garmin Powerswitch, also uses a phone app and needs an annual $6 plan to enable apple play.
We need Garmin to create a compatible app for the GMC; that would be perfect.
Yeah my final plan would be to have 2 power switches, one under the hood and one mounted somewhere in the rear. That would make life much easier but it is a little pricey. There is another option. GM Makes upfitter switches for these trucks.


Once again, didn't want to run wires through fire wall.

The other thing to note is the connection to the battery. You may not have to deal with it because you have the HD with dual batteries. But on the 1500, I had to purchase the upfitter switch hardware and fuse kit to connect to the battery because GM put loads of power connections on top of the battery and makes it difficult to run any cable to the battery terminal.
 

Yeah my final plan would be to have 2 power switches, one under the hood and one mounted somewhere in the rear. That would make life much easier but it is a little pricey. There is another option. GM Makes upfitter switches for these trucks.


Once again, didn't want to run wires through fire wall.

The other thing to note is the connection to the battery. You may not have to deal with it because you have the HD with dual batteries. But on the 1500, I had to purchase the upfitter switch hardware and fuse kit to connect to the battery because GM put loads of power connections on top of the battery and makes it difficult to run any cable to the battery terminal.
Aha! I fogot you have a different vehicle; my bad. The 2550HD has no provision for upfitter swiches hence I'm looking at these alternatives. You are correct about mine having dual batteries and alternators, very useful now especially with the winch and lighting etc. being installed. I'd run an insulated/waterproof 2 gauge cable to the back of the vehicle, would have to to carefully route it to prevent damage. It would need to have an appropriate fuse link at the battery connection end.
 

Aha! I fogot you have a different vehicle; my bad. The 2550HD has no provision for upfitter swiches hence I'm looking at these alternatives. You are correct about mine having dual batteries and alternators, very useful now especially with the winch and lighting etc. being installed. I'd run an insulated/waterproof 2 gauge cable to the back of the vehicle, would have to to carefully route it to prevent damage. It would need to have an appropriate fuse link at the battery connection end.
Yeah I've had 2 2500HDs and the dual batteries were a dream for accessories, didn't even cross my mind until I started adding accessories. I kind of assumed the baby duramax had dual batteries. I was wrong.

I wanted the least invasive option for switches. Didn't want to cut up the dash for switches or anything like replacing panels to get switches in the cab.
 

I inadvertently ordered a cable from Blaze for my front Diode Dynamics fog lights while I had also ordered ones directly from Diode Dynamics. Ones from Diode Dynamics are night and day better than Blaze; they are really heavy duty, come with a high power relay, solid heavy duty connectors, and even came with three way switch and cost less than half of what Blaze charged. Blaze ones are rediculous, puny thin cables suitable for low power lights, so toyish, a total waste of $129. DO NOT PURCHASE Custom CABLES from BLAZE. Blaze offers at most 50% refund on cables returned, I said forget it; I'll use them to tie a box or something :)
 

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I like those shackles much more then the ones i put on mine. Do you have a few pic with them installed, and possibly a link to where i can research them?
Are you leaving the shackles on all the time? If so, they’ll wear/age and work against the finish on your bumper. If you visit a high property crime area like Oregon, they’re also likely to get stolen. I keep mine in a mini seabag with soft-shackles, winch control, heavy gloves, a recovery strap, a Bubba rope, and jumper cables.
 

Thats a good idea, just pair the power switch with the other phone.
Front fog lights are finally done last night, cosmetics and all; I'll post new pics when I get a chance. Its light until very late at this time of the year in the PNW, need to take photos in the dark to see how good they really look. Despite having a control app on the phone, I don't need the phone at all to operate the lights, I instead use GMC steering voice control button to issue voice commands BacklightFog On or Off, MainFog On or Off (I named switches that way). I'd only need my phone when/if using carplay and if I want to see control icons on Infotainment screen which I'm still waiting on the app vendor to enable however I don't really need it; theoretically any driver in my truck would be able to use voice commands, assuming they knew what they were although I doubt I'd let anyone drive my truck unless for parking etc. I'll work on cleaning up some of its wiring under the hood and install rear fogs and under hood light strip this weekend.

I had to ditch the idea of using my spare phone since only one phone can be active with GMC console and I need to use my primary phone to make/answer calls etc.
 

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