This is something Ive been wondering for years and since Ive seen all the cool custom stuff everyone is doing here to their 3rd Gen interiors I was wondering if this is possible and how it could be done: Installing an overhead functioning trip computer/compass like in the newer GM cars/vans, My sister just got a brand new Olds minvan and I got to see what this gizmo does firsthand and loved it (I guess Im a fan of these gadgets), it displays compass direction, temp outside, range till empty, avg mpg, and other things. Can this type of thing be fitted to a 3rd Gen car that didnt seem to have these type of things stock from the factory?

One other ?, my GTA's interior was partially beige originally, one of the prevoius owners decided they liked an all black look and painted everything black (flat black looking) including the carpet, is this reversible or must I replace everything?

 

WEll, about the overhead console computer thingy, yes and no. IT would not be hard to make the compass and temperature work, since they are simple electronic sensors, probably build into the display circuit board itself. However, the MPG, and miles remaining would require informations from the ECM, things like
throttle position, fuel level, even what gear the car is in. The ECMs in our cars were never designed for equipment like this, so it would most likely be impossible to adapt to fit.

Also, the interior pieces in your car will probably need to be
replaced if you want them tan. you could always paint tan
over the black, but it wouldnt look right. Paint stripper won't
work either because it will eat through the plastic.

 

I was afraid of that (the interior paint question). the trip computer thing would be a nice add on, too bad its not possible.

 

Well, It's got to be possible

 

Actually, that van may have had that option available from the factory, which is why it was possible to install. Mr Parents used ot have an 80 something dodge grand caravan and it had an overhead console with the MPG thing, etc. So the computer on that dodge van was probably already designed for this add-on.

 

what about the rear view mirrors that have the direction and temperature how hard would that be to hook up? i see those in suburbans and always loved them becuz i have a hard time telling direction while i am driving!

 

Well its easily possible to get the compass/temp part in our cars as previously posted, get a rearview mirror like some newer cars have or theres aftermarket versions available too, it would just involve hooking up the power wires right?. Ive since thought deeper about that part and remember those solutions.

As far as the trip computer, after more thought like the guy said about the dodge van, there are aftermarket computers available (or were) I remember JCWhitney had one in their catalog and they stated the car had to be FI. Some kits I found on Ebay (which appeared ancient) were for anything with the correct sensors installed. Just think about this, our fbodies were shipped from the factory with these thing but the corvettes around the same era were, vettes had a trip comp in the dash that displayed inst mpg,range,avg mpg and the like, this display lasted until 1990 or 91 on the vettes. It may be as simple as running a vette ecm? or splicing wires using a wiring diagram. Im just shooting ideas out of mind here but having something like this in our cars would be cool and different I think.

I like the look of the 3rd gen Fbody, far more than the 4th gen or the stangs from 79 - present, and retrofitting something along these lines would complement these looks I think, even better with a 4th gen interior installed.

 

nah, this was a full size van....and it was definitely aftermarket

lol, we now have a 89 Plymouth Voyager as a "backup" car, and it has those options from the factory....

 

I looked at a unit like the one your describing, it had everything, Mpg, compass, Outside temp (OAT) gage, Tach, you name it. they were asking like 15 bucks for it, but when I read the instructions on how it install it I put it gently down, too much mods for me, I am not into cutting lots of wires and splicing them in unless it is necessary.

As for the overhead console thing idea, I am currently looking into just that, I will be putting it in the Cam/bird overhead console where the useless dile thingies go. I have not gotten past the thought stage, but I have purchased the compass and temp display, All I need is the OAT sensor for under the hood.

I will definately be posting my results when I get it done...

John

 

where did you find a unit like that for only $15? for that price, i'd take it to a specialty shop & have them put it in

 

It was at the Oldsmobile Homecoming show in Lansing, MI...

 

Is that where all the Oldsmobile guys go home, because they no longer have jobs??? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I like the idea of having a rearview mirror with a built-in compass. My wife's car does that and it automatically dims when headlights shine through the back window. It's really nice.

 

some thirdgens do have an automatic dimming mirror. shouldn't be too hard if to put in if you can find the mirror. as for the compass, well... you can just do what i did & get a radar detector/compass combo