I wanted to do something completely different, so after searching long and hard here's what I came up with... Oh, and yes it does fit. It's a far more difficult install than the 4th gen console but when I'm finished it will look like it was made to fit the car. I've almost completed the base for it- which was well over four hours of work in itself. I'll have mock install pics and info hopefully by tomorrow...

One more pic:

The console is out of a Mazda RX8

whoa...thats tight.

You gotta do something to the dash now though

That is sweet. It's all the same length and everything? What about the shifter?

That's slick! Can you share what changes were necessary?

That looks great. I need to go console hunting at some dealerships and see if I can come up with something cool like that.

Salesman: "Hi, what can I do for you?"
Me: "Just checking out center consoles."
Salesman: "Center consoles?"
Me: "Yeah, you know, that thing between the front seats. I figured that in order to gain points with the opposite sex, I need a new center console."
Salesman: "Oh....."

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I am building the upper part of the console between the top of the console ashtray and the base of the AC vents on the dash. Somewhere in the middle I'm throwing in a double din all in one dvd player. If you meant get rid of the thirdgen dash though, I won't be doing that. I might be one of the few out there that actually like how it looks. I had a chance to grab a ebony dash out of and 01 TA for cheap but passed on it. It would have been a huge amount of work and I have yet to see a completely flawless looking install. Here's the dvd player...

This console will extend all the way to the back seat and actually butts up against it (with a little cutting) like it was meant to be. No more unused space in the rear. The ashtray at the front of the console lines up almost exactly in the same spot as the stock radio. The shifter sits almost perfect as well. I do have an auto though, and If I recall right it may have been a little difficult (but still possible) to put it all the way down into first.

I bought one that had two cutouts for heated seat switches. I was ecstatic when I tried to fit the thirdgen switches and they dropped right in!! All I had to do then is cut a hole for one more. At the back of the console just behind the second storage compartment there is some excess plastic the needs to be carefully cut off completely right up to the second storage compartment's lid. Underneath the console is where all the fun really begins though, as there are a number of notches and and couple curves that need to be dealt with in order to get the console to drop right on a custom base that must be built. Also, the stock E-brake will not work with this console. I'm going to install an RX8 hand brake that I picked up. All in all, it's a great console. It comes complete with two storage compartments, four great cupholders, and titanium accent trim that (possibly a future project) can be painted to match a color on your car.

I actually like the third gen dash also. Well the 90-92 style the most. But there is just too much plastic lol. The center console in these cars is just way too square for the dash also.

Very cool though, i like this idea a lot.

Very clean...Looks great!

Wicked cool. Aren't dash/console swaps fun? That's the sad thing about 4th gen swaps, in the end you still have cheap GM plastic. The mazda piece is really going to add a lot of upscale quality to it.

Kevin D.

And just what exactly do you think that Mazda console is made of?


Anyway, it looks kinda cool outside of the car. I'd really like to see what it looks like inside the car. Keep us updated, and have fun.

Here are a few in car shots with the console...

Just took a few more so you guys can see more clearly how it's going to fit when I'm done...

genius

looking good

lookin good

damn that looks good!!!!

wow...amazing...congrats!

It looks very nice in the car, but will it make it so that back seat won't be able to fold down?

Thanks for the replies guys. I hope to have my interior project finished soon. I began the E-Dead V4 sound deadening pad install this morning, so the console is being put off until I can finish the pad, carpet and wiring installation... I plan to have the whole interior redone within a month. I plan on taking plenty of photos though, so I'll keep you guys posted.

Yes, my backseat will no longer be able to fold down. However, after my interior is completed I will no longer have a reason to fold it down, or hatch space for that matter. I'll give you guys a heads up though, don't hold me to it but I'm pretty sure its dimensionally possible to fit RX8 seats into a thirdgen F-Body. Although, it would probably take a clever-minded highly determined individual to get the back seats to look right.

What year RX8 did that come from, sorry I just dont know much about mazdas or their years.

well rx8's started in 2003 or 2004 right? maybe even later than that

I dig it. Not only will it provide more storage compartments (utilizing the dead space between rear seats), it actually kind of flows with the rounded contours of the 91/2 camaro dash. Not sure if I'd keep the silver, but I definitly love the originality. Best of luck with a clean install!

I agree!
Looks nice!

George

Thanks for the replies guys.

Mazda RX8's (as far as I know) began production in 2004. The console in the car is actually a crossbreed- I actually have two consoles, one off a 2004 and one from a 2005. The console in the car is actually a mix of the two. I selected the best looking side trim pieces off the two to create the one you see pictured. The side trim can be scratched fairly easily if your not careful. Even now, these consoles are in high demand by RX8 owners for this very reason. They are definately not cheap, and it would cost a small fortune to purchase all parts of the console from a Mazda dealer. RX8's also have a various number of options offered on them, six speed and auto being the most obvious. The seat switches are another option, and definately a much appreciated one on my part. The RX8's can also come with the Grand Touring Edition package. This essentially is gps navigation. The switch you see right above the thirdgen switches on my console is the control switch for the gps (zoom, enter, etc.) One of my consoles did not have this option but I decided to install the shifter trim that did (for looks) since I will have the in dash dvd player. Also, just to add, an auto console can easily be turned into a manual console by unscrewing (four screws) an auto plate and adding a new manual shift boot. Its as simple as that. One more thing, my 05 console was an auto and also has the rear storage compartment and lid but only has half a base covering the bottom of that compartment. Funny thing is that it appears to be a completely factory deal and not some hack job. Maybe some Mazda guys can help with that one... Finally, there is a special edition RX8 that is being sold in Japan right nowand soon the U.S. Sorry, I forgot the name of the edition. Anyway, it comes with piano gloss black side trim that looks absolutely amazing!! Also if I remember correctly, buyers can choose different colors of leather for the lids (white, red, etc.) to correspond to their interior scheme. If anyone else is up to the task of trying this swap, I say go for it! That's the whole reason I posted my idea and console on here before its complete. So that other's might be able to get a jump on it as well, and in the process come up with even more fresh ideas. Just remember though, it will not necessarily be cheap , and it will most assuredly, not be easy.

I have a full day on Thursday to work on the car so I'll keep you guys posted... -Josh.

Well, I think I am going to have to jump on the band wagon with you and try this mod as well. It will be a while before I can do it, but I plan on keeping in touch with you as soon as I am ready to do it. I'm glad to hear that you can get the leather in different colors, hopefully the red will match my interior. It looks great, and it is an awesome idea. Kutos to you.

updates???? I really want to see how this turns out.

looks good

i want to see more pics

Sorry about that guys. I was able to install the sound deadening pad in the car. Then stuff kept coming up and I haven't had the time to work on the car since. I should have time to finish the console part of the interior before the weekend though... I'll keep you updated. -Josh

Looks good. Keep us updated.

Can you move the shifter into the lower gears? It looks like it might be a bit tight.

Im just wondering.. what about the e-brake?

Yes, it would be possible. But, as I said earlier it would be quite tight trying to drop it all the way into first. I have a stock shifter for my auto 700r4 tranny. It may not possible to run a 5 or 6 speed shifter without some sort of further modification to the console.
As I stated before the stock e-brake will not work with the console. Someone probably could get one to work though. They would have to fabricate some sort of adapter so they could angle the thirdgen E-Brake upward so as to work with the console's design. As for myself, I'll be attempting to run an RX8 E-Brake. The plan is to hopefully somehow make use of the stock cable in the car... I'm very determined to make it work. Here's a picture of the Rx8 E-brake that I have...

That's about the hottest console swap I've ever seen on a 3rd gen! This is the kind of stuff I come here for!

Ok, a few quick updates... Progress has been good, and the base is complete. I'll be covering the base with some quality black carpet. I've also decided that I'll cover the side trim with some 4oz. white leather that I have. If I don't like how it looks though I'll be able to remove it easily... Another thing that I'm going to do is install the 4th gen coin holder that you can spot in some of the pictures. I'll be putting it in the base of the front storage compartment of the console. I am also working on something special for the upper part of the console. The RX8 e-brake is going to be more difficult to install than I first thought, but I'll work something out. One other thing to note is the base at the rear of the console. I didn't want to have the inner sides of the seats look squished or slanted up against the sides of the base, so I decided to cut out openings for them to sit correctly. They protrude through a little less than a half an inch at the most. I'm going to have the carpeting overhang this area anyway. Hope to have some more updates later in the week. Here's some pics...

that looks awesome! its good to see a dash swap that isnt a fourth gen swap (however i do like those). i cant wait to see how it turns out?

and what is a ford builder magazine doing in your f body????!!!!!!
HERATIC!!!
j/k

I'd say gauge bezels with a satin finish would compliment and tie the console in nicely.

In fact, any trim anywhere with a satin trim would work.

Thanks for the replies. I have considered the possibility of adding gauges above the dvd player. I'm not sure how it would look though since it would be a tight squeeze. Maybe I'll try that on down the road...
I added a 4th gen ebony coin holder to the console today. I also recieved some ACS 1000 series carpet for it via UPS today. Here's the coin holder...

It's ok, JUST KIDDING! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL ! GREAT JOB! I'd love a new one like that in my 86 Z ! Keep up the great work!

+1 for u, that is freakin sick, cant wait to see the finished project.

Thats awesome with the coin holder and using the white leather to cover the sides, but wouldn't black go better instead of white. Maybe I read it wrong, but its still cool either way.

Thanks for all the support. Sorry about taking so long though to get back to you guys.

Black would look good, but I'm going with white leather instead to match the color of the stripes on my car. I'm also going to have white leather inserts on all the rear panels as well as on some custom door panels that I'll be making soon.
Still working on the console (and a lot else) but I should have some major updates by the weekend. I'll post a couple of teaser pics for now- ACS 1000 series carpet has been installed in the car and on the sides of the lower console. Note: when the picture was taken I was having trouble getting the console to set properly because I failed to anticipate just how thick the carpet was going to be compared to stock. This is why the shifter is lined up in the pictures in a less than perfect location. Here you go...

That's pretty sick dude. Nice work!

but I wonder how long it before everyone is doing the swap in there third gen Camaro now that they have seen you pics.

EDIT:I wonder what that would look like I a Trans Am

+1


that makes my 4th gen console look like a hak job.




oh, wait, my 4th gen console is a hackjob!

I like that much better than the 4th gen, just my opinion. Good luck doing this.

Side note, makes you wonder what other consoles may fit out cars out there.

Looking REAL nice..looks like it fits like a glove and I you get a bit more storage to boot!

BUMP

want to see any updates ^_^

I will hopefully have my interior completed a couple months from now. I have so many projects going for the car its not even funny. Tomorrow I'm going to finish putting on new front suspension. Subframe connectors should arrive any day now... I once again have the interior torn apart so I can have some peace of mind when I have them welded in. My goal is to have the car completely finished, including a repaint, within six months. I'll keep you updated and post some more as soon as I have it put together. -Josh