DIY: 2003 change to 2008 center console swap.
 

This is my first DIY write up so bare with me ill answer any questions if there is any, please PM me or reply to this thread.

Difficulty: probably about a 3 on a scale of 1-10.

Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, flat head screw driver, and a 10MM socket with a extension.

To start, I found someone on here parting out a 08 350z base. After much research I had to piece together this info from multiple threads. There is no wiring involved its a plug and play deal. Main concern is the AC controls not working. After reading I found out that you need the AC/HEAT control module ( clear white thing located behind your AC controls under the radio ). You need this with your swap or your knobs WILL NOT work.

Required from the 06+ models:

Gauges( plug into your 03 harness )
Center cubby that holds your radio and the cubby pocket.
Side panels (has the foam knee pads on driver and passenger side)
AC/Heat/Shifter plastic with the knobs.
Clear white AC module located under your radio from whatever year model your swapping to.
And you need the entire center console from a 06+.

Price: depends on where you get everything, I paid about $3-350 for this swap.

First remove your shift knob then remove your shifter AC plastic piece. It should pop right off rather easily.
Attachment 434634

Now unplug the white ribbon from the back of your shifter plastic.

Attachment 434635


Next your going to pull off that T shaped rubber and rove these 2 screws located right above your radio.
Attachment 434636

Now you remove the 2 screws at the bottom of your radio.
Attachment 434637

Pull from the top by the gauges and it should just pop off the entire plastic piece that holds your gauges, now unplug your gauges.
Attachment 434638

Remove your radio and the white plastic box next, (6screws, 2 on top, 4 on the bottom)

Attachment 434639
Attachment 434640

Pull the white box out and unplug the 3 plugs from the back.
Attachment 434641

Remove these 2 screws for the center console.
Attachment 434642

Then remove your ashtray and remove the screw holding the center console to the chassis.
Attachment 434643

I didn't take a picture of this buyer there are 2 screws by your seats that also hold the console in place, slide your seats forward and you will see them there is one on each side.

Lately you remove the bottom dashboard on the passenger side, to swap out the knee pads, if you want you can keep your old plastic pieces and not swap, but remember its silver and the new one is all black. I followed this write up I found to fix the dash rattle (which works I just did it). https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397656

Now the install, basically the exact SAMETHING in reverse order. I'm in the process of reinstalling everything right now just taking a break to grab some food and do this write up. Ill update in about 30 minutes with install photo's to finish this write up. So far it's taken about a hour to do this. It's really simple and looks so much cleaner than a 03 interior.

You should add pics of the finished swap!

Oh, and I just swapped to the 06+ door panels today and swapped the harness as well thinking the cupholder lights would work but no :(
Maybe someone can chime in?

Just something you might want to add to the DIY

Alright guys, finished. UPS just delivered the center console.

Continued from above, put your new console in place, next install your radio all 4 screws. Then install the white AC control box. If you have a aftermarket double din like I do you kinda have to jam the white box in place to clear the wires.

I found this out, seeing as the gauges came from a 08 base model and I have a Touring you need to swap them out so you retain your tire pressure monitoring system, and a few other functions the Touring has over the base model.

The 2 screws that hold your gauges in place.
Attachment 434644

Now, the hardest part of the install. You need to unravel the wires for your heated seats/ hazard lights, and pull the hazard light plug out. (Don't literally pull it out just unravel and tape itby itself so it's longer) once you do that, re-tape everything with electrical tape like so.
Attachment 434645

After that just snap it all back together and it should look like this when finished. MUCH MUCH cleaner than the 03-05 models.
Attachment 434646
Attachment 434647


Ignore the gap around the radio, my 06+ trim ring hasn't come in the mail yet.

Overall this swap took me about a hour and a half. Just because I was tedious and bagged and labeled the screws.

Looks so much better, nice write up sir.

Ill snap some better pictures tmo. Was in a hurry since its 27 outside. Daylight pics will do it more justice.

Thanks, very first one.

Daylight pictures.

Still waiting on my trim ring to arrive.

Attachment 434649
Attachment 434650

I'm just planning on changing the armrest or lower part of the center console to gain a usable cupholder, will I run into any issues just changing out that part?

Thank you

You can't. It won't line up. You change 1 thing you have to change everything.

Will it work if you have navigation?

I'm not sure. I don't see why it wouldn't work. I guess you'd need a water fall piece from a Z that had factory NAV?

Yes it will work. You just need the Nav plastic piece instead of the cubby

Quick question, will I have to use an 06+ radio when I do this swap? I know they're roughly the same size but the style is slightly different.

Do you still have your interior? I maybe wanting to buy your 03-05 interior if you want to sell it

where did you order the other center console from?

You need the 06+ trim ring that's it. Not a big deal it's like 10 bucks off Crutchfield.

So I can use the 06+ trim ring with an 05 radio?

Awesome how to. Will my shift boot fit properly if the new console is an automatic ? I notice the auto console has the hazard button in a different location that then stick.

Nice write up, I have everything except for the gauges to do this because I didn't know they were different.

No you cannot

Im piecing this set up together.

I dont have the knee panels, will the 03 fit? I know its a different color, but I can deal with that till I find em.