Yep, it's half of a third gen camaro console (the radio enclosure area), and a 93 - 97 Trans am console. Sooner of later I am going to order a 5 speed console plate, so the shift pattern is correct.

 

Driver's side....

I just measured, cut, test fit, cut, recarpeted, and installed the whole mess.


Btw, sorry about the interior being filthy, I really need to clean it! Believe it or not, that's new carpet (about 1 year old)

 

Yikes! I just noticed the seat belts. I have a whole new set of black ones that I just have to get around to putting them in...

 

Looks good man.And you do need some seatbelts

 

What year is that console from? 93-96 was one style, and 97+ was a different style. I'm trying to put a 97 console in my camaro, but I havent figured out how to make it fit, or if I want to hack up the dash to make a 3rd gen firebird radio pod fit. BTW it looks very nice.

 

-Exactly- what I was thinking when I went to install the console. I thought that it would fit right in, but the firebird radio pod is WAY too big to fit in the camaro opening. After looking into it a little more, the guy on here who did the late console used a firebird pod, and had to cut the dash. He was also having some trouble getting the firebird box to stay put from what he was saying an the pictures he sent over. [thanks Stuart69427!] This one I think came out of a 95 if I remember correctly, now that I think about it the crossover year was 97, so there is the 93-96 style and 97-02 style. The later console is the same for the camaro as the firebird if folks are looking for one. Anyways, I did not want to hack up my dash, and I had a really nice console that I did not want to chop up in there. I just used a spare console that I had, and measured and cut the radio section off. I will grab some measurements if that would help. It not nearly as complicated as it sounds to do!

 

Lookin sweet Erik! I wanted to do the same thing, maybe when i get through with the motor work. later

 

Btw, the console you have and the one I used mount up the same. I also had to cut off that tab that is used in the 4th gens to mount under the radio/dash area, the big one that sticks out. I also blended that forward edge out so it mated with the trans tunnel snug. Then, I skimmed a little bit of the forward bottom section, but this would only be an issue from what I can tell with the 93-96 firebird console. Thanks for the compliments folks!

 

Thanks bro! It is kinda a cool upgrade, and I enjoyed figuring out a way to make it work and look good.

 

tks. Tell me about it, geez I sure am glad that someone had a spare set of nice black ones. :sillylol:

 

hey how much did you pay for the seats and the console? I wanna put 4th gen seats and a 4th gen console in my car but was trying to figure out about how much im gonna have to dish out for it...from what ive seen on ebay its prob gonna be around 500$ to do it... imo totally worth it..

 

Hmm. I just had a thought. I wonder how it would look if the lower portion of the radio pod was cut to conform to the shape of the 4th gen console, then you carpeted the bottom part of the 4th gen console? Hmm... I might have a new project.

 

Nifty idea! Creative thinking and innovation are some of the things that makes this site and it's members so great. Good luck, if you need any more pictures or measurements, let me know.

 

Yep that sounds about right, IIRC that is about what I have into them, maybe a little more.

 

one more stupid question what does IIRC stand for?

 

If I Recall Correctly.

 

Hey Erik, looking at it again, i think that if you were to put a charcoal carpet in there it would really set it off! I know you just went to all that work on the seats and console but i think that would look great, and you wouldn't have to worry about the carpet getting dirty in less than a year like that. I am talking about the color on the radio console and the door panels! Still looks good though, nice work!

 

has to be the nicest install in a camaro yet! what dimension did u cut the console too? that is a really clean install. and i agree on the black or charcoal carpet, but looks awesome as is. i only wish some day my camaro will look as good as yours!

 

Looks great,,best camaro install I have seen yet!!

 

Thanks folks!

I will grab the dimensions probably this coming week, maybe I will do a write up to go along with it if I knew where to send tech articles. I will problably replace the carpet again, but with something darker. When I ordered it, the color was supposed to be the same as I had, med gray, but it was much lighter. I will have to give it a good cleaning for now however.

 

I liked it in person, and I like it on here. Though I just noticed your steering wheel cover. I think I had a similar one on my 76 TA. Ever thought of gettin another steering wheel?

 

Yeah, take care of the steering wheel cover and the accelerator pedal and you'll be all set.

 

Yeppirs, I have been keeping my eye out for a 4th gen leather wheel in good shape that does not have a poped airbag.


As for the pedals, I will probably either remove the covers on the brake and clutch (they were on the pedals when I did the swap) and put the oem rubber ones on, or just find a good matching gas pedal cover.

 

Well i just recieved my 2001 Trans Am 6-Speed Console today and had a few questions for you, ES87iroc

1. What did you use to cut the exsisting 3rd Gen console...
2. Is it possible to E-mail or post the steps that you encountered while installing it??
3. Did you have to cut anything on the 4th Gen console?
4. What problems did you occur?
5. Did you need to drill new holes to mount the 4th Gen console to the floor and finally....
6. What about the emergency brake did you have to buy a new one, or did you use the exsisting 3rd gen one??

Thanks in advance, sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to all this custom work, I work better when i have a set of directions in front of me...

 

Glad to see more people doing these swaps. Do you plan to do only the console FLYNLOW92rs? My 4th gen interior project is moving along slowly. So far I have door panels from a 2001 T/A with the 5 and 1/4 speaker spaces. Working out a deal for the complete dash still. Might end up with a 4th gen Camaro dash (was hoping for a T/A dash with the A/C vents for guages). No luck with a cosole yet ....

But I do know that to match 4th gen consoles to 4th gen dash assemblies, they need to be from the same model years, 93-97 and 98+. If you put in a 2001 T/A console and plan to do a dash later you need a 98+ T/A dash to have it fit flush. Just a FYI

 

damit, I didnt know this, oh well I already got my firebird dash from a local junkyard ($50) complete boy did I rip them off. Anyways its from a 96 and I wanted the console from a 98+ so I could have the cup holders, guess it wont work now.

 

actually it will still work. but the problem is that between the top of the console and the bottom of the dash there will be a gap. in all honesty, I have only read about people mix matching different interior years from Camaro's. T/A stuff might not have the same problems. You might have no gap at all when you do your swap. keep us updated! if there is a gap you can solve it with the upper console piece from a SN95 mustang. makes for a nice pocket to fill the gap and can hold cellphone, cigs, stuff like that. good luck o the project!!

 

Hey I went and searched and found the post where I talked about the consoles. I researched the 4th gen boards ad found this:

So it sounds like you shouldn't have the gap problem with T/A parts. Sorry for the scare! But for anyone who does get the gap, the fix is above. I think to make it look nice it would need a custom fiberglass piece to fit behind and on the sides of the center console storage bin from a 95 Mustang molded to the Camaro dash and console pieces and re-carpeted. Just an idea.

 

I just realized the person who made this post hasn't posted in 2 weeks....

Can anyone else answer my questions???

 

will a 4th gen camaro fit right up to a 3rd gen camaro

 

What about power window switches?

 

Don't 93-97's have cupholders too?

 

For the power window switches you would either have to keep the stock 3rd gen switches and mold them into the 4th gen console (PITA), or you can use the 4th gen widow switches from a 4th gen door panel (assuming you're doing the doorpanels too) and rewire it to work. If you only want to do the console, I think a good place to fit the 3rd gen widow switches would be at the upper portion of the console where it meets with the dash.

 

Let's see here...

1. I actually just used a jig saw with a normal fine blade, however it is probably not the best thing to use looking back. The trouble with it is that it tends to heat the plastic up so much that after you cut a section and move on through, the part you just cut melted itself back together. If you go slow though and pull the sections snuggly apart so they can't melt back together, it works pretty well.

2.Sure thing, I will also post it up in here. I need to take a few pictures and measurements, I should be able to get to that this weekend.

3. The late (97-up f car) console should be a direct fit. I shaved a little bit of material off the bottom of mine (TA 93-96) right where the trans tunnel peaks up, so it sat down a little better. I did not have to do that, but if you don't the passenger edge will be sticking up off the carpet. The later console does not have this issue.

4. I can't really think of any trouble using this setup after I figured out to reuse the thirdgen camaro radio section, that was the big thing. Once I decided to use that, it was cake.

5. The 4th gen console bolt holes match exactly where the third gen's holes are. You don't need to cut, drill or anything, the console portion is a direct fit.

6. I just reused my third gen e-brake setup. It is in the same spot as the 4th gen one. I would recommend removing the two 10mm bolts that hold it down when you swap the consoles, it makes it MUCH easier to manuver things around with that somewhat movable. Just be sure to put them back in when you are done, you will probably need a swivel type socket or an in line swivel would also work.

7. You will need to make some type of plastic mounting arangment for the window and hatch switches, I cut out the ashtray area on mine and made a plate that fits over that area. I would not have done this however if the ash tray lid was not missing. Steve86TA has this console as well, and made a plate that neatly fits in the ashtray and you can still close the lid. If you also have the hatch remote release, you will need to find a place for it. You can only fit the two window switches in the ash tray area and have the ash tray lid intact. I was able to fit all three because I removed the whole ash tray setup. On the later console, I would make a plate that fits in or over that little storage area on the very front of the console. That would be much neater than cutting the ash tray out, I just did mine becuase the ashtray was already gone, and I am planning on getting the corect 5 speed shift plate. (The ashtray area is part of the shift plate)


Phew, that was a mouthful! Hope this helps, and post back up with how it's coming along or if you need some more pointers. Good luck!!

 

Good deal! But the late console should still work.

 

I just put mine in where the ash tray goes. When I get a new shift plate, I will make a plate that fits under the ashtray, and probably relocate the rear hatch switch into the inside of the console box I think.

 

Nope, the goofy tape rack (comes up to flush with the dash, which would take the place of where the radio and climate controls are. The 4th gen camaro radio area is in the upper dash.) would make it a severe pain to try and adapt. The 93-96 camaro console is fairly cheesy looking IMHO.

 

Yep, it has one in the center of it, but it's a poor design. It has a large notch in the front of it (for a coffee cup handle I presume?) which makes anytime you hit the brakes it will dump it's contents into the shift boot area. Add to that it is pretty shallow, only about 2" deep, which makes it a really bad idea to put anything liquid in there and not have a towel handy. On the late ones (97-02 f cars), the notch faces towards the passenger, which aleviates this problem. Plus, there is a swing out cupholder, and two built into the rear of the console as well. (4! total)

 

Thanks.......:hail: :hail: :hail:
I'll post if i have any more questions or concerns, other then that you have been a GREAT help......

Hopefully i can get some updated pics to my car soon, which will include the 4th Gen Console Swap......

 

I recently got a fourth generation console off of ebay for $90. It is in like new condition. When you go on ebay search under 93-02 camaro/firebird, thats were I found mind. Looking for the nice leather seats now and we'll be in buisness........

1986 Trans Am stock (for now)

 

that is one nice interior!!

 

I want to do my interior soon! ... damn you guys tempting me to spend money!

 

Hey this might be a dumb question, but I really want to swap in a 4th gen console into my 87 TA... but I have an automatic. Will the swap still work? Ive heard that it can only be done with the manual. Anyone know? Anyone done it? Anyone have any pics of the swap into an automatic car??? Thanks in advance...
Justin

 

if someone makes a precise tech article on this I will personally send them a check for $20.

 

Sure can, it's a piece of cake. I think you are confusing the type of console though, you want to use a 4th gen manual type console, or you could use a automatic type and replace the shift plate with a manual one. I have heard of some folks adapting the automatic plate, but it is a severe pain.

I have tought of writing up a tech article, but I am not sure on who I would send it to? I am open to suggestions.

 

So lets say I want to put a 4th gen console in my 83 Camaro Z28. What 4th gen console do I order that will not give me much pain. I have a TH350 tranny with a megashifter on there. Should I order one from a T/A, Camaro, auto, or manual. Please give me a starting point.

 

For the easiest way to go, I would grab a 97-up fbody manual console. The Firebird/Camaro consoles are the same part from 97-02. The megashifter should be fine, but you won't be able to see the shift pattern, (PRNOD21 or PRND21 in your case) this is the same way with the stock auto shifters as well. Most people don't need it, and on the 82-87 cars there is no indicator anyways for what gear you are in.

I will start writing up a tech article as soon as I have some spare time and take some pictures to make it a little easier for folks looking to do the conversion.

 

I have a 99 SS camaro console and it looks nothing like yours does in the front and I'm not to sure I can evn match it up to my 3rdgen radio part of my console. Do I have to cut the 4thgen console as well? I think you said you cuy the tabs but was that all? Thanks alot dude! Nice Ride!!!

 

Thanks! I actually have the 93-96 manual Firebird style console, which takes a little more work to get it in there. The later model console is a pretty direct fit, once you make the radio pod. If you can grab a picture of the console and post it (overhead view), I will "paint" in the lines that need to be cut.

 

Sweet I will do that but I will have to emil them to you since I don'y know how to host pics. Thanks again.