How To: 4th gen console in 3rd gen Firebird

Blackcrow64 · #1 10-18-2006, 05:06 PM

I don't hop over here to the f-body section very often anymore as the Talon has primarily become my project but I decided to share this with you guys... I have been slowly working on a few things with the Firebird to add a custom touch to it...

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=628888

Anybody else ever tried to put a 4th gen console into a 3rd gen before? I'm wondering how rough this is gonna be since its an automatic... lol

Enjoy and let me hear your comments and opinions.

blindeyed · #2 10-18-2006, 10:29 PM

I've seen the console swap done before. You lucked out by having a Firebird and wanting to do the console swap, the boys with Camaro's wanting to do it have to cut their radio pod sice it's attached to their console. Most guys I've seen with auto's go with the manual console so you wont have to modify your shifter any. From what I've seen and been told, the auto's dont line up, so you have to "somehow" move your shifter farther back I believe. That's why most guys just get the console with the manual portion and just use the shift boot. Here's some examples:

Some guys even swap out the entire dash and door panels, which I just think is awesome.

>> This pic is really freakin big <<

And here's an idea of what you can do with your power window and mirror buttons:

Hope this helps!

Blackcrow64 · #3 10-18-2006, 11:55 PM

Thanks for the pictures... That does help a good bit. I had no idea the door panels would fit that well...

I figured it would have been easier with a 6 speed console but I wanted it to look nice and factory and thats why I went with the auto... Hopefully it doesn't give me too many problems. I think tomorrow I will start working on it.

wrightz28 · #4 10-19-2006, 12:15 PM

A good majoity of the interior can be adapted with middle effort. I saw a 3rd gen convertable with a 4th gen interior and it was, it looked, well let's just say I had to kiss my wife and the cheek and go to confession.

Blackcrow64 · #5 10-19-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

A good majoity of the interior can be adapted with middle effort. I saw a 3rd gen convertable with a 4th gen interior and it was, it looked, well let's just say I had to kiss my wife and the cheek and go to confession.

lol Thats awesome. Are that many other pieces really interchangeable?

wrightz28 · #6 10-19-2006, 12:40 PM

It looked like the rear 1/4 pieces were the toughest. But I've heard the dash, doors and seats are relatively low on the difficulty scale.

Blackcrow64 · #7 10-19-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

It looked like the rear 1/4 pieces were the toughest. But I've heard the dash, doors and seats are relatively low on the difficulty scale.

Great, I don't see center console on that list... lol I hope this isn't gonna be harder than I thought it would be.

The only other thing I will probably swap out would be the seats next summer. If I still have it at that point...

Rally Sport · #8 10-22-2006, 04:40 AM

Damn, that stock radio looks really great.. I want to go back to stock.. I dont like how mine looks and it is starting to show its age.

Blackcrow64 · #9 10-22-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally Sport

Damn, that stock radio looks really great.. I want to go back to stock.. I dont like how mine looks and it is starting to show its age.

Mine was too, plus the aftermarket cd player sucked compared to this new one... Just wait till I get the 4th gen console in there later this week.

Blackcrow64 · #10 11-03-2006, 01:32 PM

Well guys, I got the console all in finally... Lemme tell ya. The trying to use the automatic shifter plate with the 4th gen console was a PITA. I had to cut the shifter mounting brackets off and beat the tranny tunnel down a good inch or so. But everything fits perfect now and works properly. All I have left to do is wire up this 4th gen mirror switch and mount it and my window switches.

Nobody in the E/T/L section seems to care about the Firebird project so I'll just post the pictures up in here for ya.

Oh yeah, I also did some changing to the Monsoon brackets and now it is in perfectly straight and nice. lol Gonna look into a different T shifter too because that one is ugly with the new console in.

Whatcha think?

**EDIT**
Here is a picture of what it all used to look like. Just for comparison purposes to those who didn't know what it used to look like. lol

wrightz28 · #11 11-03-2006, 02:49 PM

Nice

I thought you were putting the whole dahs and console in?

I still say, it adds the much needed pop lacking in a 3rd gen.

Blackcrow64 · #12 11-03-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Nice

I thought you were putting the whole dahs and console in?

I still say, it adds the much needed pop lacking in a 3rd gen.

Oh no, I love the dash my 3rd gen has. It has more of a racecar look to it than a 4th gen dash IMO... The consoles are just damn sexy from a 98+ though. lol

Now I've gotta do something about those door panels...

They just look horrible. Don't ask what I was thinking long ago when I was 16. lol

I'm thinking about just redoing them with new material with a tan/black mix.

wrightz28 · #13 11-03-2006, 05:19 PM

Oh no, don't get me wrong, the overall blend is nice, I like

blindeyed · #14 11-03-2006, 09:38 PM

Wow, looks awesome man. Bet it's nice to finally have some cup holders lol.

Rally Sport · #15 11-03-2006, 11:09 PM

That looks awesome, man. The door panel though is just hilarious looking.

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