This weekend me and my Dad are going to be installing an overhead console in my '92 Firebird according to the guide on the Tech page of this site. Are there any pre-cautions we should know about before attempting this that aren't listed on that guide? Thanks in advance!

 

I haven't read that article, and maybe you already know this, but just make sure your console is designed for your roof type i.e. hardtop or t-top, since the consoles are different for each.

 

May be something in the following link that will be helpful:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...oth-types.html

I have an extra reinforcement piece and a dome light cover. Should anyone be interested, please PM me.

JamesC

 

Yep, we picked up two actually, by mistake, one was a coupe version, and the other the T-Top version. Luckily the T-Top version was in great condition, because, I have T-Tops, hehe. Thanks for the info guys!

 

I have thought about this as I have one in 87 but not in 89

....... Curious though why does anyone bother ?

The flashlight is lame and about the only useful thing is the sunglass holder which could go in the console. The lights would be redundant because there are lights in the mirror.
The analog "gauges" or whatever they are are so outdated and lame.
So what is the positives that makes this worth the effort ?

 

Perhaps it's simply the cool factor. I still like 'records,' yes, the black things that you put on a turntable, that you have to turn over, that you have to clean, that sometimes have scratches and pops. Yeah, coool, capital C, cat, with no explanation, kinda like thirdgen cars.

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FYI, not all mirrors are lighted.

JamesC

 

Of course, they're lame. Some of our cars are 20+ years old. Lame: goofy 85 mph speedos, wheezy LG4's, crappy gas gauges, Tinker Toy T-5's and so on and on.

JamesC

 

Every since I saw that this was an option for these cars I wanted one, it makes it feel more cockpity I think. I dunno, I just like modifying things I own. Now that I've gotten my first car, that has fallen into that wrath too, hehe.

 

Here's some progress shots!

Me and my dad made a template out of cardboard according to the measurements on the installation guide in the Tech Articles section:



We decided that taking the whole headliner down would be a pain, and were unsure since my 'Bird is a '92 that the proper wiring harness was still in the car, so we decided to not take the whole headliner down, and just make the cuts directly into it. We lucked out, all three wires we need to splice to ended up right there, and the screw holes are pre-drilled, which we also found a bit wierd, but no complaints from us! Here's the cuts:



The overhead console we got is in very good shape, but the dome light connectors were loose, so we decided to JB Weld them into place and call it a night, we'll mount and splice and what not tomarrow, I'll update it!

JB Welding the connectors:

 

Whelp! Me and my dad finished it! First we spliced the connector from the wiring harness into the wires located up there for the stock dome-light.



Then we put the mounting screws into the pre-drilled holes.



After that, we plugged it in, slid it in, and the rest was magic! Looks great finished! Now I need to clean my whole interior, hehe.






I'm very satsified with the way it turned out. I really like the looks of it in my car, and the sunglasses pouch is perfect for my cell phone, I'll just have to get some new elastic for it. I'd reccommend this project to anyone looking for a nice way to spruce up their Third-Gen.

 

I think your photos are very helpful. I'm going to add this link to the one above.

JamesC

 

Looks good, I like it. James is right, the pics are helpful to anyone contemplating the install. Nice job.

 

Yes, cockpitty...These consoles are cool, had one in my 84 ...Am looking for one for my 89 now.....Thanks for the photo's, will make it alot easier...Tom

 

I wrote a guide, but am unsure where the proper place to post it would be. Any ideas?

 

i put one in my 86 cause they are cool and it had potential, i installed power window switches were the lame analog dates are, and the map light is cool.

 

I have one car with and one car without. I don't see the
upside myself. Maybe if they were more functional and useful for something.

 

Cool, in most cases, has nothing to do with either functional or useful. If you don't like the overhead, Jet, that's cool tool.

JamesC

 

Cool is a matter of opinion tool.

 

I think we can agree on that tool. People who buy them and install them think they're cool. No else's opinion really matters in those cases. Done.

JamesC

 

Can we keep the flaming out of my thread, if you don't like it, move along. Anyone know where the proper area of posting an installation guide would be?

 

Ah, screw you idiots. Just like Kerry you put words in my mouth. It was a freaking typo, get over it.

 

Noah, if you contact a mod or the site admin, they have an area on this site where they store tech articles.

 

Bull's right. However, as you know a tech article already exists. If nothing else you can write it up and post it--and I'll certainly link to it from mine. If it gets enough hits, the mods might make it a sticky. I have a couple that were stickied in that fashion.

JamesC