1986 Fiero GT 6cyl [Work Log]

**JohnWPB** · 05-21-2009, 06:51 PM

Good suggestion, I will just have to toy with it and see how it looks, as I would like to have the screen lower.... as mentioned just a case of not too low to be blocked by the shifter.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I saw that big shifter.... I wasnt sure if the camera was close to it, or if it was really that big. I also started to think about the AC controls, I know new cars use electronics, but older cars (especially AMERICAN) used that weird air tubing system to change contols and stuff. Also that pull line stuff. So relocating those will be almost impossible.

Actually I got lucky on this one

The controls are all electronic. The only thing that is not, is the cable to move the vent door from hot to cold. Surprisingly, they can also be seperated very easily from what I read. Here was another project where someone was re-designing the center console:

**HiJackZX1** · 05-21-2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Good suggestion, I will just have to toy with it and see how it looks, as I would like to have the screen lower.... as mentioned just a case of not too low to be blocked by the shifter.

Actually I got lucky on this one

The controls are all electronic. The only thing that is not, is the cable to move the vent door from hot to cold. Surprisingly, they can also be seperated very easily from what I read. Here was another project where someone was re-designing the center console:

Oh WOW, I bet Nexson could do something like that for you!

**JakeDragon** · 05-24-2009, 01:11 PM

Good luck on your build.

I want to also replace my center console with something that looks better. The stock center console liked to separate from the plastic skeleton and would need re-glued and will never hold up to the Florida heat.

I like the back part of the dash but the gage pod and the center console are dated bad. I don't really want something out of a new car but would like to use the Fiero dash as a building block.

It will be interesting to see how your build progresses.

**JohnWPB** · 05-24-2009, 10:43 PM

Welcome to the MP3Car forums! I have a good idea of how I am going to do the center console. It will be something based on the idea of the above wooden one. Separating the A/C controls give some extra space, as well as reducing the radio to a single DIN from the present 1.5 DIN. I just am going to rearrange things in it, as well as probably add some newer / more modern looking A/C vents.

EDIT:

Something like this for instance:

**Injector** · 05-25-2009, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Welcome to the MP3Car forums! I have a good idea of how I am going to do the center console. It will be something based on the idea of the above wooden one. Separating the A/C controls give some extra space, as well as reducing the radio to a single DIN from the present 1.5 DIN. I just am going to rearrange things in it, as well as probably add some newer / more modern looking A/C vents.

EDIT:

Something like this for instance:

are you going to upgrade the other vents as well? because 2 round vents and 2 squared vents might look a little off

**JohnWPB** · 05-25-2009, 01:34 AM

Yes, all of them would be the round ones. I have all this planning going on now, trying to measure, sketch up what it could look like, and really have not started to do actually anything as of yet heheh. It's all in the early planning stages, and any part of it could change at any time.

**HiJackZX1** · 05-25-2009, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Welcome to the MP3Car forums! I have a good idea of how I am going to do the center console. It will be something based on the idea of the above wooden one. Separating the A/C controls give some extra space, as well as reducing the radio to a single DIN from the present 1.5 DIN. I just am going to rearrange things in it, as well as probably add some newer / more modern looking A/C vents.

EDIT:

Something like this for instance:

Why not cut out the middle man and just get rid of the head unit? Only thing you would have to do is buy a 4 channel amp and discreetly put it in the trunk or under a seat. Doing that will give you more dash space to work with.

**JohnWPB** · 05-25-2009, 03:37 AM

I like having a head unit as a backup audio source in case of puter problems. But mostly, I like it for the real volume knob. Yea yea, I know, the shuttle and such, I just like the simplicity of the head unit volume.

I also have a parrot blue tooth kit that interfaces with the radio for hands free calling ect.

I just cut out some cardboard to the size of the console area in the car. I took tons of measurements, and it looks like everything is going to fit just fine. The Vents, A/C, controls, 10" screen and the head unit.

It will all work, BUT I really wanted the A/C vents on the side. There is just no room what-so-ever to do it. The instrument cluster butts up right against the center console. Otherwise I would have come up with something similar to this:

There is just NO way to do it with the room that I have to work, thus the plan "B" of having the A/C vents on the top.

**Enforcer** · 05-25-2009, 06:26 AM

Just did a wiki look at this car.

I assume this is how the whole looks on yours

Did Pontiac just give the responsibility of designing and building of the dash to a group of preschoolers armed with only cereal boxes and washing up liquid bottles and then some stickybacked plastic to stick it to the shelf that is the back of the console?

**JohnWPB** · 05-25-2009, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Enforcer

Just did a wiki look at this car. I assume this is how the whole looks on yours.

Did Pontiac just give the responsibility of designing and building of the dash to a group of preschoolers armed with only cereal boxes and washing up liquid bottles and then some stickybacked plastic to stick it to the shelf that is the back of the console?

No, actually they were first graders, and they were also allowed to use milk jugs as well. These first graders were only allowed to use a straight edge ruler, and not get fancy with any curves and contours

But....Yes, that is the stock dash on 99% of Fiero's, with a few differences in the tach and speedo based on the engine ect.

If all goes well, it will look nothing like that when I am finished with it

In perspective, the Center console & upper center console are quite easy to modify. Re-Designing the dash gauge cluster is much harder to do. I will start with the center "floor console" and the center radio console first, and go from there.