Pro

Cool deal.
Even behind the handles are the same? (IE how it mounts). I absolutely HATE those push on connectors. I used just some standard sized nuts behind the push-ons, but my handles STILL came loose.

67 Camaro 88

I found that my handles were loose because the pot metal had worn out. The actual hinge nipple parts inside. It's held on the same way my old ones were... two of those stamped 1/2 nut deals.


-Bud

jreese

if you do a 4th gen center console swap, is it better to go ahead and swap the radio console too?

88Camaro350

The 4th gen seatbelts do fit even thought they are a different design. The top part is the same as well as the buckle part. However the piece that bolts down by the seat is slightly different. I cut my stock 3rd gen cover so I could take it off the old belts and put it over my new one to make it look as stock as possible. I will try to get some pics.

85f-bird

if you're swaping 4th gen console to thirdgen dash/radio pod, you won't have a problem .... if you have a firebird.

With a camaro, you'd need a firebird radio pod. Although i'm sure this info is out there somewhere, might as well take care of it in this post as well.

a 3rd gen radio pod from a bird will mate up to the bottom of the 4th gen console pretty decnetly, and in 4th gens, there is no seperate radio pod, if you're planning on doing that, you're doing a dash swap, no other way around it.

Also, automatic 4th gen consoles can be used. But, it does require some modification to the shifter location, the transmission hump in the floor, some grinding on high points in the shifter, stretching the shifter cables, and trimming some fat off the console.

My 01' camaro console was in flush as it could be, looked really nice, however, i recently swapped to a 96 bird console because of my 95 dash (needed things to match in fit and color) looks much nicer.

If you modify your 98+ console, shifter, etc to fit a 98+ automatic, it'll clear a 93-97 console without any inconvience (whatsoever) infact, my 93-97 console dropped in like it was supposed to be there, and looks just about as factory as i'd expect. The only small gap is between the carpet on the pass. side where it doesn't align with the curve of the floor, can be fixed by building up the carpet in that location.

If you have an automatic firebird/maro, it'll be worth the extra time (and it does take a little time) to get the automatic 4th gen console installed. However the look of the console far outweighs the time, and the look is very worthwhile.



Another swapable item (if your interested) are the rear views. I swapped in a rearview to my 85. It's one of the parts on a 4th gen that is normally in good condition, they also have reading lamps on both lights. Run the wires to your dome, and you've got light when you open the door, and light when you press the button, plus they're normally in better condition than the 12-22 year old mirror in your thirdgen, also a tad more round, which cuts down on the "squareness" of the rides.

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1985 Pontiac Firebird-4th gen dash, 4th gen center console, 4th gen seats, 4th gen door panels.
Jasper 2.8L under the hood
Rebuilt 700r4, shift kit, corvette servo, high pressure boost valve.

85f-bird

double post...oops

RSFreak

Or you could do like this guy did. I would have tried to cut the radio part of the console a little bit more flush where it meets the 4th gen console, but this one looks pretty good.

Attached Images

4thgenconsole.jpg (28.2 KB, 6967 views)

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1989 Camaro RS 2.8L MPFI - T5 - 3.42s - weekend cruiser
1986 Firebird Trans Am 5.7L TPI - 700R4 - WS6 - 3.27 posi - summer project

cocacolakidd

I have 4th. Gen LT1/ws6 16" X 8"(salad shooter) ten spokes on my 84 z28. The rear is a 9Bolt with LT1 brakes, the front so far is OEM (except rebult calipers and cross driled rotors, pads etc.). With 2" spacers they fit just right. I went to 235/55/16 (from the OEM 235/60/15) so the outer diameter would be the same at 26.1" (speedo would still be accurate). Soon to up-grade the front brakes to 12" & Dual piston set-up.

Black91Firebird

Hey 85f-bird!


My original manual console has had it, so i found a 98+ manual console on ebay. After spending some time trying to install it i had a question i was hoping you could answer for me.

When i push the console forward as necessary for the e-brake to go down level this lines up the bolt holes to mount it properly. However the radio pod is pushing down so hard on the front of the console that it requires too much force to put the rear of the console down to the tranny tunnel

Is this normal with this kind of install? If so is there anything to be done about it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

FIREBIRD7777

:lala:

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89 Formula 350
99 C5 6 Speed
2003 S/10 4.3 V6

bottledbird68

I second that one!!! I just happen to have a dash sitting in the trailer outside the shop.....

john5.7 87Iroc

Check out the link in my sig. I installed mine awhile back and started to do a write up with pics. Haven't finished the page though but many of the main points of the swap should be on there.

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1987 Iroc 350
GTS tail light covers, 4thGen Camaro SS Wheels w/Sumitomo HTR ZII 275 rear, 255's in front, Bilstein shocks/struts, Energy Suspension, MOOG stuff, K&N filters, MSD stuff, Adjustable Borla cat back, SLP 1 3/4 headers w/ Air born ceramic coating, 3" Catco cat, AS&M LTR's, ported plenum, Serpentine Conversion, Walbro Fuel Pump, Holley afpr 4th Dash Swap 2002 LS1 waiting to be installed !!!!!

XXX__CLICK HERE!!!__PICS!!!!MY CAR_DIECAST_MODELS!!!_XXX

zackz28

nope the brake handle will not bolt up, you will need the entire lever from a 4th gen......

85f-bird

for black91, with the center console top cover removed how does it sit? IF things are in place, it should just fall into place, there might be a problem with your radio box alignment forcing it to sit lower. When i installed my 98+ console, i pushed it all the way forward, made sure it wasn't touching either seat belt (which it would try to do all the time) and lowered it into place. You'll have to get the e-brake through first of course, which requires it being pulled as high as it can freakin go, but the rest of the push down bolt in was a no brainer, and a no prob.

To Web and Bottled Bird, do a search, im sure there are a few on there about how to swap it, the swap is essentially pretty easy, there may a tad bit of cutting required to get everything to sit the way you want it to, however, it's really no big deal, easier than an automatic center console, however more time consuming.

Screamin86

i was plannig on doing the consol swap to 4th gen cause mine is falling appart badly and i had heard that it is better to find a manual tranny counsol for the 700r4 3rd gens because it fits better help?

omnipotentgoku

I would agree as long as you are not using a megashifter console. It will crack it, almost guaranteed..

Screamin86

so the manual counsol from a 4th gen would be best and is there iny way to set up a gear indicator?

F-Bobby

Are there any aftermarket Manual shifters that will not work with a 99 Camaro 6 speed console? I dont wanna put one in and crack the console. thanx.

Console is now INstalled. Had to bump it forward a lil bit so the screws would line up but thats the only problem. Now i just need to fab something for the power window switches. Easiest Mod ever. and it looks totally awesome.

85f-bird

to screamin, you can use the manual console, getting a shift indicator will be a fabrication job, which is exactly why i did the automatic console swap. Looks a tad more stock than using the manual boot over the auto console IMO. its a tad more difficult to do, but worth it if you've got the time an energy, if not, use the manual console, not much if anything needs to be changed from what i've heard, and you'd just have to live w/ not knowing if ur in drive or overdrive, or memorize the position of the shifter lever.

Screamin86

well if i could get some info on how some of you have done the 4th gen auto console swap because i would like it to look original i mean if i have to i already know what gear im in by how far the shifter sits back but that would be great if i could get some info

85f-bird

its actually kind of a lot to post...i've posted it once myself, atleast, probably twice or more...and i actually found a good post on the site also when i did mine...use the search button, shouldn't be to hard to find.

srdynamics1

The center caps from the 4th gen camaro wheels are identical to the 91-92 Z28 wheel's center cap.

383T/A

Are the 4th gen rear seats a easy bolt on? How about the steering coloum will it fit?

rudyt5000

yeah da rear 4th gen seats will fit perfect on a 3 rd gen...i did it and was so easy and i got leather ones so it was so worth it "beautiful" . i also got a LS1 ss aluminum driveshaft easy install in the 3rd gen "beautiful" ..........so is everything on the axles of both interchangeable ? hatch struts ?

rwsturbo

I want to replace the stock grey cloth seats in my 1988 Firebird with 4th gen leather ones. Anyone know if they made light grey leather seats and if so what years? I've seen dark grey and black/ebony on Ebay. Or better yet, if anyone has info to share on color/year combinations that'd be great. Link to another site that has this info already???

F-Bobby

go a 4th gen console question. The wireing from my old cigarette lightws is no where near what the wireing on the new one looks like. Is there anyway to get the cigarette light and the power port to work or do i need to buy the connecter from a 99 z-28 and splice it in somehow?

white91formula

2 power 1 ground


1 power is prolly for the cig lighter itself... and second is a parking light wire so that there is a illumination ring around it when the lights are on....

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Faded

Anyone ever tried the kick panels from a 4th gen?

The metal brace for mounting the dash has a few mounting points on it:
-Steering Column
-Behind console
-Passenger Side
-Drivers Side

The 3rd gen kick panels are in the way of the side mounts... was hoping 4th gens were a close fit.