93-96 to 97+ Dash Conversion Project Thread

[BP_Z28]

lookd good B...

You got some balls doing this damn swap

[meissen]

Where you able to get that check gauges light fixed?

Turned out it was most likely the alternator giving bad voltages which caused the check gauges light. I noticed when I took it around the block today as soon as I started driving it was better, but then when I idled in the driveway waiting for my dad to come out and help me back into the garage, the light came on again.

Instead of parking it, I drove over to Murrays and had them test the alternator. They hooked the volt meter up to the battery with the car off and it read OK, turned the car on and the voltage was all over the place... high, low, just right. Turned the headlights on and it was going crazy. The regulator in the alternator went bad, so I replaced the alternator. When I started the car after finishing the install of the new alternator, the check gauge light didn't even come on at all. Hopefully that's all it really was.

All that's really left for the dash conversion is to finish painting the parts and install them. I also have to hook stuff back up that I had disconnected back when I started the install. The dash pad that I've had since 2005 that I thought was for a 97+ Camaro turns out is actually for a 4th gen Firebird I'm guessing as it doesn't fit correctly around the defrost vent -- you can kinda see the gap between the dash and the dash pad in some of the pics. I also have to rewire the fog lights since it's a different button and I have to rewire the rear defrost since it's part of the HVAC on the 97+. Really easy stuff to do though, only a few wires each.

Once the dash conversion is done, then it'll be time to figure out how to mount the CarPC into it's new home. It looks like it's going to be an easy project to do. The biggest decision for the CarPC - do I stick with a 7" screen or do I go big and get a 10.5" touchscreen? If I can fit the 10.5", I'm doing it.

[meissen]

Here's the three options.

[MP81]

Looks awesome dude!

Really, you've done so much work, and it looks great!

You're gonna do a big collection of before and after, right?

...makes me sorta wanna "restore" (or restify, maybe) my interior...my seats are purple, haha.



I like the middle option with the climate control [controls] below the screen - seems to fit the best.

[meissen]

Yeah, but the middle option is also the smallest screen.

And thanks, it atleast makes the job seem a little worth it to have all the pictures for documentation and to really show the work that goes into doing the mod. Although it no way shows the REAL work of trying to fit the dash in.

[MP81]

Although it no way shows the REAL work of trying to fit the dash in.

Or the persuasion (death threats towards plastic dash, cussing, etc)...

...Hell, I remember trying to get my gauge cluster out...stupid speedo cable - those are fun.

I would bet yours is a lot more "fun" though, even without that stupid cable.

[meissen]

Haha true that. The original dash was such a PITA to get out I ended up grabbing metal cutters and cutting the plastic out. I was picking tons of little plastic pieces up all over the floor yesterday.

[MP81]

Ahh, you turned to the "**** this shit" way of doing things.

[meissen]

Yessir, if it ain't going to come out... I'm going to force it out. Especially since I knew no one would want to buy my blistered, painted, primered, sanded dash off of me.

[JoeliusZ28]

I like the first option the best... big enough screen and it looks the most "fitting"

[meissen]

I'm partial to option #3 myself. We'll see -- what I go with depends entirely on what will be the best way to fit a screen into the holes.

10.4" Screen - $199.99:
http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/SHK1040

8" Screen - $169.99:
http://www.gooddeals18.com/c=1VSZNMn...reen__VGA.html

For the prices, the 10.4" seems to be the best "bang for the buck."

[FireBirdGirl02]

I would go for the 8" screen if u go bigger then that its not going to look like it flows well with the car. But that is my two cents.

[MP81]

...poll?

[meissen]

Nope, no poll. I'll be making the decision myself based on how much room I have to work with and the best way to accomplish it.

[meissen]

Cleaned up some stuff on the interior, got the lower panels installed. Getting closer!!!! Just waiting for the a-pillars to come in and then I gotta buy the dash pad still just haven't taken the plunge since it's a $165 part to purchase.

I also still have the whole car PC that I have to redo too.





My little helper, Bailey, climbed in the car and slept in the car while I worked on some interior things.



Last, but not least, all of the junk that I removed from the interior... including the headunit.



*EDIT* By the way... that's my ZAZZLE.COM MIFBODY TSHIRT that I have on! Go to the pit and purchase YOUR Zazzle.com MiFbody shirt and wear it proudly at the M&G!