Re: The no budget build - manual, LSA, SS
Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 10:42 pm
Got the headliner back today, turned out nice.
I opted for the SS console and rear dome. They are nicer than the Caprice units. Individual lighting and switches per side.
Figured out rough wiring harness routing. It seems that everything should still reach, even though the Caprice roof is longer.
At this point I needed to iron out my roof antenna situation, and ran into another snag. The Caprice has a single band mast antenna, I assume for the radio. The SS has a dual band antenna, one is GPS, other is either XM or FM (maybe both?). Hard to find solid information on it. Even though I'm not likely going to use the factory nav, I want it to be functional. So I need to use the SS shark fin antenna. It fits, but the curvature of the roof section is slightly off, only contacting at the very front and back and leaving a small (but noticeable) gap in the middle. Since I wasn't really a fan of the shark fin anyway, that was all the incentive I needed. The Aussie WN came with nav, so they have a dual band mast style antenna that looks the same as the US Caprice antenna. I think the footprint is slightly larger to accommodate the larger internals. Working on getting one shipped over now.
I went ahead and installed the headliner, but just with the B-pillars and front console secured. That way I can drop the back end down to toss in the antenna when it comes. I wanted to get the headliner in while the car is empty. No seats and no dash makes a much easier install.
Made the cutouts in the rear deck for the speaker grills. Was pretty simple job. It's too bad I can't put any of the trim back into the car until I get the antenna installed.
While I was waiting for the windshield guy the other day, I went ahead and gutted the front Caprice doors and the front SS doors - and found more fun. Even though the doors and glass are interchangeable, the SS has different window regulator/motor assemblies. So, I'll have to use those since I need to use the SS door harness. The front door latches are different part numbers as well, but I can't figure out why. They are much easier to switch than the rear door latches were though, so I'll just add them to the pile. I can't reassemble until the Caprice can move off the lift. Not going to fight with everything when I can't open the door all the way.
I'll be starting on the HVAC, dash frame, harness, and dash next.