Ricco

OK, i started my 4th gen dash swap

I have cut off both the mounting brackets on the side where the old dash mounts and got the new dash mounted up to the firewall.. I have attached it with just a couple of screws and have my first questions..

Please dont tell me to search, i have read sooo many dash swap threads and researched this soo much, i probably have read the answers somewhere but i have forgotten with so many threads and so much reading to try and troll through.. I even searched through Neil's build thread this afternoon as i thought i had seen it in there at somepoint..

Anyway, questions..

1. The right one of the two mounting holes in the middle of the dash doesnt quite line up with the hole on the firewall, do most people drill a new hole for this or just massage the dash until it fits?
2. I now understand the problem with the mount on the drivers side being an inch or so gap from the firewall, did anyone cut away at the side of the dash on the drivers side to get the top mounting point nearer the firewall?

More questions will be coming soon

Ricco

Next questions... For the wiring, most people use the 3rd gen dash harness i assume? But do y'all literally cut the instrument cluster connectors off of the 4th gen harness and start soldering the wires to the 3rd gen harness?

Do most people manufacture some kind of bracket for the bottom of the dash in the middle where it almost meets the transmission tunnel?

Cheers,
Richard.

ssean92

iTrader: (10)

I havent finished mine yet but you will need to figure out what you like. I think I am going to finish mine in the ext few weeks

Ricco

fast377

iTrader: (4)

1. Drill new hole
2. No
3. I did an LS1 swap so I don't know
4. Made a bracket to bolt to trans tunnel

Ricco

Thanks man, i appreciate the reply. When you did the LS1 swap did you use the LS1 body harness then I assume? Did you run into any problems connecting other things such as headlights, Wipers, steering column connections?

fast377

iTrader: (4)

I took every inch of wiring out of the donor car and swapped it into mine. I also used the LS1 steering column. I'm still not done with everything, so the wipers, window motors, trunk release are still not hooked up. The headlight and taillight I had to change a little...mainly just add length of wire. But other than that, everything pretty much just fell into place.

Ricco

Thanks, I would love to hear how it turns out, I thought I had heard that wiring up the wiper motor is a pain with the 4th gen body harness.

fast377

iTrader: (4)

I don't think it would be that hard to wire...just a matter of figuring out what's what.

It will be a while before I mess with that though. I have some larger issues to tend to first. I have a rather large oil leak from the rear I need to fix.

stage20

iTrader: (3)

in every dash swap thread i see where its short on the side, and i didnt have much of an issue with it.
i used my stock trim piece there. my factory 3rdgen dash bracket was bent towards the drivers door to push the side of the 4th gen dash outwad to eminate the gap. it looks factory.
good luck with the swap.

Ricco

Can anyone answer my q on the instrument cluster connectors? Do you all just cut off the connector from the 4th gen harness and graft it to the 3rd gen harness?

Thanks,
Richard.

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

be careful when you connect them and do it correctly. Solder, heatshrink etc.

I read somewhere that most of the connections are the same, but please don't hold me to that. Just check the fourth gen compatibilty thread.https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ring-good.html

Ricco

Thanks, don't worry, i have done a lot of reading and research.. read that thread at least twice.. but never seen any pics of anyone's actual handy work on the instrument cluster connectors..

Anyway, you do just cut them off right?

FlamedROC

You will just cut them off and wire in the new instrutment cluster wiring. Try and get as long of wires off the new cluster connector because it will make it alot less of a hassel. If you have any questions post up I will help you out

Slepewesel

iTrader: (1)

Yes, do yourself a favor and do it properly the first time before you put the dash in. You dont want to have to take it apart to re-do things. I made "J"s witht he ends of the wires, wrapped around each other, soldered, and then heat shrinked.