I added few new toys (overhead console how-to on pg 2)

Brad91Z · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 8:41 am Post subject:

I was also thinking of putting the clock up there. There are 2 problems with that. One is that the clock is a bit too large for that opening and I would have to build a new case for it and the second issue is that I wanted the clock where I can easily see it and the overhead console just a hare out of my viewing angle when driving.

Brad

cor112600 · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:06 am Post subject:

looks sweet brad... ive been pondering the idea of one of those in my car for a while now

1991z24 · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

How did you mount the console?

Brad91Z · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:48 pm Post subject:

I will post more details when I get the how-to written up but in a nutshell, I made a simple bracket that bolted to the console and then bolted into the stock dome light mounts in the roof. That took care of mounting the middle of the console. Then I had 4 other screw-clamp things that I made up to hold the rest of the console close to the headliner.

The overhead console is real sturdy. OTTO can vouch for that. I showed the console to him last night when I went over to visit.

I should have pictures and a writeup ready in the next few weeks.

Brad

Brad91Z · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject:

Here is the how-to. Hopefully Jason can get it on the site sometime in the future.

Overhead Console Install

I have been pondering installing an overhead console for over a year and this November, when wandering through a junkyard, I found a great console. It came out of a mid 1990’s Blazer and it has a dome light, 2 map lights, sunglasses compartment, garage door opener compartment, and one other place to put stuff. Some come with a digital thermometer and compass which I would like to put into my car if I can get one for cheap.

The following is a guide for how I installed this overhead console into my 1992 Cavalier.

The first step is to fit the contour of the console to the contour of the cavalier roof. There was a bit of trimming that needed to be done to make it fit properly. I used a dremel tool and a cutting wheel to remove about 1.5” of material from the mating surface of the console. To do this first carefully peel back the fabric that is on this part and cut away the plastic. Take your time with this part. Make smooth cuts and stop often to test the fit on your car. Time spent fitting the console to the roof will ensure a good final product. This step took me about 2 hours.

When you are all finished cutting the console, use some spray adhesive to reapply the fabric to the console. Let this dry for a few hours.

Next is the fun part. We will have to remove the headliner to mount the overhead console to the roof. To do this first remove the existing dome light. (mine broke, but we are replacing it anyways, so it doesn’t matter too much…) Then remove all of the trim that surrounds the headliner. There will be 2 pieces on the A-pillars, 2 pieces on the B-Pillars, 2-pieces on the C-Pillars, 2 pieces over the doors, and 2 hooks that screw into the c-pillars that all need to be removed. Then remove the sun visors. Now the headliner should be ready to come out. CAREFULLY, unclip the front and back of the headliner. There are 4 little Velcro clips, 2 in the front and 2 in the back, that need to be removed. Then you should be able to completely remove the headliner from the car.

With the headliner out, it is time to make the bracket for the direct mount for the overhead console. This part I will only briefly describe because it will be different for different applications. The way that I mounted the console is as follows: I had one hard mount to the existing holes where the stock domelight was mounted. I had to make a bracket that mounted to the overhead console with holes that matched the ones in the roof. I also had to tap the holes in the roof and fine some machine bolts that fit the holes. The bracket was made from a piece of steel that I had laying around and it bolted to the overhead console and had 2 holes that aligned with the mounting holes in the roof.

After the bracket was mounted to the console, I used 4 other small, clamp-type mounts to further secure the console to the headliner. I had a bolt, which went through the console and headliner, and on the backside of the headliner had a speed nut and a washer so that when tightened, these clamp mounts hold the console up close to the headliner. (see my nice paint picture of this setup.)

The wiring for the overhead console is pretty simple. There are 3 wires from the console: Orange, white, and black. The white and orange wires need to be hooked up to the existing wires from the old dome light. The ground can me made directly to the roof. I used spade-type connectors so I can easily remove the console in the future. I would test the lighting before all of the final mounting of the headliner. It would be bad if you have everything all mounted only to find out that the wiring is messed up!

With the overhead console mounted to the headliner by the 4 clamp mounts, reinstall the headliner. It is much easier to have a friend help you with reinstalling the headliner. While your friend is holding the headliner in place, bolt the console to the roof through the bracket that you made. Reinstall all of your trim pieces and you should be good to go! Enjoy!

Let me know if this makes any sense. The pictures will be in the body of the text when it is posted in the how-to section.

Brad

Brad91Z · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject:

Damn, the pics are in reverse order and I had 11 pics. Here is the last one.

Brad

psquare75 · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:02 am Post subject:

Ya know.. I'm not too crazy about the console/headliner sandwich. I know it'll work fine... just seems like a hassle if you ever want to remove it.

When I did my windstar console, I used a piece of sheet metal screwed underneath the front, and stuffed it between the roof panel and the metal support structure of the roof (tight fit), and the rear bracket is actually a gutted dome light.. it is held up by the dome light base.

Just a thought.

Brad91Z · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:06 am Post subject:

That is a good idea too. I dont mind taking out the headliner to remove the overhead console. I just wanted something that was plenty sturdy. I didn't want the thing falling down on my head while I was driving.

Good idea though.

Brad

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