Yeah, so I decided I was gonna play around with my car today and bolt up the 4th gen dash to see what it's gonna look like. The dash is out of a '99 Z28 (have '97 Z gauges, too)

I don't have the harnesses for the headlight switch, gauges or HVAC (which I WILL make funcional) yet, so I'm not actually doing the swap YET so to say.

Anyways, all I can say is what the hell's so difficult? I mean, I had the whole 3rd gen dash out in about 15 minutes (I've taken them out before so I kinda know how to get them out) and had the new dash secured within abnout 20 minutes after that. Here's how I did it:

I basically just removed all the old dash, and dropped the steering colum. Oh, and I took the seats out too...gives you MUCH more room to work. Also, I took all the 4th gen ducting (I BIG piece, held on with 4 or 5 bolts) off the dash, because It does not line up with the 3rd gen heater box. The ducting that was in the car originally will fit behind the dash, and just needs some dryer hose duct taped to it to go from that piece of the ducting to the acual vents. VERY simple, I made all that yesterday. Anyway, to get to the point, I held the dash up to the firewall, and noticed the only things holding it back were the lower side supports for the original dash (you'll know what I'm talking about as soon as you try it. Banged those out of the way...actually, I grapped em with needle nose pliers and bent them down. Took all of 9 seconds. Then, I just lined the dash up with the firewall, and what would you know? The hole on the firewall all the way to the right lines up with the mounting point on the dash. Put one bolt in there, and bolted the steering colum up to hold the drivers side up. Believe it or not, but the dash is pretty damn secure already. I didn't finish bolting it up and drilling two new holes in the firewall lip to bolt the two middle mounting points because I know I'm just gonna take the hole thing off to wire everything up, much easier that way. Like I said, I just wanted to see how it looked.

So, here's the deal with the gap. The A pillars. Is there a gap? Yes. Is it noticable? Oh yeah. In the 4th gen there was heater ducting running to there. Can't really see the point behind tha since there's a much bigger vent right below it, but anyways, that comes off with the ducting that I mentioned earlier. Pretty much, it leaves a 1" X 2" hole on both the passenger and drivers side. I don't know what I'm gonna do about that, but I'll tell you guys when I get to the point that it needs to be fixed. Minor cosmetics at this point. Only other gap noticable yet, is on the sides of the dash. The way I have mine set (which I beleive is the best position, because it's perfecly centered over the seering wheel) There are metal brackets that were originally covered by the dash, sort of side supports I guess. Anyway, the dash coveres the passenger side one, pretty much like it's in the stock location. On the drivers side, the bracket it showing. The dash is right up against it though. So, passenger side has no gap at all, drivers side has about a 1" gap. Again, I'll cover it up, but it's not important yet. Just wanted to note it for those who are asking.

On another note, if you plan on doing this swap, Change the damn door panels to 4th gen ones. Not only do the 3rd gen one's look completely out of place, but if you have a camaro with power windows, well, you can't even get to the switch. And the arm rest is pretty much touching the vents. Just doesn't look like they belong there....AT ALL.

Ok, that's all the info I can think of right now. Wow, that was a long post...Hope it's informative somewhat

 

Oh yeah, forgot one small thing. I can't see why anyone would need to put the computer in the glove box!? There's PLENTY of room behind the dash, unless you're planning on actually keeping the passenger side airbag, but even so, there's still enough room for it...

 

this mod keep growing on me everyday, and after this i'm gonna start looking for one

 

I continue to amaze myself, actually...you guys do

As I said, I don't have the harnesses for he gauges or headlight switches yet, so today I decided to take a little look at the HVAC. Honestly, I cannot understand what everyone seems to think is so difficult about hooking this up?!

I mean, seriously. The fan speed switch thing is a direct connection. The thirdgen harness bolts right up to i. Bam, one switch taken care of, two more to go. Now, like I said before, I don't have the fourth gen wires for the HVAC yet, either. Can't find any of it locally (If anyone has this stuff and wants to sell it, I'm VERY interested)

Anyway, the switch than controls the temp (hot/cold) is different from ours, but it's still mechanically controlled. Instead of pulling on the bicycle brake cable like thing, this switch twists. Simple solution, take the cable off the 3rd gen plastic connecting piece, and slide it on the little **** sticking out of the 4th gen HVAC that turns. Bend the end of he cable to a 90 degree angle. Now when I turn the temp. switch, it pulls and detracts the cable. Bam, one more switch taken care of. Unfortunetly, I don't have the connecters to hook up the vacum tubes right now, as I keep saying, but come on, theres an equal amount of tubes comming out of the 3rd gen and plugging into the 4th gen. All that's left over are a few wires that definatley can be spliced into the 4th gen harnesses.

So, once again, what the hell is so difficult? I don't even have a clue as to how to read a wiring diagram and I can figure this stuff out.

 

91Z... sounds pretty simple.. i didnt think it would be that hard... i have had all my 98 dash, console, door panels etc. sitting here about 2 weeks now..and looking at doing it this weekend.. it is going in my 91Z t top...looks like we are doing the same swap.. anyways wish i would have seen this post earlier today i could have got you all your harnesses and anything else you needed. the salvage yard about 30 min from me has 2 birds and a camaro (well had a camaro till i got everything from it lol) and all the dashes are still in but with blown bags of course. one auto one manual....not sure when i can get back over there though. but if you really need somethings if i get over i can get you what you need. but maybe we can share some info on the swap since we are doing basically the same one. later
Don

 

Do you think you can get the dash Out of one of the birds form the salvage yard. Let me know and if so how much they want for them I will make it worth you while. I can't find one around here and the ones I can find want Like 250 for the dash only with no guages.

 

MTPFI.. yes i could get one of the dashes out of the birds.. not sure of the years but they are both 6 cyl clusters... and the airbags ARE blown... i paid way less then 250 for my 98 dash with all the wireing , gauges, trim, door panels, console, swithes and all... let me know if you would still be interested in it.. i do also know the 2 birds interiors would need cleaned up good.. they have been sitting out for awhile.. not in the rain.. but one dont have doors anymore.. so they have like mildew s**t on them and all...looks like all the parts are there though.. just let me know and i can check

 

oh.. there was another bird he just got in didnt get a chance to look inside.. but it looked to be decent shape so it might have a better quality dash.. but he might want more then he would for the ones that need cleaning... where in pa are you? just in case you do want it.. it would be a good bit to ship.. let me know

 

Here's a list of what I'm still looking for:
4th gen BIRD door panels. Can wait for these. Not important right now
4th gen center console (manual)
4th gen headlight switch wiring
4th gen gauge wiring (at least 6" of wiring left to the harness)
4th gen HVAC connections (don't know what year I would need yet, gota a
98 HVAC controls)

98 camaro Dash pad and radio trim. Damn guy said complete dash with hvac, gauge and headlight switch wiring. Won't return e-mails. $300 for just the main piece of the dash...a$$hole.

 

sorry, submitted that post too early. Anyways, if you could get me and of that stuff I would gladly pay you double what it cost you to get it, plus shipping.

 

i can probably do the 4th gen door panels, the wireing shouldnt be a prob either.. if i can get to it without tearing the dash out.. dont really wanna do that just for a wire harness.. but i can check... the 98 camaro stuff isnt there any more cause i have it but there are now 3 4th gen birds i know 1 is complete.. the other 2 i am not sure if the door panels are there cause the doors are gone but there is alot of the pieces in the hatch... have to check... not sure when i can get back over but ill try as soon as i can.

 

Sounds good man, don't worry about it if you can't get it, it's not your problem, it's mine. Just don't feel obligated or nothing

If and when you do go, just shoot me an e-mail at RyanLivingston2003@yahoo.com just to make sure you don't grab anything that I've already got by that time. Wouldn't want you to pay for something you don't need.

 

i might be able to get over tomorrow or thursday but not sure yet.. another person wants the complete interior from a bird also... not sure what he will charge for most of the stuff.. most places dont like to cut up a wireing harness lol but shouldnt have a problem getting it....so i should be able to get the gauge harness ... defintatly the headlight one if it is the same have to look... console would be from an early 4th gen bird...door panels would also be. cant help ya with the dahs pad or trim piece.. but the hvac shouldnt be a prob either. you need all the conectors from the hvac..i.e.. defrost..blower...vaccum...and hard cable for hot/cold?? let me know

 

Well I am about 20mins north Of West Virginia University, according to mapquest I am about 2Hours and 39 min from Mercersburg. 148 miles away {my other car get 35MPG on the Highway}so I would just Drive to you and pick it up. Let me know price for just the Dash Complete with guage cluster and Wiring/HVAC controls Wiring Ect.maybe console if it isn't too much more. I can get door panels later. and what color is it black or ebony I think they call it or is it gray. I would really like to have the Black (ebony) one

 

ill have to check on the price and color.. but i am pretty sure they are all grey.. didnt get to look at the one he just got.. it is black outside lol... price is prob gonna be like 175-200 depends on his mood i got mine for 200 with the door panels and console. but the door panels he thru in free cause he said just take it all since it was out.

 

if i can get it all for $200.00 dollars I will take it all, just as long as all from a Firebird/TA if need be maybe we could coordinate a time early one morning I will drive up and Help you rip them out. what ever works best.

 

the gauges from 2 of them i know are from 6 cyl... the other i am not sure it might be as well

 

i tried to massage to you on Yahoo messenger but it said that vette_86_99 didn't exsist. do you have yahoo messenger, since we are almost posting real time anyway

 

yes.. message me on yahoo emt_firefighter_23

 

One little thing I did notice, was that there's nothing to bold the bottom of the dash too. I mean, i seems plenty sturdy enough without being bolted at the bottom, but I'm just wondering what others did about this? Fab up your own brakcets?

 

91Z.. there is a dash pad and radio trim on ebay that ends in 19 hrs... not sure if you seen it or not.. just did a search on camaro dash and there it was... 97 up

 

Hey, that's my car . I'm about to finish it up this year if it kill's me.


How about somone make up a plug in wire adapater for the guages . Those gauges in that picture look terrible I cant wait to rip them out , that was a bad ideal to say the least. Oh by the way the color is black, the firehawk interior I put in was charcoal but I dyed everything black.

 

plug in adapter would be good, i would be willing to make them if anyone knows where i can get conectors for the different vehicals to accept the plugs they have.. i have all the diagrams to do it just have to find the plugs... lol

 

Haven't done anything up until today. I FINALLY got all the harnesses for the gauges, headlightas and HVAC. I connected the headlight switch. Easy. Everything matches up, all lights work, etc. HVAC, same deal. All wires match up. I just don't have the vacum tubes/plastic connector they plug into yet so it's not fully functional. Gauges, I matched up everything that matched up and the speedo wire (brown from 3rd gen to green/black 4th gen) And every gauge works. Tach works with no digital box thing, and I haven't tested the speedo yet because the cars off the road right now, but it does turn on. Thing is though, I have a bunch of extra wires that do not match up. I'm assuming that they just go to the idiot lights, which I never cared for much anyway, I'm not an idiot I'll probably figure them out later too, just to make it as stock looking as possible.

Anyway, here's another interesting thing I did. I spliced one of the interior lighting wires into a wire that goes on the sensor that activated the lights when the door is open, so now, When I open the door EVERYTHING that lights up in the interior, lights up. Gauges and everything. I thought it would be cool, and it's a nice touch. My buddy stopped over and I told him to open the door, and he thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

 

Oh yeah, I have the flame overlay for the gauges, which make it all that much more cooloer. They light up orangish/reddish, which looks awesome. You just have to see to appreciate.

 

91zconvt,

You said your dash assembly is from a '99. Are the guages as well? Does your gauge harness connect in back or in the side? I have a 2000 gauge cluster(connects in back of cluster), but the colors dont match up to the diagrams that have been posted (usually for 93-96). If yours guage harness is 98 or above, could you possibly e-mail or post a quick diagram? That would help alot.

 

guess not

 

knhghs,

i have the 98 cluster and dash... what are you looking to know. i have the diagrams also for the wire hook up but i can not get it to load on here. if you need it let me know and i can shoot it to you in email or something

 

Hardest part is making a dash pad to FIT right.........along with the re wiring of the guages etc. you can spend 15 minutes bolting it in.....but you really need to finesse it all. Take your time.....and do it right. Your talking about a dash swap, not an oil change here.

 

i notice you have 5 point harness in your car. are they bolted to a roll cage or the floor or? i want some for my car but have no cage to bolt them to and am lookin for a backseat picture on how to bolt them up. can you help me out customX?

also, how do you make the 4th gen dash fit flush with the winshield? the 4th gens shields are longer, i didint think it fit flush in the 3rd gens

 

I asume your talking about the dash top piece, you have to cut that to the conform of your finally product or atleast thats what i did.

 

If you have the wiring diagrams I need, by all means e-mail 'em over to me. Im looking for the 34 pin connector diagram. The one which mounts in the back of the cluster.

 

the problem is.......if you re use the stock 4th gen pad (97-02 maro at least) it wont fit right. Just look at the pics of the bird up thier that hass been flaoting aroudn for a while, i cant live with that kind of quality.......the pad doesnt sit flush.....and thats the biggest problem witht hge 9702 maro setusp is the gauge cluster part of the dash pad. Not to mention i hate the cheap plastic look of them, as compored to the rest of the dash. I also re coverd the airbag pad to match my new dashpad in a vinyl like leather.

I ended up making my own, and im re doing it as the metal i used in the old one didnt like the heat

 

That picture that has been floating around is my car, and the reason that the dash pad is not flush is because I have not fastened it down yet. It's just sitting there ,because im still working on my heater core and still want to get the motor in before I finish it off. What quality issues are you referring to?

My daily driver is a 95 camaro and the gauge cluster is allot more built into the dash cover, the transam dash I used in my firebird was not as bad hence just the round top part of the gauge cluster no heater vents on either side of the cluster. Which puts dash diffrent angles on that peice.

 

The dashpad as it sat in the pic is what i was talking about.

The guys witht he 93-96 setups have it easy as the pad is pretty much flat the whole way, where as the later model maro at least dash...the damn gauge cluster popus and the stcok dash pad carrys the bulge too far back.

 

after the sun got ahold my first pad....killed it Close cell foam is my buddy now.......ill post a pic when i get it done eventually. Too many 4th gen projects to get much time in on her lately

 

awww ic, yeah with the old 4th gen , the piece just bascially fits right in and its hard plastic, I will take your word for it on the new style i have nerver been in a ls1 f-body.

 

here is a better picture , with the older 4th gen there isnt much you have to worry about besides the gauge cluster and the glove/airbag corner

 

CustomX-- Did you put your window switches where the fog and asr buttons were?

I cant tell from the pic what they are, but if so, that is a great idea!!

 

Custom X--

Did you re-locate your window switches? Cause it appears they are now where the fog light and asr switches would of been?

If so, killer idea