Installing a center ceiling console

ANYTHING FROM BUFFING YOUR PAINT TO REPLACING A DASH PANEL
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pengyou
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Installing a center ceiling console

Post by pengyou »

My van does not have a roof mounted console like this:

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=3549 (see the second post for the picture).

Is it easy to install one of these?
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ
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CaptSquid
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by CaptSquid »

Man, you were talking earlier about cheap. Now, you can't seem to spend the money fast enough.

Unless you have the brackets in the overhead, it ain't gonna happen.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

What Mike is saying, when you grab one at a scrap yard, grab the ceiling mount brackets and you would be set to go.
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CaptSquid
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by CaptSquid »

I said that???
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4

Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!

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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yeah...that's what I heard. :muhaha:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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dean89
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by dean89 »

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/474499/2
I have a few pictures on my car domain page from when I put in my overhead console. It wasn't too hard, just time consuming because the headliner needs to come down to mount the bracket.
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1989 Astro, 3" DJM drop, 5.7 tbi
1991 Chevrolet C1500 4.3 tbi 5spd 4-6" DJM drop (brother's truck)
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Topic author
pengyou
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by pengyou »

Thanks! Yeah, that's what I heard too :) Have no fear...i am still into cheap. Parts at the local U-pull it are really cheap. I think the console is about $5.

Were there different kinds of consoles available or are they all about the same? Does it matter if the van is the shorter version of the earlier years or the longer version of the later years? If I were handy with wood (which I am am) and had tools (which I don't) is there any reason why I couldn't make my own? OK, it will probably cost more than the $5 the wrecking yard is going to charge me...but I could design all kinds of spaces and holes for things that I dream of putting into the van (when I get some $$).

Could someone please tell me more about how to fasten it to the roof. Is there a beam of some kind that I could screw something into? I guess if worse came to worse I could buy one of those illuminated termites that are often on top of the trucks of the businesses that kill pests around home...and screw the light onto Jane by screwing it into the wood of the console...but something tells me that there is a more graceful way. (Note: sorry I just looked the pics closer in the link you sent me and saw the beams. Maybe I still will do the termite light.)
New owner of a 1996 Astro named "Plain Jane" - stock right now - with 200,000 miles on it and running like a champ

sfeaver
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Re: Installing a center ceiling console

Post by sfeaver »

If your is the new style (I think 96 is the changeover for the interior), I think the bracket is already in the ceiling. As far as I know, the additional bracket was needed on the 95 and lower models. Consoles from 99-05 have a trip computer as well. Make sure you grab the entire harness.


Scott
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