Overhead console in your VX?

[Maverick]

Finally got around to "almost " finishing up this project, still have some minor bugs to work out, but heres where its at:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3079/295vxohclft.jpg

I sourced the console from a mid 90's Oldsmobile Silhouette mini van from a "u pull it" salvage yard for about $20.00 . nice unit including the temp and compass displays. I also grabbed the temp sensor from the front grille of the same vehicle.
Its a two piece unit (upper and lower halves) which made it easier to work with. I had to recontour the mounting base to the vx roof line. First i made a template out of cardboard, then i epoxied foam core to the mounting base. Later i got out my dremel and and shaped the added material to the curve of the template. After that using carpet adhesive and some material i picked up at wallmart (not exactly what i wanted, but for $3 and no hassles, it did the job) and reupholstered the mounting base.
Its not the neatest job, and i still have some wrinkles to work out(litterally), but overall im happy with it..then i screwed it all back together, figured out the wiring, and added a super bright green led behind the swivel dome lights. Tis illuminates when the gauge lighting is on, and shines onto the lower console storage area. when you open the padded compartment, you can now see inside it at night. Then i mounted it up.
To mount it, i had to cut off the original mounting tabs at the front, and add a piece of strap metal to make a new "hook" . then i slit the headliner to provide a place for the hook to insert. for the rear i simply drilled two small holes through the original dome light mounting point, and screwed it in.
I also added to "carpet plugs" in the center for additonal support.

I also installed (and hardwired) my garage door opener, as the GM console has a provision for this (gray oval button ), it has sunglass and rear storage areas as well.

Next time i have a go at it, i will reupholster it again, but add foam backing. im also going to tie in the original dome light circuit board to restore the staged dimming effect. this presents a few issues in the wiring ive yet to figure out.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3079/295vxohcclose.jpg

There are several additional pics in my gallery here... :)

[Tone]

Looks GREAT! Would love to have one since there is so little storage but it might interfer with my sunroof! I swapped mirrors so I could have temp and compass but the console one is ideal too. Lookout, you may be making those up for others....

[Hotsauce]

Great idea and execution.

I've been eyeing coverheads in every car I can for ideas myself, but haven't taken the plunge yet.

John C.

[Cyrk]

Looks great! I want one.

[thebear54]

Super nice job :)
John

[mbeach]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[Raque Thomas]

Super nice installation! For those of you with sunroofs - you might want to check out the mini roof consoles in the new Trail Blazers. I just put one in my VX (check my gallery), and it comes with sunglass holder, Homelink garage door openner and digital voice recorder. Paid $25 for it off eBay.

[Navigator]

...Looks great too :yes: I just might give that a try. Congrats, and thanks for the idea.

[Maverick]

Glad to hear my little project is well recieved..took me quite awhile to get it done, but the project as a whole wasnt high on the difficulty scale..
the hardest part was figuring out the wiring without a schematic. if you do this, id highly recommend you take the time to get the wiring diagram from the source vehicle of the console..im still having minor issues with the temp display as itll lock up, and not update the temperature. i suspect that i have a ground mixed up someplace, as it bench tested perfectly. even though i went precisely by my notes from testing, its still not quite right, but ill figure it out eventually. its probably something simple.
the other issue that came up was in the mounting. I couldnt move it to far forward as it would interfere with the visors. since im short and have to keep my seat a good deal forward, the display is just slightly out of my normal line of sight. this shouldnt be an issue with anyone with longer legs though..another inch or two back on the seat , and it would be fine for most..
I choose the gm console over the chrysler type because it seemed to need the least modification to fit the roof line, but just about any overhead can be used if your willing to spend the extra time adding or removing material to form the proper contours..
next up, is adding a rear dome, super bright led's in all the doors (red for visibility, and white for functionality, and a couple of 12v outlets in the back for convienience (cell phone chargeer, outlet for mini air compressor, and other "stuff") and if i get really enthusiastic, id like to build a voltmeter and a/f meter from micro leds and integrate it into the dash pod somehow. got all the circuitry, just have to get around to putting them together... :D

[jim.LR>AR]

that is the bomb. Got to do it haven't done anything in awhile . to darn cold.

Was there any adtional wiring for the compass? or is it built in . how long was the metal piece? Does it stay up well?

[Maverick]

you have to run a few wires, pretty much its the same as , say a car stereo. you can use the original dome light wiring for a constant 12v, and the door pin wire there for the dome lights, and the sheet metal base for a grounding point. But you still need to run the temp sensor wires, the ignition wires, and illumination "dimmer" wire. i built a separate wiring harness for this, that i spliced into the original connectors (i was sure to keep boths sides of the plugs when i removed it from the donor vehicle, with enough wire for good splices.) I soldiered all "permanent" connections in the harness i constructed.

hope that helps...

[etlsport]

heh i was in a yard and got a console from an early 90's s-10 blazer... looking at your posts.. looks like its the exact same unit console! the one i got doesnt have the temp sensor or compass.. just a blank panel, but just planned on putting switches there anyway

any tips before i get started on the project?

[Maverick]

wow, long time since i did this project! time flies , and I dont get on here much, but I still have my VX :)

the two things I can think of is make sure you mark your wires. not as much of an issue if your not using the extra electrics, but if you have any problems with the wiring later on, its a good idea to have an accurate list, or wire tags to help with the trouble shooting. the second item is to use a really good upholstery adhesive like the 3m stuff, its more expensive, but well worth it . the cheap stuff wont hold up very well after some time and it'll have to be redone.
other than that, just take your time. if you can pull the headliner, do so, and put in backing plates ( a small piece of flat steel with threaded rivet bolts) for the front mounting will make for a much cleaner and secure install, especially if you off road.
thats about all i can think of..good luck!

[Bieredalsace]

That is a BEAUTIFUL job!! It looks like it belongs there and nicely fits the futuristic (airplane like) theme of the VX.
I'm going to scour Ebay for a console. I bought some Carbon fiber look-alike material (vinyl) and think that I'd cover the console with that stuff. Should look fan-tastic!
Thanks so much for the pics and the inspiration!!

[VX4EJR]

I thought about doing this too some time ago, eyed up some consoles and all. The biggest issue I saw was either finding or riggin up enough mounting support in that area of the roof. There's nothing much there to bolt to or attach a bracket above the headliner. Some folks may have attached the console just to the headliner and that's it, with no metal to metal mounting. Not sure how that would work out over time. Anyways, I couldn't figure out a clean mounting plan so didn't do it. But it is a great idea though to have it!!

[etlsport]

i had that issue as well.. but looking at how this console was held into the blazer... it was only held in two places, one in the front and one in the back.. so i figure i can do just like maverick did and mount a couple screws through the stock dome light location and then a sheet metal nut clipped on the headliner for the front.. i think it should hold pretty well

[VCrossfan]

Looks very nice...after seeing MAV's overhead console project I went on the search for my project. Mine came out of a Ford Windstar. Been in around two years and I love it...fits the roof line perfect..

Includes.. Dome lights, Pop down Convex mirror (to watch the kids in back), Change holder, Sunglasses compartment and consealed door opener push panel. Also has rear volume controls for back seat passangers, not completed.

Sorry for the quality of the pic's...old camera

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-011S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-011S.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-010S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-010S.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-009S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-009S.JPG)

[k4tmc]

Vcrossfan,

Do you remember which year model it came from?

Are all the Ford Windstar overhead consoles the same, or did they vary from year to year?

Henry

[VCrossfan]

Hey Henry: I'm sure it was out of a 99. Buy looking on ebay they look to be the same from 98-01. Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-03-FORD-WINDSTAR-OVERHEAD-CONSOLE-OEM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50459QQihZ005QQitem Z150135003514QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V) A good pic of one just like mine and Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Windstar-1998-Overhead-Console_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33695QQihZ010QQ itemZ200120844880QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) one for a fairly good starting bid price but a bad pic (shipping alittle higher than some). You have to trim some of the inner structure but once you do the original outer structure conforms great with our headliners. Good Luck ! !

[k4tmc]

OK, thanks for the eBay info.

How did you attach the console to the head liner?

Henry

[nfpgasmask]

I just found this (http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~nosweb/news/dekigoto/11_iom2005/2.htm) link. Talk about overhead console. This dude did a wicked job.

Bart

[JHarris1385]

Isnt that Naoki?

http://homepage3.nifty.com/vehi/

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

I found an overhead that I think fits pretty well too..
still havent mounted it, but this is how I expect it to fit.
Offers more map lighting, compass and temp too.

(resurrecting old posts is fun :p )


http://www.motorsportwarehouse.com/space/overhead2.jpg

[JHarris1385]

What chrysler did that come out of?

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

What chrysler did that come out of?

It didnt, it came out of a Ford
Ill have to check which model

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

this over head also retains the factory middle dome lite
so Ill have two to choose from :) :)

[DarkWing]

this over head also retains the factory middle dome lite
so Ill have two to choose from :) :)

Do you want to sell one of the OEM Vehicross Dome Lights? If so, let me know how much and how to get the money to you, we will try to do a deal.

D.W.

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

Do you want to sell one of the OEM Vehicross Dome Lights? If so, let me know how much and how to get the money to you, we will try to do a deal.

D.W.

One ? I only have one and its remaining in the middle
of roof :)

[DarkWing]

I really shouldn't try to carry on a conversation so late at night. Really tired. "Honest occifer, I'm not as think as you drunk I am, I've got dain brammage."

D.W.

[reptiles]

id like to build a voltmeter

I snagged this LED critter for $15 shipped:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250232445030

It does need a 5 V voltage regulator, though ($1.29 Radioshack) on the + input.

[slutty22]

How did you end up wiring that in, I have the same one.


Looks very nice...after seeing MAV's overhead console project I went on the search for my project. Mine came out of a Ford Windstar. Been in around two years and I love it...fits the roof line perfect..

Includes.. Dome lights, Pop down Convex mirror (to watch the kids in back), Change holder, Sunglasses compartment and consealed door opener push panel. Also has rear volume controls for back seat passangers, not completed.

Sorry for the quality of the pic's...old camera

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-011S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-011S.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-010S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-010S.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/1217MVC-009S.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/1217MVC-009S.JPG)

[circmand]

you could wire that in from the OEM cabin light

[slutty22]

Thats what Im trying to do however the concole has a main harness one which leads to the lights and the other that leads to the front for some switches, I am wondering if he removed the circuit board from the original light and parralled it in front of these lights or just direct wired in?
I tried the direct approach and some weird things started happening.



you could wire that in from the OEM cabin light

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

didnt have time to install it yet, because Im going to pull
the headliner down when I do it, recover the headliner in a nice
vinyl.
Then Im going to mount the new overhead to the headliner
wire it up to come on with or without the key on, nothing
too hard there
and then remount my headliner with the new overhead.

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

Ill probably attack mine next week
and let you know what I find out :)

[Ldub]

Just some food for thought...

I painted mine to match my dash.
Also cut down & re-used the guts of the stock dome light, to keep the "dim down" function...:_wrench:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/000OHconsole.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC00142mm.JPG

[don moore]

nice LDUB

[ZeroSix]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but the knowledge base is the closest I could find.

The is actually to Maverick and Wiring Gurus.

I am currently attempting the overhead console project. and using to an identical part (Jimmy console with 2 extra lights)

I got stumped on the wiring. Mine came with a harness of sorts, and the temperature probe.

Am i wrong to assume that similar colors of the console wiring run and match to the color wires on the probe?

Did you eventually get to the wiring ?

Is there a compass probe?

Im stumped here, I just saw a lot of wires and scratched my head. i did not take down the guts of the dome light yet. (dunno how many are in there)

My Thanks

[wekilled]

I bought the same Winstar over head console as VehicrossFan and Slutty22 about a year ago and was going to actually do an install. Hoping someone has worked out the kinks to wiring the circuitboard from the OEM light. Might just run a hot wire and play around to see what turns on. I see a gray, brown and blue that run to the lights and switches that control the lights.

Thinking another option might be to place the OEM in the cargo area and use the overhead light up front. Man, I'd take a wiring diagram on a napkin even..

[Maverick]

wow, been a long time, i had to sell my vx last year but ill try to help.
on the gm console the compass function and sensor are built in to the circuit board, the tem sensor require two wires and if i recall the ground is shared. some of the wire from the lights can be spliced into the display, like the constant and the grounds, and dimmer. you will need to run the ignition 12v a dimmer line and a regular ground as i think the existing ground is a switching ground. im sorry i can provide wire colors or a schematic, mine went with my vx, and i am told it was exported to Russia.... :(
I hope this helps a bit... best of luck!

[ZeroSix]

Maverick,

I appreciate the help. Anything helps. I will try to post a pic in the morn.

It might Jog the memory.

[Ldub]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but the knowledge base is the closest I could find.

The is actually to Maverick and Wiring Gurus.

I am currently attempting the overhead console project. and using to an identical part (Jimmy console with 2 extra lights)

I got stumped on the wiring. Mine came with a harness of sorts, and the temperature probe.

Am i wrong to assume that similar colors of the console wiring run and match to the color wires on the probe?

Did you eventually get to the wiring ?

Is there a compass probe?

Im stumped here, I just saw a lot of wires and scratched my head. i did not take down the guts of the dome light yet. (dunno how many are in there)

My Thanks

Check out these links, & lemme know if you find the answer...

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CEsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.s10forum.com%2Fforum%2Ff62%2F overhead-console-wiring-large-pics-420587%2F&ei=6UP0T9HjBIf2rAHVwPDUAw&usg=AFQjCNHMmEAaf2Tir7G9_srTeTQk6-XwJQ&sig2=6t8Wn0Pq83GfzeDnfyXZVQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFAQrAIoAjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.s10forum.com%2Fforum%2Ff62%2F overhead-console-wiring-help-409089%2F&ei=6UP0T9HjBIf2rAHVwPDUAw&usg=AFQjCNHBo0tnxWRSRH1YZPlMZHd5qVkNlw&sig2=jGZSbQ1KeBmkoEwGI59tXQ

Copy & paste " overhead console from gm + wiring " into goog for more choices....MANY more.

[ZeroSix]

Yes! Ldub! Thanks!.. Now I have to figure out what it means.... =)
Where in the VX did you guys mount the temp sensor?

I will keep you posted. Its hellish in illinois at the moment to do this.

[ZeroSix]

Here are pics of the OHC wiring.

P.s. How do you link photos straight here? drag n drop?

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/22629/ppuser/3607

[Ldub]

Here are pics of the OHC wiring.

P.s. How do you link photos straight here? drag n drop?

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/22629/ppuser/3607

When composing a post...

Look under the smilie menu...:smilewink

Open "my pics"

Select "original image" & "in line" from the drop downs

Click on the pic you want...:dance:

DONE

[tom4bren]

& if you are inserting multiple pix, please put a carriage return after each pic.

[ZeroSix]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_0820.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22629)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_08171.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22628)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_08161.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22627)

Thank you for the instructions!!! =)

[Ldub]

& if you are inserting multiple pix, please put a carriage return after each pic.

When you see this guy...hand him the reins...:yesgray:

http://www.nicepeoplenetworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/06-10_horse_carriage.jpg

Oh wait, I think he meant...

http://yorktown.cbe.wwu.edu/sandvig/mis314/lectures/images/carriageReturn.jpg

But in reality, I think he REALLY meant...

http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a08/2l/pf/do-carriage-return-symbol-mac-800x800.jpg

[circmand]

Love a good sense of humor

[pbkid]

Haha, while reading Toms post, in my head I'm like, wtf is a carriage return?