Center Console Swap

[VaExplorer452]

I would like to place a newer model center console into my '94. I'm trying to get one of the ones with the rear air and radio controls. Has anyone done this before? The console I have now does not have the rear air or radio. I'd appreciate any help or advice on this one. Thanks.

 

[jimbo74]

you are going to need to tap into the current air system......

i am pretty sure some have done it......

 

[VaExplorer452]

I guessed I would have to tap in some how under the dash where the new console will meet. I'm just not sure how much trouble this will give me.

 

[newbi]

I'm interested in doing the swap on my 94 sport also as it gets REAL stuffy in the rear seats. Appears that it COULD be done however, it also appears to be a major undertaking. My solution was to put an axuilary osilating fan in the rear as the later model console only has a booster fan, not an additional heater/evap. coil. To get the radio controls to work would require a new sterio system and the cost vs. benifits would be negligable for such a small space. If the rear passengers don't want to listen to your music, give em a port. CD player with phones!

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

if you just want the rear air blower motor to work, no problem there are just 3 wires if not a couple more to hook up....hot @ignition, hot @ all times, and the big red/orange wire that is coming off of the rear blower motor relay, which is in the console itself on the left side kinda hidden in the front...and for the rear controls i would think that you would need the stock radio for it...i put one of those consoles in and i didnt have the EATC hvac controls i just had the knobs so i had to wire mine up to the hvac knobs so it turns on when i have the front air on...im supposing its factory wired like this with X's that have the rear air with no EATC. and also, that is where the cd rom is saying that is where it is connected to...and for the radio...to turn it on the cd rom says you have to hold button 3 and 5 together to turn it on/off...

 

[VaExplorer452]

Thanks guys. I'm not nearly as concerned with the radio as I am getting some cold/hot air blowin' into the back seats. I'm thinking it would be fine just with the aux blower in the console. The air in the front is blowing plenty hot/cold enough, I just need the console to help move it to the rear.

My biggest question is how I'm going to tap into the air where the console meets the dash. Will this just be some simple duct work or will more be required?

Thanks again for everyones help.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

If it is anything like the 2nd generation...where the duct is below in the middle...circulating to the floor...i just aligned mine up to it...did an outline and cut a hole in the duct...no probs...however, if the 1st generation is different...then i am no help cuz i am not familiar with the early X's...

 

[newbi]

If you tap the duct system, you'd have to run the A/C on "floor/panel" to get the cold air back there.(That means "max" and "panel settings won't allow air to the lower duct. Almost impossible to tap the duct system before the air diverter. Also, only so much air will flow through a 94s stock system, so if you steal air to feed the rear, you'll have a decreased front airflow including defrost. I'm going to nix the console swap and continue the use of my little fan but am looking into making a air circulation system that I can mount slightly behind the rear seat,at the top, on both sides, that will blow air...kinda like on an airplane.

 

[VaExplorer452]

Excellent point about the floor air only being diverted to the back. I never even thought of that. Damn, I knew there was a good reason to post this question here.

Thanks alot to everyone with an idea.

 

[wired_af]

What does HVAC and EATC stand for?

BIG COUNTRY - Does your rear air blow cold air? I noticed on Max A/C barely any air blows out of the floor duct things.

thanks

 

[newbi]

Heres another thought VA... I found an inline bilge blower (for a boat) that pumps 250CFM. Will mount that under stock console and cut a hole in the Back of the console for a used vent divertor(just like the front dash ones). Should look stock and give the passenger the ability to direct the air flow. The fan will pull air through the console and from a hole I'll cut in the FRONT of the console. I'll wire the bilge blower inline with the stock fan switch. Ideally, I'll run the A/C on "floor/panel" and since cool air drops, it should be fairly cool. In the heat mode, it should pull from the lower outlet. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

HVAC: heater vacuum/ air conditioner....i think
EATC: electronic automatic temperature controller

For my rear air, i have both a/c and heat that flows to the rear...however though, if you got heat going to the vents, the air to the rear is kinda colder, cuz all the heat is being pushed up to the vents instead of the floor...i dont know if it like that factory wise...
otherwise, it is perfect...i can turn it off/on with the front controls with my on/off switch knobs, i can turn the speed up/ slow down the air in the rear and switch it to vent or floor...