Well the dash conversion is complete and ...............................................
.............it works a charm!

The climate control tested well with the only fault being an E5 (Ambient sensor) which I could not work out how to wire up. (Any suggestions)? I think the connectors for the EB/ED C/C is different to the EF/EL as listed in the doco on doing the conversion!

Trip computer works a charm and all the high series BEM lighting and stuff also works well.

All in all it took me about 15 hours to do the conversion. Had to change the airbox over to the ghia one which required it's removal. (Too anyone considering this conversion...make sure you get the C/C airbox as the blend door motor actuator arm is not compatible with the manual one on the HVAC box!.....and it makes the conversion sooooo much easier, also a good time to recondition your cooling system as you will probably break your heater tap as I did and really....why stop there? Wound with new water pump, thermostat and housing, all hoses and EF radiator for easy fitting of the thermo's I bought).

Otherwise it was a pretty easy, but time consuming job. Also got the body loom from the ghia which allowed me to plumb in the cruise control loom to my body loom. This was really easy so if like my car you do not have to cruise control loom fitted already....make sure you get the front r/h 1/4 of the body loom from the donor car as it will show you where to plug the Cruise into your existing loom.

Any way here is are some links to photo's of the conversion if interested. Looks a bigger job than it really is!

BEFORE:
http://groups.msn.com/picturesofyourcar ... otoID=3507

DURINGS:
http://groups.msn.com/picturesofyourcar ... otoID=3880

http://groups.msn.com/picturesofyourcar ... otoID=3881

http://groups.msn.com/picturesofyourcar ... otoID=3885

AFTER's (well worth the effort in my book)!
http://groups.msn.com/picturesofyourcar ... otoID=3887

Anyway...let me know what you think!

Cheers and thanks too everyone who helped out with info and advice during this!

Phil

looks good
i think all xr,s should have the high series stuff.

well done


p.s what you doing with the old wheel??

mate, awesome job..
as much as id love c/c and a trip computer in my el xr8, i think it would be toooo big of a job, lol..

btw.. how many screws & little bits did you have left over in the end?

very nice good stuff i will say

i so want a fairmont dash in my xr but it a whole new dash.........

i seem to recall you saying that XR's were oh-so-superior to the fairmonts..........

You will need the ambient sensor hooked up the climate control needs to know what the outside temp is to decide whether to use ouside air or recycled air. I like to help you out with the wiring problem but I don't have the answers. The only thing I can tell you is its located behind the front bar

Yeah I know the computer needs it when set to auto, but I always have it on manual anyway as the fan speed is usually too high for my liking on auto and I prefer outside air to recirc anyway!

Will eventually wire it up when I work out how (ran two wires for future use), but mainly for wank value when you press the button to see how hot it is outside!

XR8 Dismantler..........As far as the original wheel goes, it may be for sale in the near future. Are you interested?

Cheers,

yeh how much you want for it . and is it in good nick.

they are for sure
alli want is the woodgrain dash out of it none of teh other poxy luxo stuff for girls give me race seats and sports suspension any day!

Excellent work!



I have to say it has all been done for wank value if it doesn't work on auto, the fan slows down when the inside temp becomes closer to what it has been set too, and automatic climate control has a preference to outside air too, it just sometimes starts that way to cool the vehicle down quicker.

Tough looking car mate.
Congrats....

I like that model a lot.

Each to thier own. The auto v manual argument is lost on me, cos having had two ghia's previously I always stuffed around with the settings making them work on manual.

I 'spose the conversion is purely for wank value as the old HVAC 'climate control' worked fine. This just looks better and considering it only cost $100 + time, it was well worth the effort!

Top job!! Glad it all worked well.

What part of the Ambient sensor wiring are you unsure of? The ambient sensor wiring makes its way to behind the front bumper bar via the Engine Compartment loom (the one which goes through the firewall on the drivers' side). From memory you are looking for a Red and a Yellow Wire, or maybe it was red with a yellow stripe. hmm, I'll check it out

Theres a good chance the wiring is already there being a Mid-Series BEM, as i think the XR and Fairmont engine compartment looms are the same. Anyway.. have a look at where the horn wiring splices off from the main eng comp loom - the Ambient plug is (might be) there...

You are right, I have a spare plug there with a two wires, one red and one yellow.

Only problem is the sensor plug is different to the plug on the loom. I got the sensor off an ED. Could they be a different style sensor or loom plug?



Wheel is only 12 months old (with about 3 months work) and was brand new when I bought it.

I want around $400 for it, otherwise I will just keep it cos it cost me a heap when I got it!

Cheers,

Could very well be, give a ford dealer a ring and ask them, there'll be differant part numbers if so.