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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

double post...oops

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

:lala:

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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 ?

 

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???

 

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?

 

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....

 

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.

 

...When I needed a switch illuminated like that, I found the grey wire on my rear defrost switch that goes to the dimmer circuit. I tapped into that, and now my new switch illuminates, and dims.

 

yeah now if i could only figure out why none of my interior lights work.

 

Looks to me like the kick panels will work too.

They're the same piece as part of the door sill though. May need to cut that part off...or use it and cut off part of the 3rd gen doorsill. But otherwise they seem to fit OK (and they cover up the new dash's mounting points.) Also, you will need the 4thgen's hood release.

 

Here's a pic to help show what I mean.

 

as i recal, the door sills do fit, as i've had them on mine for test fitting once, don't remember why we didn't leave them. Pretty much straight forward. Who did the A-pilars? I had mocked some up a long time before, and things actually seemed to workout pretty well, but there was an unfortunate and that's the angle between the pillar and the t-top, that seems a tad off, and i'm having a bit of trouble trimming that to fit, or figuiring how to trim it to fit. So my Q to him is, did he have a hardtop?

 

FYI- 93 Camaro's had yellow characters while 94 and up had white. That may be important if you are swapping 89 and older or 90 andup radios and want the colors to match.

Now- the next few aren't 4th gen Fbody parts-

Power window switches from a C5 may be well worth the trouble if you are doing a compleyely custom interior. C5 corvette's have a great power window switch. It is totally covered in rubber on the buttons and lasts a lot loner than 4th gen cheapo plastic rockers. You will need GREAT fabrication skills to get it to fit. Who knows- you may want that feature if you are using Corvette parts.

Another cool idea for a SERIOUS custom job- C5 wheel pressure sensors. Again, this will require a dash swap. You could also use the HUD display- but you'd need to play with the angle of the throw of the image on the windshield.

Corvette 1978-82 wheels are direct fits for early z28s. I don't know if you want 15x8s- but they will fit... as will Corvette rallyes.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...AUGHMG39J1BK58
or
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...AUGHMG39J1BK58

Word of caution- I had a problem with the carpet I replaced in a 1993 z28 from ACC. It was about a three inches to short in the rear cargo area and not deep enough under the rear seats. Third gens may have similar issues- this is typical of aftermarket stuff.

I think the C5 seats will swap as well with only minor adjustments to get them to fit the stock tracks.

If you want a neat way to get a mini- glove with doors into the rear cargo area (like to cover up amps or something) use 1968-82 corvette cargo doors. You'll need a frame to support the door frame, but the cost is about 175 for fully finished and hinged doors. Serious custom job- but may add the right touch.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...AUGHMG39J1BK58

 

4th gen steering wheel works great. For those with airbags, get the electrical connector (both ends) from the 4th gen donor car, as the connectors in 4th gens were different (smaller), and it's easier to replace the column's connector end than the bag's connector end.

 

Huh, any idea of backspacing or offset?

 

I think it was 4.75...

Whatever it the off-set is- its the same as front IROC wheels!!

 

ok....if you have a 3rd gen CAMARO (mines a 90 automatic btw) what all do you have to cut/trim/buy in order to get the 4th gen automatic console from a firebird to get it to fit flush?how hard is it to get the shifter/ebrake to fit?thanks in advance, and id appreciate it if someone could answer these straightforward and thorough.TIA again.

p.s. what about the 4th gen sun visors?i like the mirrors they have as mine doesn't have any

 

ThirdGen wheels are 0 offset and 5" back space rear, and 5.5" back space front...

 

traksta, don't wanna sound like an "***" or anything, but did you do a search?

I know when i did my 4th gen console i found an post that i based everything on, after finishing my console, im pretty sure i wrote a post describing what i did also...it's a lot of banging, test fitting, more banging, drilling, cutting, test fitting, more cutting, more test fitting, and trimming. Takes a little while, mine was about a day and a half for the swap.

Mods were (off the top of my head) tranny tunnel (banged down) new holes drilled in floor for shifter, shifter cutdown along the high points, shifter plate on the console (trimmed down), installed shifter boot, then spliced the cigerette lighter. IT's not that hard, just time consuming. but like i said, do a search, it's more detailed than that.

 

any info on the visors?

 

Again, a is your best friend. I remembered reading something on this and was able to find this thread very easily.

 

Put these on mine for a while. The brackets are different, I think the angle is wrong or something so I used my old brackets and put the fourth gen visors on them. Some difference in the rod and the visors wouldn't stay up as I remember, no way to tighten them up that I could find. Nice to have the extra side visor and the mirrors though. Can be made to work but I didn't figure it out.

 

I know I'm reviving an old thread here but I figured I'd share my experiance.

I have a mega shifter in my third gen and when I installed my 02 TA console I saw it didnt fit as well. The shifter as it was installed in the 3rd gen will not work its to wide and to tall. So all you have to do to make it fit is 3 simply things.

1- Remove the bracketry that came with the B&M shifter it raises the shifter about an 1 1/2(in) from the normal bolting point. Once these are removed use the factory bolt for the shifter in the upper right hand bolt hole (towards the passenger side) then use self tapping screws on the left side of the shifter and screw it to the stock framing for the orginal shifter (you will have to make new holes in the shifter and the floor panel, which the self tapping screws will do for you).

2- you will have to use a file and file away some plastic on the manual shifter opening. The place you will file is the front and back of the opening where the shifter will sit. There are currently tabs there for the boot to snap in. Once you file away these tabs the shifter will sit right (NOTE: do not file to deep there is no need to file the actual console just the tabs) When finished you will be able to ratchet action your mega shifter just as you did before and everything will clear.

3- If you want to use the manual boot from the 4th gen console (like I did) you have to cut the threading holding the boot together towards the top. Since the mega shifter has such a large width at the top the 4th gen boot will not just slide over it. If you cut away the threading at the top of the boot about an inch down you can then slide the boot over the mega shifter. I just folded the excess boot material down inside the boot itself to give it a nice clean look.(NOTE: you will not be able to snap the boot into place on the console like it is supposed to. You will have to tuck it under the console and 'fluff' it out to cover the tabs in the opening. If you don't do this when you ratchet action your shifter you will pull up on the boot causing the console to pull up with it)

So if you have a mega shifter and want to use a 4th gen dash IT CAN BE DONE EASILY. So don't let that stop you.

 

How bought a pic of that?

Brett

 

Sure not a problem. I'll go take a pic and then post it in a little bit.

85 Camaro Sport Coupe
-91 Z28 Grd Efxs
-69 358, 255 rwhp
-TH350 trans
-97 Trans Am Interior
98 SVT Contour #49 of 6535

 

Here you go man hope this tickles your fancy.






It can be done, enjoy!

-Mike

 

What switches are those in front of the shifter? The ones with the blue stripe (indicator light?) on either side?

 

That's a complete 4th gen dash replacement, isn't it?

 

Those are my manual switches for the dual IROC-Z fans I'm running in front. I have an electronic switch thats supposed to turn them on when it hits 180, but I don't trust it. So I just flip those puppies on everytime I start the car.

Damn skippy. I don't have power windows or locks and I didn't want to upgrade so I had a hell of a time finding manual door panels from a 4th gen. But I did. Still have to dye them though. I found them in tan.

-Mike