wrsjr

I am looking at upgrading my console to a 4th gen one. What would I do with the power window switches and rear hatch switch that are on my '91 console? Have other people relocated them to another part of the car or cut out holes for each of the switches?

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

I used one from a 2002 Camaro with 6speed plate upper. I removed the ash try door and insides, cut out a panel from ABS plastic to hold my orig PWdo switches, put 2 orig F-body allen/knurled screws along the back edge to mount the plate and screwed one in from the front under the plate for support. The one from the front comes fron the pastic lip under the rear of the shift boot and runs under the front-center of the new plate. It just gives the plate a rest support. Heres a pic of it done.
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Heres one full shot

2tonedmaro89

what my buddy did was left the door and put a piece of plastic under it and mounted the switches up...so u dont see the switches when the door is closed

Slepewesel

iTrader: (1)

I put in a 4th gen dash and door panels in my 91 Z, and added power windows, mirrors, and locks. So, I just wired everything up to the stock 4th gen switches in their appropriate locations.

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

I had did it with the door 1st, but it was just a nuisance to flip it open every time and the door looked gay open all the time. A straight on pic I found

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Crappy pic... But I put my switches in under the door. Looks cleaner when the door is closed...and flipping the door open isnt that big a task. Takes .2 seconds.

I installed a small red lamp, and painted most of it black so that only a small amount of the forward facing side was exposed. Then rigged it so it goes on with the door open, and off with it shut. When you open it, the light from the forward side of the bulb reflects off the piece of metal on the underside of the door, and casts a neat glow over the switches. I did it for passengers mostly...not like I need to know where they are.

Alittle more work? Yes... Do I think its slick? Yes... Is that all that really matters? Yes...



J.

toxik IROC

iTrader: (12)

hey ghettocruiser any chance you can tel me how you rigged the light up to go on when door openes

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

I can describe it to ya... It was pretty simple and I didnt think it would work. I just used a micro switch. The switch is closed when not depressed, and opened when it is depressed. its one of those switches with the long metal "trigger" arm...like a N20 throttle body switch.

I just glued it in on so that part of the door would hit it when closed and shut the light off. There is an arm that has a spring attached to it on the door, and I think thats the part that I have hitting the switch. I did it a few years ago...and Im about to take the console apart again so I can probably snap a pic.

I know my description sucks, but you just gotta find a switch and attach it however you want so it stays. Wire it inline with the ground wire. Or atleast thats what I did.

J.

This is basically the switch I used. Just not with such a long arm. Though, that longer arm may help with mounting options...

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

I have a 4th gen center console with the auto-plate and I just installed the switches in the stock location, I'll have to take some pictures....

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

That switch idea is cool. I just preferred having no door. I used the manual console though I have an auto. I was unsure if the gate slider would line up for one amd preferred the boot like the orig auto console had, IMO it really set the Pontiacs apart from the Chevy. Plus I was contemplating a 6-speed swap =) Looks good. IMO they are much better looking than the orig box design with the padding parting ways

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

When I put the one in my Firebird, before I converted to manual windows, I used a piece of plexiglass and put them in the ash tray (and made sure I could still open and close the ash tray door to cover them, when not in use)

When I put a 97 Z28 console into a 87 Iroc-Z, I moved the hatch release up to where the cigarette lighter is, since the 97 console had 2 power points, then made a switch panel and put it in the ash tray for the power windows, again making sure I could still open and close the ash tray door.

Orinackra

I'll have to get a pic of mine, but I kinda did what Mnformula did, and put a piece of plexi in there. Mines smoked. And I have a light for mine too, but its the light that used to light up the auto indicator. I have ti wedged between the switches, so it lights up the whole thing with the normal interior lights. Not quite as awesome as Ghettos, but I like it.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

And cupholders, too!

IHI

iTrader: (1)

why stop at console, do the whole interior! really gives the car a completely different feel inside...in a good way. and then you can just wire everything up to the 4th gen switches

CrabhartLS1

That is beyond awesome, but If there's one thing this forum lacks it's a reliable walkthrough and series of good pictures on how to do the swap.

crap and you did the doors too. How man how!?

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Before i type another long winded post, try doing some searches and see if my user name pops up anywhere. Reaistically, I did not use any HVAC components since it's a toy car, so i got to cheat by not messing with that stuff. Installed my own guages in vent holes as you can see so guages were easy, transfering pwr to windows was a piece of cake also, just a matter of lengthening wires and figuring out skematic on 4th gen switches.

Dash took maybe 1-2 hours and is very simple to install, almost self explanatory once you get into it, you have to bend a few brackets on the firewall/kick panels but other than that, it bolts right in. but dash requires door panels and those are a PITA, took me about a day to fit both and get locks to work, plus i cheated and used existing 3rd gen handles...panels did'nt come with 4th gen stuff so i improvised.

big difference trying to make a 4th gen dash 100% functional vs doing an astetic route like i did....i was able to cheat alot.

CrabhartLS1

You know weirdest thing everyone says to do a search but the names i get and the links i'm pointed to don't work and are far from answering the questions I have.

Cool to hear you didn't have that big of a problem with it. My future project will be a little more involved. On the doors, what specifically was a pain in the ***? I think your picture is the first in which i've seen 4th gen door panels in a 3rd gen.

Slepewesel

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. I put an interior from a 95 Firebird in my 91 Z28 and it changed the look/feel of the entire car. Still have some minor things to finish up, but damn it looks nice in there.


You want us to come drive the car for ya, too?

and more

Read, read, and do some more reading.

There is plenty of info on here to do the swap, and yes, you will have to do a little work and figuriing by yourself to do it. If you havent already figured it out, not EVERYONE is doing this, so there isn't going to be post after post of people with "walkthrus" on how to do it. Wiring diagrams are easy to read. If they are not for you, learn how to read them before you start.

As for doing the door panels ... Test fit, trim, test fit, trim, test fit, trim, etc. The doors require some trimming, and so do the panels. You'll also have to figure out how/where to mount the 4th gen handles if you use them. Do a search, I know I posted a pic of the 4th gen handle on here somewhere to make that a piece of cake, but I dont feel like looking for it at the moment.

Do a search on here and you will find your answers. Shr00m has several REALLY good threads on the 4th gen interior swap I got a lot of info from. Same with wiring (you CAN find info on wiring ALL the 4th gen switches for windows and mirrors and locks on here) and console fitment.

Damn kids want everything handed to them anymore, no pride in digging in and doing a job.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Not to sound too lazy, but like slepewesel said, the info is out there, you just have to really dig your heels in and search for it sometimes. Like most of the things i do, I'll read until i think i scoured the internet for everything out there so i feel a little more at ease, but even then it boils do to just doing it. You can have the best instructions in the world, but until your knee deep and seeing what needs to be done for your application, all the info in the world will not help you a bit.

I seen it was done, so i knew it could be done. Ordered everything from Hawks from a 98 birdie and went to work with the dremel, and drill and made it happen. Dash like i siad almost falls into place, then you just need to cut dash pad to fit windsheild countour of our cars. make sure you properly brace under the dash pad since the rake of the newer dash leaves the dash pad hanging in mid air...i did'nt brace enough and have to upll windsheild back out, add additional support and then install the new pad i have in the basement and hope that works better the 2nd time. the gap that's left over between new dash pad and firewall will be seen from outside the car. Use a marker and draw a line on the outside of the windsheild for reference. flip windsheild over and tape it off above that line, then use flat black paint and paint the are below the line...this will look factory and hide the back of the dash board.

doors, lots of cutting, tweaking and this is a per application bit here...no one size fits all, you just have to mock it and do it until she fits.

Orinackra

I kinda like our dashes, so I did just the doors, and used the stock switches mounted to blank 4th gen switch plates. It was a pain to finish... and its not completely done. I stilll need outer windows felts, and the weatherstripping block at top, but theres alot of little gaps here and there.

steveo346

I LIKE THIS CONCEPT...IM GONNA TRY TO THIS ON MY CAR

jmm70

do happen to have pics of your door panels? if so could you send them to me because i'm wanting to do the same thing.

Orinackra

you asking me? I can dig some up, give me a few days.

firebird896

Where would you put the the power window switches then?

Slepewesel

iTrader: (1)

I used the 4th gen switches in the stock 4th gen location ... on the doors.

Legal Disaster

iTrader: (6)

I did mine the same way as you but didn't like the way it looked with the camaro dash. I put my hatch button in place of a conv. top switch from a bird. I've since taken that console out and modded a stock one that I think looks more clean and slick than a 4th gen console in a camaro, pics when everything is done