has anyone on this forum ever discarded that useless mini floor console and re-routed some of the controls elsewhere?

the AC controls *****?... I'd like to move the fan and temp switches up to the dash next to the fog light (now a blank on my dash) and remove the cig lighter for the other. it seems do-able, and perhaps more 'ergonomic' than reaching down to the floor to work these ***** normally found on every other car on the planet in/on the dash.

the Hazard and Defrost switches?... ideally, I'd like for the Defrost/ Hazard to stay some where on the dash, maybe in the gauge cluster, but it may take 'downsizing' to universal button switches; maybe even non-Porsche. any ideas to share on this?

the Door Lock switch?... this can go anywhere and probably makes the most sense to be 'on the driver's door' somewhere. I've received information someone (MitchB from 930 forum) has placed it on the panel near the speaker in the door pocket.

if someone has gone through this conversion and can share experiences and photos, that would be great.

 

I dont know what I have. I bought a 86 targa and it came with what the seller said was a "sport type interior" dash. What that means is a question. Mine attaches to the bottom of the dash and consists of a row of three cassett cases, then molds down the the center consol, which has a few *****, the door lock switch, a fan switch, and others. It then goes up the passenger side, again under the normal dash, with another 4 cassette cases. It looks all stock, and Ive tried to take it out, but it seems pretty well attached. I will just leave it. Thanks strup

 

That console is not worthless -- what it is good for is bracing the knee during hard left hand turns. Unfortunately, it is pretty flimsy and does not last unless it is reinforced. That other stuff is just added weight. Stereo fade control and A/C, extra weight.

 

I took the console out of the SC, and I think it really opens up the interior. Of course I also ripped out the A/C and stereo too....That console is really cheesey, and cheap looking, and squeeky, and you end up throwing pens and toll money in it which rattles.... I kept it in the 3.2 because its a street car and my philosophy is to keep that car aboslutely stock....plus I need pens and toll money and stuff...

The cynic in me would say you can get rid of the Stereo Fader and the A/C... the are both equally useless....(yes I know if you are prepared to spend thousands of dollars re-engineering the A/C will will apparently blow cold air.... ).

If you want to re-mount them, you might as well keep the factory console as anyting else you do will probably not look any better. you'll have exposed wires, and you would have to add something under the dash to hold them...(can you say Pep Boys?)... you could also mount them on the floor in front of the shifter... but would that look any better? Could you even reach them?

 

JCP-
I've redone the stereo so the fader is history anyway. Maybe your gauge cluster is different, but on mine at the top of the cluster, on either side of the tach, appears to be cut-outs in the metal behind the leather covering. when I finger push those spots, it's evident that a 3/8" or so hole exists for some accessory or option which my car is not using. this seems like the perfect place for the defrost and flasher button switches.
I'm still undecided about the AC. I've removed the compressor, deck condenser and hoses in the rear (what a difference that makes getting to things inside there, as well as junking the air injection crap) in anticipation of removing the forward condenser, dryer unit and hoses. I'm putting them in a box for the next victim, but thought it would be nice of me to at least have the ***** for AC temp and Fan there available for easier installation.
I don't see where any wires would be left exposed, just a smooth carpeted floor with a rubber boot over the shift linkage. Toll money, phone, pens, sun glasses, maps and such are in the door panel pocket...

 

Take it out and see... If I remember its a little bit of a pain in the *** to get to some of the screws, but not all that big a deal.... if you can make it work, great. if not, you can always put it back.... good luck