Rearrangment of Center dask stack on 996

Hello guys/gals, Am in the process of upgrading my stereo and I have seen examples of folks who have done so and moved their climate controls around in their center dash stack/console. Most folks have moved their A/C controls down the that small bottom spot that contains the lil cubby hole I've seen and others have replace the OEM Cd holder as well with aftermarket DVD's or additional storage bins too. Is this an easy to do DIY job or do special parts and face plates have to be obtained? If so can you get the parts at your local dealer or online anywhere? I would like to move my climate controls down to the bottom position and move the storage cubby hole up top above where the radio is OR move the radio down to the bottom above the re-located climate control. Anyway you get the idea. Anybody done it or had it done? Pics is so of your set up would be appreciated. Rob

I did the rearrange, do a search the pics may still be floating around. I also moved my heated seat buttons to the upper dashboard "dummy" switches. My setup was as follows: (1 top through 4 bottom) 1. Climate Control 2. Tray 3. Radio 4. HiFi Control I moved it all back (with the exception of heated seat controls)....

whats the procedure? i just want to swap my climate with my tape holder and then buy the cupholder module for the top... 99 c2 cabrio.

I recently installed the factory in dash cup holder which required the relocation of the climate control unit and removal of the storage tray. The install was pretty smooth, several item you will need to be aware of is: Radio removal tool. New face plate outter frame cover (Old one is too big) for the climate control once it is relocated to the bottom location. I ran the wire for the climate control unit through the driver's side opening and then down to the conter console wiring loom. Here are some pictures. The climate control is missing the outter frame, as after I installed it I realized that it required a different frame. (So I actually modified the original one and made it fit) This picture shows the climate control wire running through the driver's side opening. All the panels can be easily poped out to access the screws for each of the components. The start off you can pop the switch cover on either side of the stereo and climate control.

wow thanks robin. did you buy the cupholder piece, and how much was it? ditto for the trim piece for the climate control. thanks, Mark

Mark, I think everything together was under $70. I didn't buy the trim piece, I just Dremeled the original one and made it fit. Sorry forgot to take a picture of it. Some addtional note. I had to slide the radio out (didn't disconnect the harness) in order to fit my hands in there to run the wires. This way i didn't have to worry about the entering the radio security code afterwords. The bracket you will need to use for the cup holder assmebly to mount into the DIN space is a little tricky. Later I found out the I had to clip the bracket into the frame prior to installing the cup holder assembly. I wasn't aware there were a little clip piece that I can use it to secure the bracket to the DIN assembly, so while installing the cup holder assemble I kept on bumping the brackets off.

Robin, I didn't know you had a 996, how do you like it? Are you planning any RSRs???

Very easy to do. Did it on my 2001 when I removed the cup holders and purchased a lower tray with the trim, think it was 30 bucks.

LOL! Yeah, I bought a 99 996 C4 couple month ago. So far I have been using it as my everyday driver. Just like my 993 this one is also a "DX"... No frills.... So far I have upgraded to the factory Litronics (sucks compare to the after market 5000k HID on my 993), carbon fiber hand brake lever, installed the in dash cup holder, and did my first oil change (previous owner were using 15W50, I changed it to 0w40) Getting ready to change my transmission fluid , cold shifting sucks in this car (I think I found the right transmission fluid for this car, will let you guys know once I tried it out) Also need to flush the brake fluid and wht clutch slave cylinder. WIP for the RSR 996 muffler. Compare the the 993 the 996 is much easier to live with day to day, A/C works great, easy to drive it hard, especially with the PSM. The low end torque is amazing, and the engine revs up super fast. However it does understeer like nobody's business, and feels not as nimble as the 993. I have to say that Porsche achieved what they intended with the 996, it is a next generation 911 that's cheaper to built, easier to drive, easier to own, and performs better than the previous model. However I am still going to keep my 993. :P I actually thought the interior of the 996 is pretty good compare to the 993. No way close to the quality of the BMW interior, but light years ahead of what it was. Overall I am pretty happy with the car. BTW, picked it up with 52k miles on the clock for $38k....

funny that you mention that: about the quality of the BMW to the 996.....it is so true...Just take a look at the sun vizers...cheap plastic materials...a lot a cheap plastics all thru the P...and even a 3 serie Bmw has better materials...why is this?? Don't get me wrong I love my P and wouldn't trade, but I wouldn't mind having a nice BMW M3 cab...