92 zzz28

Title says it all...

How do I get the Fbird radio pod to fit in my Z???

I swapped in an 02 center console and trimmed up the stock radio section off the old console, but it just isn't doing it for me. There is a gap in the left corner between the two and the lines don't look right to me. I aquired a radio box out of a 3rd gen bird and it won't "bolt on". After doing much searching today I have determined that cutting on my dash is not going to happen. If I have to fabricate some sort of bracket to attach the radio pod, then so be it. That's fine. BUT how and where? From what it looks like to me, it won't even fit in the area where to stock one fit. Pics would be great if anyone has some up close and personal pics to help guide me.

Thanks all,
Ryan

67 Camaro 88

Drill a hole or two in the dash... put some screws in it.
It does not fit flush on the sides either.

Mod is easy to do a 1/2 *** job and be tempted to leave it... most everyone doesn't do it well. I've seen very few that finished it the way it should be done (IMO). Myself being one of the ones that didn't finish it the way it should have been ...to make it look like it belongs. Lots of people take pictures that make it look better than it really does.... like the one I'm posting.

I haven't finished mine yet.. still..I have to figure out how to cover the top that shows. No time to do anything lately, sucks.


-Bud

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

When i put a 98 Z28 Console in a guys 87 Iroc i was building for him, I mounted the pod to the console (using 2 screws) and then i cut out a piece of plastic (after using a cardboard templete) to cover the top of the pod that was showing and also used a piece of carpeting off the original console to glue to the piece i made to cover the top.

ES87iroc

I have not seen one done yet that I thought looked good. Most are just ploped in there. That's just my opinion though.

92 zzz28

I appreciate you guys getting back to me about the pod. I have kinda put in on the back burner for now. I just cut the stock box and fit it in there, I don't like the way it looks though. Besides the fact that the stock red carpet sticks out like a sore thumb, there is a gap in one of the corners that is very ugly. I think the best thing for me to do is just really ponder the whole thing for a while. Maybe a custom fiberglass box would be the ticket...

ES87iroc

Done right it looks pretty good!

67 Camaro 88

Closer with different angles would be helpful.

From what I've seen in the past, the lower corners of the original Camaro console do not line up with the 97+ console, I'm interested to see how you fixed that problem... as well as the sides you cut the original console to fit around the new one.


-Bud

92 zzz28

I would post some up close pics, but I think it looks like ****!! I try to maintain high standards and this project is just not turning out the way I wanted it to. Sometime in the future I will remedy it, but I just don't have time now...

Z28_from_Europe

Made my own out of mdf covered with the same carpet as rest of interior:

AlbertaFbody

you always could make a new one that fits properly out of fiberglass wouldn't be that hard and you can also get texture spray to match the textures then just paint

67 Camaro 88

You know I'd thought about carpet earlier, might not be a bad idea to cover the top of the firebird pods. To remove the screws, just push the carpet out of the way. I dunno.

That bottom left corner of the original camaro console part would irk me though. The ones that I've seen from different angles...it sticks out like a sore thumb... looking from straight on.

Thats probably one of the best looking ones that I've seen with a clear picture of what's going on. Good stuff.


-Bud

92 zzz28

On mine it sticks out very badly. Must do something!!!

92 zzz28

IROC from Europe,

Thats actually very funny that I read your post when I did. I just finished making a speaker box for my Camaro this afternoon and have a good bit of MDF left over. My dad suggested that the MDF would be very easy to make a radio box out of after I suggested the fiberglass idea. Well, maybe I have a weekend project now!!

AlbertaFbody

fiberglassing is soo easy its not funny i am making one with some flusher mounting controls and for my deck then painting it to the same color of my car kinda ***** but meh i think it will look good

Spdfrk1990

Z28 from Europe that looks great i might end up doing that what yr console is that. ES87 yours looks pretty good also.

stage20

iTrader: (3)

ive got a custom dyed BLACK firebird radio pod, with brackets ive made to make it a complete bolt in deal. no cutting or modifying the dash or the pod.

if you have the parts, i can prolly help ya with some tech, or a few pics to get you started.

92 zzz28

By all means!!! Show the brackets, how and/or what you made them from. If you want to give me dimensions, that's great if not just a few pics would be sufficient. Installed pics would be great as well. I have a pod in great condition and metal working tools, saws, welder, torch, etc...

Thanks!!

Spdfrk1990

I would be interested in buying something if some1 made me one that had black carpet.

smokefan

z from europe that looks great. what year is the concole that you used.. i would like to try something like that too.

Z28_from_Europe

I think the console came from a 1994 firebird.
The radiopod was realy easy to make, most of the time was used by taking measurements for the side parts (specially the curved part where the front of the console is).
In total it took me about 3-4 hours for the pod to make.
Greetings from Holland!

stage20

iTrader: (3)

sorry it took so long.
the 1st bracket bolts to the 3rd gen camaro dash frame. there is a lil plastic on each side when you remove the stock console. i chose 4 total screws, 2 on each side. then you have a solid piece of plastic to screw the radio pod to. it uses the factory 2 holes on the radio pod, you just have to grind off the aligning pins on the back of the bracket(youll see when you do it) i put the radio pod in place, then forced the console into place and used the factory 3rd gen mounting holes for the 4th gen console. NOW you can mount the radio pod. drill 2 holes in the plastic that was installed on the dash, and run some screws threw the pod. its not 100% gorilla proof, but it will stay in place if you dont force it around, and the cd player only skipped on large bumps. this set up is for sale becuase im doing the 4th gen dash.
this might help some of you out. NO cutting to anything, pod OR dash.
LMK if you have any questions.

stage20

iTrader: (3)

the bottom bracket(as seen in the below photo) hides any and all mounting tabs, brackets, screws that was used to install the pod. the bottom piece of plastic sticks up just above the firebird faceplate, but its almost unnoticable, and hides the mounting hardware nicely. i made the plastic to fit where the stock hvac controls go, and trimmed it to the correct length after playing with it several times.(to get it low enough to not be seen, but yet still hide the mounting screws and brackets).
im sure if you still had the hvac in the car, you could make a similar bracket. again, NO mods to the dash OR the pod.

peace!