I just started in on my 93 firebird dash swap and I want everyone to know how to do it! I will try and go through step by step with my progress so others can use this as a refrence. I've noticed that there are countlss threads on wiring these dash's up but nothin on installin them. So I will focus mainly on the install and mounting of the dash more than wiring it up.

First I gutted all the interior out seats, counsel and dash! From there I removed and loose brackets that might be in the way. Then procced to install the dash shell. Right of the bat the 2 end mounts on either side of the car that held the old dash got in the way of the new shell. (#1 pic shows problem area bracket) So I cut at the dotted line and the dash slipped into place. On the passenger side I just bent and twisted the bracket down until it slid back against the fire wall.

with the 2 brackets modified I procced to see which holes (if any) lined up with the dash. Well 2 out of the 5 or so did line up! The furtherest passenger side hole lined up and one behind the cluser area did. Pic 2 shows the hole that lined up behind the dash cluster area as well as the one that needs to be drilled to work!

This about as far as I was able to go tonight! I will update this page as soon as I get further/ complete something, as well as anything that has to be modified or added.

Also note that this not the dash I will be using, because of the tears from the air bag blowing out. Its a mock up dash only. Unless someone wants to buy it form me

Jason

PIC #1

 

PIC #2

 

PIC #3 just how it sits as of right now

 

i'll offer up $5. plus shipping of course.

 

If you seriously want it, its all yours...make it 20 and u got a deal PM me if ya really interested in it!

Jason

 

Thanks for the info as i plan on possable doing this myself as well have not made up my mind yet hate the idea of losing the speaker in the dash but love the look of the newer dashes.

 

Scooby---If/when u do ur dash swap get the door panels to go with it and move ur speakers into the doors there...So u can still have em..

Jason

 

i got the door panals and console. i just like the sound better in the dash verse the door but i would still have the tweeter up top so i hoping that will help and put the right kind of speakers in the door.

 

I'm planning on putting tweeters in the little gap between the dash top and the A-pillars.

 

I didn't know or perhaps didn't notice that the 4th gens didn't have speakers under the dash. Anyone selling the door panels with the woofer/tweeter combo ?

 

Your in the minority then. You get better imaging with the speakers in the kicks or door pannels.

 

Nah, I really like the speakers in the dash too, I've driven some cars w/ kicker panel speakers and i hate it cus i don't get any sound through my legs . Then again i am a tall one.

 

Little bit more progress tonight.

MORE PICS FOR SWAP ON MY CARDOMAIN SITE!!!

I found that the 2 brackets on either side of the dash were just in the way to much. So I cut out the entire bracket. When cutting this bracket be sure to leave a little tab so that the dash will over lap the tab and sit flush with the edges as illistrated in PIC #4..I didnt do this on my drivers side so I will be welding in a new tab tomorrow but my passenger side has it and its really flush and neat.

PIC #4

 

Then the dash lined up really good against the fire wall! I found that the furtherest right bolt on the drivers side lines up really well also...well u have to have a long screw to reach but it does line up and pull the dash in a bit.

After the 4 bolt holes all were snug I started makin brackets to support the lower part of the dash. U could grab the whole shell and it would wobble around so I made a bracket to connect the airbag area to the fire wall. PIC #5 shows the location of mounts for the bracket. This stiffen the passenger side alot!

PIC #5

 

See how well the passenger side lines up with no gap...But the drivers side has a big gap...The tab allows the dash to be streatched and fits snug with the door sill...

The pic shows the passenger side fitment which is excellent, and the drivers side fitment which is horrible. It shows the tab locationa and the green dotted line is how big I SHOULD HAVE LEFT MY TAB...But cut it to far...SO when cutting your bracket be sure to cut it like I have illistrated.

All in all this dash is a pretty easy install...I would say I have 3 hours total into gettin the dash to fit right and fab'ing of brackets.

 

What did you do to get your speedo working? Which wiring diagram did you use to do your swap? How much of a hassle was it to set up your hvac?

Dennis

 

Man, this seems to be the hot topic lately So far so good dude :rockon:

 

TPI---how far are you on ur swap...last I read u were still in the process of doing it...

dieseldennis---I havent even started the wiring nor will I really attepmt to decribe it in this post I want it to be a dash install only post...U can search through a million posts here on wiring.

I would also like to add that anyone can chime in and post what they did to get there dash to fit....But dont go into how to wire things up and such please...

 

Fbirdta878787, all my progress is posted in the sticky above. It's basically done. I just need a radio bezel, glovebox door, and top pad - but that's just cosmetic. Technically speaking I have to mount the fuse panel and secure the loom. As far as "bugs" I'm still struggling with my headlights (which did turn on at one point, but now won't). Lastly, the speedo situation is unresolved; I would connect the original optical unit and hope that works, but am wanting a T56 which would do the trick. In a nutshell, the big guts of it is done, it's in, it's mounted.

 

i have a pair of door panels with the woofer/tweeter combo. if interested email me at freakinretard@hotmail.com

ryan

 

heres the dash..great for mock up

 

:hail: