I'm guessing I'm not along in this -- the ceiling console in my 2000 SLT is all busted up. Every 2nd gen i find in the bone yards has the same issues, busted sunglass holder, lights don't funciton anymore, etc.

So i was working through a local salvage yard yesterday, pulling some items for m 2nd gen ram, and a few for my dad's 1st Gen Durango... and i'm jumping through 8 durangos -- every on of them with an in-tact ceiling console.

The Durango console is about 4-6 inches longer.

Has anyone tried puling the Ram ceiling unit and swapping it for the Durnago unit?

 

If you can get one for a few bucks, and test the the theory, I am sure folks here would appreciate it.

I seem to recall something about this particular swap, but, it has been a while, and my memory is really fuzzy on the details......

 

Yeah, i'm very tempted. My hesitation is that i don't have that much experience with the interior/upholstery aspect involved. I had a durango unit pulled out at the bone-yard teh other day and was about to buy it, but got cold feet at the last minute.

Next time i'm there, i may take a razor knife and try cutting the headliner on one of the 2nd gen rams to see if i can get it to fit in there, check the wiring compatibility, etc. All i'd be out is the time, and if i screw up it's just a junk-yard headliner.

 

I still have the unit from my 1997 if you're interested in it. Shoot me a PM.

 

I don't know what the durango one looks like but i have seen a few that where used in the mini vans. You may need to add a bracket or something to hold it up there if you use that one. As far as the temp/direction read out you need the wiring for it if it didn't come on your truck. The harnesses are different since this was an option. You will need the temp sensor on the radiator support and any related wiring.

 

Hmm... somehow the different wiring harness aspect never crossed my mind. That may be more hassle than it is worth. Biggest thing is i'd like to have my ceiling lights work again. And a place to stash my sunglasses would be nice, but that's a minor point.

 

You should have the wiring for the lights but if you don't have the temp/direction read out then you will have to add that to make it work.

 

The compass is internal I believe... you would have to add the temp sensor (lives behind the grill).