How To: Relocate Console Switch to Dashboard
 

Many of you have been watching my 87 Carrera "Jenny Craig" thread on weight loss.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/423361-438-lbs-gone-5-days-my-build-story.html


I wanted to post separately some items that might be useful, where you did not have to dig thru my boring thread to find it. One of them is the switch relocate that I could not find a ton of info on, so I decided to document it for the forum as I have received much more from this forum than I have contributed.


In short, I have removed things from my 911 that I do not use or...really need in effort to remove weight for HP and handling reasons. I will still drive it on the street sparingly, so it has to have the necessary switches and items needed for obvious reasons. Since I deep sixed my console; I need a place to put may Hazard Switch as I definately want to keep it. This thread can be used for any of the switches that might be relocated to the dash...but the Hazard and R Def are the hardest.



Enjoy............................................. ...............








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PART TWO of SWITCH RELOCATE
 

Here is the remainder as there were too many pics!!!






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NOW....you can do it too!!!

Shakin Joe
 

Great Job, Very clean and well detailed post. Thanks

Nicely done DIY. These old eyes especially appreciate the large print version.:)

Question - If this is really going to be a lightweight car, why do I still see a cigarette lighter, ashtray and glove box cover? Ounces, man, ounces.

No, I'm not kidding. The first two are gone from mine, but getting the glove box cover out is making me nuts. You need to remove the passenger side lower dash pad and there are two, maybe three, screws you have to get from the backside of the dash. I can barely feel two of them and can't even figure out what size nut-driver I need. Feel free to do an illustrated DIY on that one anytime.

rfloz,

Thanks for the reply. My build thread rambles about what lightweight means to me. It will still be used for street, but I just do not use the heat, AC, and a lot of other crap, so I took it out and weighed each and every piece! See my thread. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=423361


But I am not done yet inside. I will take out the ashtray, and a few more things, but I cannot see getting more than 20 lbs out of the car from the inside stuff. My biggest weight now are windows...and I am not prepared to do that yet. Notice the word yet.

On the lower dash removal, there are three nuts (all 8mm) and one screw. It took me one hour to get it out the first time....now I can do it in 5 minutes. If there is enough response to this, I will do a thread on it. I did cheat a little and used a video inspection camera made by Testo to find the nuts.....absolutley incredible!

http://www.testo.us/online/abaxx-?$part=PORTAL.USA.Applications&$event=show-from-content&externalid=opencms:/Products/MeasurementParameters/ambientairquality/Messgeraete/318VPRO_JUST_USA/USEnglisch.product



Thanks for the positive comments.

Nice work Joe but I would have ripped that blank radio plate a new 'hole'..well a couple and mounted the switches there. You can also convert the air pump connections to clamps and use a direct connection to the battery when you need to pump, then you can remove the lighter. Of course, because you live in Florida you can remove the turn signals and the turn signal switch...sorry I couldn't resist. ;)

Hey MTrain

I knew someone would go there...but it is so well deserved!! Too many driving styles on one road = recipe for lots of disasters. I left the blank alone as most users will still have their radio...and well, it was the easy way out and we cannot have that!!! Thanks for the reply!!

Everytime I visit a thought enters my mind...all the 16 year old drivers on drugs, all the seniors medicated and no one uses the turn signals...totally amazing driving situation. So I prefer a rental car. Your car looks great..be careful!

You're forgettin' all the drivers from Jersey!!!!

Good Work Shakin' Joe.

Best,

Doyle

Joe-

Thanks for the info. Using an old-tech long handled mirror, I found the 8 mm nuts, but not the screw.

Do you remember where that is located?

BTY, just so you know it's well worth it;), the ashtray and cigarette lighter together weigh 10 oz. and that (usually) non-functional clock is 6 oz. Hey, that's a whole pound!

The screw is removed from the end panel (under vent) from outside. It should be visible. The mirror is good....this camera was awesome!

Clock is sold...and gone. An Atlanta Pelican convinced me that he needed it more than I did.....and he was right dawg gone it!! Ashtray to be removed upon return of car. I just want to make sure my neon under dash street light system is well hidden!! kidding of course

Thanks.

Keep the neon; it's eVaR so kEwL!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/puke.gifhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/puke.gifhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/puke.gif

If you use the step bit right off the bat would the switch still stay in if you went all the way down to the 1 1/8” to get through the metal plate behind or do you need a hole saw for that part?

good advice, after thirteen years...

This is pretty handy, thanks. I removed the console long ago and will be relocating the AC and fan switches to the dash. Good to know it’s about as straightforward as I envisioned.

Were you able to stretch the wiring up there or did you have to extend it?

I thought I had some charging problems so I got a USB charger with a voltage read out. I went over my grounds and charging problem went away. I was relocating the console switches so I might as well get a gauge for the volts as it looks better. This what I did.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1687108797.JPG

I ended up relocating my AC control switches to the dash, and it was a much bigger project than expected. I had to add a section of wiring harness and also fit the square AC thermostat switch into the round hole on the backside of the dash. But the end result was worth it. Now I can re-carpet the car and have a clean floor around my Wevo shifter.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1687280845.jpg

Started the process today - waiting on the knock out bit (had to be ordered).

It was...very...nerve wracking to drill out the initial 1 inch hole. I did the 2 step approach as I felt comfortable with that. Will expand the hole slowly with the new bit.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1708703252.jpg


Redoing the interior and center console delete so this came in handy. Will post a finished photo this weekend.


Erik

This is fantastic. My car has no center console and have been wanted to rearrange where some of the switches are located. I'd like to have the fog switch next to the headlight switch. Then put the hazards and rear defrost up next to the other HVAC controls

From the front:

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From the back of the dash (I did add bonding agent around the cut hole contact with the flasher back):

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Just research the heck out of your layout and make sure to check for clearance behind where you are thinking about drilling.

Also make sure the wires/harness reach.

I am gutting my HVAC behind the dash (from the trunk) and it made everything clear once that was all removed.

I really wanted to put the hazards switch to the right of my steering column but the room behind it was tight and would have interfered (in my case) with the sliders/cables of the HVAC controls. (86 coupe)

Also.......check your switches and make sure they marry up flat to the new hole/dash. The flasher button on my 86 had a tab that wouldn't let me push it in flush at first. Had to grind it down a pinch. It's right behind the lip and must have lined up on the floor center console...I don't have a photo, sorry. Just inspect your light switch and make sure it will go flush...


The two bits he recommended work perfectly. It was a good tight fit after I finally got things installed.


Really recommend taking everything out of the trunk first, checking clearance where you think you want to drill, and verify the wires/harness can reach new locations. I actually trimmed about 2 ft off the hazards and removed the connection for the rear defroster. I will never use and capped off the wiring.


I am no expert but just wanted to give you my amateur process. VERY amateur :)


Best of luck.

Erik

All very very helpful. We'll see what I can make of it on MY 86 coupe