Ok, got my 4th gen console today... Sweet. So, I have power windows and power mirror.... I have a cupholder where I should cut out for the controls.. Not sure if the mirrow switch will fit. Anyone ran into this and have pics of how it turned out? Oh, the console is 98+ style. Thanks in advance...

 

I'll save you the 50 lashings with a wet noodle for asking the question (since you'e new.. welcome aboard) and just get it over with quick.

This is a topic cover many times and with the same general placement/answer.
Use the 'search' and find enlightenment.

I can't answer for the 'norm' placement but, if you want an alternative to the standard placement of the p/w switches, use some out of a ford and do a little creative cutting on the console.
As for the mirror switch problem.. I'd personally find a way to flush them into the storage part of the console as rear view mirros are not something you adjust/use everytime you plop your butt into the car. That's just me and my opinion though....

 

Thanks dude... I did a search, but obviously didn't search for the right thing / wording / whatever... so I much appreciate it. I did find that I would have to use a BFH and do some remodeling to use the auto upper console because the shifter sets too far forward.

Your console looks great. I like the placement of the window switches. What year / model switches did you use for yours?

Thanks for the input and suggestions... And takin it easy on me.

 

I'll be kind to you since you're new as well.....

Don't have any pix yet (will take some this weekend), but I used a piece of matching plastic (actually an ashtray lid off another console since they are covered metal and a lot stiffer than just a plastic piece), cut down the perimeter so it would fit inside my current ashtray, and then mounted it to the console with a couple of black painted screws inside the ashtray hole. I put both my standard 3rd Gen window switches in there. I can close the lid on the ashtray just fine and then the switches are totally invisible. This required no permanent cutting of the console itself, only 2 small screw holes inside the ashtray where no one will ever see them.

For the power mirrors I took out the little console storage compartment at the front of the console, cut off the front bezel portion about half an inch down into the compartment, and mounted a flat piece of plastic to the bezel portion. That way I had the nice rounded edge bezel for the hole, and the plastic piece just barely inside it. I then mounted a 4th Gen window switch into the plate. They're smaller than the 3rd Gen switch and fit very nicely. As soon as my wiring harness pigtail comes in I'll wire it to the original harness. Again, no cutting of the main console piece, so if I ever take it out it would appear factory original and unblemished (would just need a new front compartment storage piece). Plus I've got room on the new little front plate if I ever want to add a switch or indicator light without have to cut the main console piece.

I looked at putting it inside the large covered console compartment but didn't see a clean and easily accessible way to do it on my 98+ console (not if I wanted to put anything in there, anyway). So I went this route instead. I like the looks of the small F0rd switches on the sides like deadbird did but was afraid I'd always be hitting them with my leg (or my passenger might on their side) so I opted for the hidden ashtray switches. I'm a smoker, but I never use the inside ashtray anyway (smells up the car too bad).

So now the only thing visible is the cleaner looking 4th Gen mirror switch, and frankly I like the looks and operation of it better than the 3rd Gen switch.

Just my 2 cents worth, YMMV of course.

If you want them I'll get some pictures of it this weekend. Just let me know.

Have a Great Day!!!


- Ye Old Phat Phart, Vern

 

Pics would be great! I did some calling around and found 2 rear window switches out of an Escort that I can get for a little bit of nothing, should I go the side switch way that deadbird did.

I like your idea of not cutting up the console also... so I guess I have some pondering to do.

Thanks again...

 

OK, will have some up by Sunday evening.

 

Theres a guy I met at a recent cruise, he had a GTA and an auto 4th gen console. He put the mirror switch on the INSIDE of the console compartment, but it rested vertically on the entire shifter plate. I don't know how much better to describe it.

If you open up the console lid and you see right behind the cupholder, there is a large vertical section (right above the shifter plate screws) The guy I met mounted the switch right there. It was a really clean install and it makes sense, because the orig 3rdgen spot for the mirrors had me accidentally moving the mirrors. (You don't really adjust the mirrors <i>that</i> much.)

 

On the 98+ consoles the shift plate covers that area, but there isn't enough room behind it due to the console base being in the way. I looked at that idea and had to skip it (or do MAJOR cutting into the console and I didn't want to weaken or destroy it that way).

 

Thanks as well. The contour spanned 95-00 according to fordpartsonline.com. They are $20/ea but, I got mine for $5/pr w/harness plug from the junkyard. I also grabbed (broke) the trim piece the switch was mounted in for a template. I drilled a couple holes (3/8" or so) then used a round file to open the hole to fit the switches snugly. A little extra work but, not hard work. Matching the wires was a little bit of a chore since the colors don't match ford to gm but, a little solderig here and there and you're good to go. I do recommend trying to get a least a foot of the ford harness wires if you can/go that route.

89V6.. are you talking about the spot in the below pic ? (green arrow)

vern.. That same thought crossed my mind but, even with my big duff in the seat, there's pleanty of room to avoid touching them...

 

YES that's exactly what I'm talking about. The guy who had the GTA put the switch right there. Pretty sweet, because it doesn't rub the console lid, yet is still stock looking (sorta)

 

I moved my mirror switches to the drivers door panel the way it came originally in 3rd gen camaros. I got GTA door panels and they already have a hole from where a manual mirror controller was installed, so i'll have to fit up the power mirror switch in it's place... i already rerouted the wiring for it but don't have pics because the panels aren't in yet.

 

Here's my console pix for you. Sorry about not getting them up by yesterday as I stated earlier....

 

And another...

 

And one last one (holding to the 3 pix limit).....

 

That doesn't look half bad at all. Not completely fond of the mirror switch placement but, that's just me (which doesn't matter much ).

I like the looks of it but, is your shift **** on backwards ?

 

Well, it only threads n one way......

I just liked he looks of it like that and the feel is great. Especially with my shortened stick length.

Have you seen them on the other way (turned another half turn)?

If I did that the slant on the letter H would be angled towards the passenger side.....

I honestly don't know if you're right or not, but i like it like that.

 

It is facing backwards but it is okay. See if you can get another 180* turn on it.

 

I can't tell you weather it right or not personally.
I just though it looked strange because friend had a rx7 with a similar shift **** that went the other direction which I guess where my question stemmed from.

I like the looks of it though and actually would like somthing like that or similar for my 'bird (haven't looked religiously but, a little) because the stock one has lost it appeal a good while back. Feels alright but is kind of.. eh.. for style.

 

Looks great dude. I have spent the past ... too long to mention, trying to mod the auto upper console to get it to work. No go. Trimmed it, sanded, cut, moved, cussed, threw fits, went to bed and tried again next day... cut more, cussed more, trimmed more... you get the idea.

Going to get a manual shift plate and go that route. I moved the shifter back to the stock postion... should work, right? In my digging around, haven't found anything about moving it for the manual shift plate.

I made inserts for the ashtray for the window switches, and then made a panal for the front like where the above mirror switch is. Would much rather have that switch... What is it out of?

Thanks for the input guys! Sorry for bring up old news again... I searched different wordings and did find a good bit of info.. Will change things around from now on when I search.

 

It's a 4th Gen Firebird switch, 98 or so I believe. Get a pigtail for it, match the wire colors for the 6 wires you can and the other two go to the 2nd pair of grenn and whites wires. Took me all of 10 minutes to wire it up and test it. Works Great!!!!

 

Tip: If you want One touch Window Down, read this thread on Saturn switches. I have the Saturn switches in my console. They seem to match a little better, since they aren't HUGE like the 3rdgen ones.
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...indow+switches

 

Heres where I put mine.

 

OK - I guess my shift **** was definitely on backwards. I turned it 180 degrees, as suggested, and it actually feels better. Thanks!!!