console retrofit - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

the94camryman · 08-13-2008, 09:45 PM

i was thinking of retrofiting an overhead console from an eddie bauer explorer into my camry, as well as the system moniter (oil check, oil life, gas gauge, fluids moniter) with the digital display and what not.
anyone ever done something like this into a gen3
i know a few people have done overhead consoles, but not the system moniter.
and also, do systems like the moniter have their own computer, or are they wired into the main harness and into the one computer.
ive posted this on ford-forums as well to see if i can get any answers, but nothin beats my friends here at TN.

tran.man48 · 08-14-2008, 03:56 AM

I'm not too sure about this, but I think our gen 3's ecu isn't complex enough to monitor this type of information. The later models with the OBDII might be able to.

the94camryman · 08-14-2008, 06:29 AM

well thats a kick in the ass.
i need something to replace my ash tray.
NO smoking in my car!!!

lordstarwind · 08-14-2008, 10:05 AM

some of the aftermarket ECU's that can be controlled by a laptop might give the same effect... maybe you can remove the passangerside airbag and install a laptop to run all that info :P programs can allways be written

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the94camryman · 08-14-2008, 08:28 PM

aftermarket ecu's are hella expensive though.
lets focus on the overhead console first.
has anyone ever done retrofited one in.
whats wiring like for it.
im confident that me and my friend can get it done in no time, but just for reassurance.
im wanting a holder for my sunglasses, the thermostat, and the compass on the overhead.

renmike · 08-14-2008, 08:41 PM

You'll have to figure out what runs the displays for the compass and temp, at least. You might want to start with a schematic from an explorer to see exactly how they're controlled and go from there. I'm guessing that you already have the console, because if I were wanting to do something like that I'd start with one from another Toyota if possible, then perhaps the wiring, while it still won't be fun, might be figured out easier.

the94camryman · 08-14-2008, 09:00 PM

actually im buying it tomorrow as well as a haynes manual for the explorer, which is also useful b/c my mom has an eddie bauer explorer.
ive looked at other toyotas and i couldnt find one i liked.
the ones on the avalance are nice, but are huge, and i dont think they come in tan.