WRX center console STi Limited install

[JarHarms]

Even though there are already threads covering center console installations, here is my contribution. May this help someone with their install one day. These photos are from awhile ago and using a poor camera.....sorry but some of the photos turned out blurry.

(What) Subject
2006 WRX and 2007 STi Limited center console conversion. This kit is available at SubrauGenuineParts, but you could order parts from your own source with the individual part numbers.

All the console trim parts are black with a matte metallic sheen which comes off looking more like a dark gray color. These are not the same flat black of the S204 trim parts, but the dark gray does match the rest of the 2006 WRX dash really well.
The HVAC dials are a bright silver color rather than the gray USDM WRX dials.
The HVAC dials have amber position lighting as do all of the USDM dials.
The HVAC buttons are flat black just like the S204 buttons.
The HVAC temp button is in degF (65degF - 75degF - 85degF).
The shifter trim has two holes just above the ashtray cover for mounting the STi Limited badge. (which you cannot get without an Ltd VIN registered to you)
The side vent trim rings are black with a metallic sheen which comes off looking more like a dark gray color. These are not the same flat black of the S204 trim parts, but the dark gray does match the rest of the WRX dash really well.

Basically here is the color change we are trying to accomplish with this modification.
STi Limited (left) and WRX (right)


What you get for around $380
PANEL ASSY CTR A #66061FE030 (center vents and trim) x 1
PANEL SD VENT #66208FE080 (side vent trim rings) x 2
KNOB BLK TEMP F #72363FE140 (HVAC temp button - right) x 1
KNOB BLK #72363FE110 (HVAC mode button - left) x 1
KNOB BLK FAN #72363FE130 (HVAC fan button - center) x 1
LID ASSY ASH TRAY #92114FE130 (ashtray/lighter module and cover) x 1
COVER F MT #92126FE020 (shifter/ashtray trim) x 1
PANEL ASSY CTR B #66069FE060 (radio/HVAC trim) x 1
DIAL BLK SML #72324FE080 (HVAC mode and temp dial - left and right) x 2
DIAL BLK SML #72324FE090 (HVAC fan dial - center) x 1
plastic bag with NO instructions


(Where) Installed Location
These parts install in the dash, center console, and both side vents.


(Why) install these?
Purely cosmetic, converting older WRX to newer console type, or possibly replacing some damaged console parts.
This was my one "frill" install that did not need to serve a particular function.

Doing this modification in a WRX with the older center console would require more components and steps to finish the installation. I have not done such a conversion so I have no suggestions to provide. Search existing threads on that topic. Here this may help get you started.

I know, some of the photos are blurry. Dang crappy camera (RIP) it is all I had at the time.

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[JarHarms]

The way I performed this work is to be used as reference only. Use common sense, ask questions, and everything will turn out just fine. (Good luck). Disclaimer: If you screw up your own car, it is all on you my friend.

(How)
Helpful Tools
phillips screwdriver
plastic trim pry tools
multimeter
channel-lock (slip) pliers
WRX factory service manual - always a good reference for removal procedure, wiring specs, and other info.

Removing original parts from the car
1. Remove the gear shift trim by turning the gear shift knob counter clockwise while holding the shift boot collar in place, once knob is un-threaded pull upwards on the trim to overcome the resistance tabs.
***NOTE: Be careful not to rip your shift boot on the end of the shift lever!!!***




2. Disconnect the cigarette and ashtray lamp harness by pulling carefully from the lighter module.


3. Set aside shifter trim assembly for later.
4. Remove the radio/HVAC trim from the dash - two Phillips screws on bottom of the surround, use plastic pry tools and masking tape to overcome the resistance tabs.


5. Disconnect the two HVAC harness connections by depressing the harness lock and pulling out of the HVAC control.


6. Disconnect the air tube by pulling on the tube, it will slip off of the barbed fitting on the HVAC control.


7. Set aside the radio/HVAC trim assembly for later.
8. Remove the upper vent/hazard button trim from the dash - three Phillips screws just under the trim and pull outwards on the trim to overcome the resistance tabs.




9. Disconnect the hazard button harness connection by pressing down the harness lock and pulling out of the button.


10. Set aside the center vent trim for later.
11. Remove the two side vent trim rings - use plastic pry tools and masking tape to overcome the resistance tabs.
***NOTE: Pry carefully. These popped out undamaged, but the resistance tabs are pretty flimsy and might break off if your rough with the removal.***


12. Gather up the trim rings and the rest of the parts and find a clean workplace.

[JarHarms]

Prep the new parts
You can pretty much start with any part you wish and go in any order. I'm going to use the order that I reinstalled the parts in the car.

Side vent rings
1. There isn't any prep work besides knowing which orientation the original ones came out of the car.
2. You can just set aside these for installation later or go install them now.

Center vent/hazard trim
1. If you are re-using the original hazard button you will first need to remove it from your original center vent trim.
2. Look at the back side of the trim for the lock tab on the top of the switch.


3. Press down this lock tab while pushing the hazard button out the front of the trim.
***NOTE: if you're using another hazard button you are not required to remove your original button I guess.***


4. Install the hazard switch into new center vent trim - push hazard button into the trim from the front until the lock tab snaps into place.
5. Easy enough, just set aside for installation later or go install now.

Radio/HVAC trim "this one is a little more tricky"
1. Remove the HVAC control from the trim - four Phillips screws around the control.


2. Disassemble the HVAC control - remove the 5 Phillips screws from the back of the control, free the air temp sensor wires (white/green) from the tab, and work the white backing out of the locking tabs.
3. Fold the HVAC control open carefully without scratching the dials/buttons.
***NOTE: freeing the air temp wires helps give you some additional room to work with.***


4. Turn the dials all the way to the left then pull up on them. I suggest supporting the circuit board around the dial you are pulling. It seems like too much force but the dial and button will pop off together as long as they are rotated all the way left.

working on posting youTube video showing removal and install

5. Find the correct dial, position it correctly, and press it into place. You will hear a snap, then check the rotation movement.
6. Find the correct button, position it correctly, and press it into place. You will hear a snap.
7. Do the same thing for the remaining two dial/buttons.
***NOTE: the mode and temperature dials can be interchanged, but the fan speed dial has a separate part number. Just make sure you use the right dial.***
8. Reassemble the HVAC control - snap the housings together, reinstall 5 Phillips screws.
9. Attach HVAC control to the new radio/HVAC trim - 5 Phillips screws
10. Set aside for installation later or go install now.

continued.......

[JarHarms]

.....continued

Shifter/ashtray trim
1. Remove the shifter knob and boot from the shifter trim - on the underside of the trim press the three locking tabs found around the shift boot frame.


2. Remove the lighter socket and ashtray lamp harness - half turn the ashtray lamp connector and pull out, pull the lighter socket connector strait off of the socket.




3. Remove the lighter socket - loosen the retaining ring found at the back of the socket with a pair of pliers, remove spacer, and then remove the socket core.




4. Remove the ashtray/lid assembly from the shifter trim - 4 Phillips screws.
***NOTE: you need these 4 screws to attach the new parts, do not lose them.***


5. Attach the ashtray/lid assembly to the shifter trim - reuse the 4 Phillips screws.
6. Test that the ashtray lid opens and closes fine, if not readjust placement with the Phillips screws. It is easier to check this now than having to remove the shifter trim later on.
7. Reinstall the lighter socket - insert socket core, replace spacer, thread on retaining ring, and tighten using pliers.
8. Reinstall the lighter socket and ashtray lamp harness - press harness onto the socket until it locks, insert ashtray lamp into the hole and half turn into locked position.
9. Reinstall the shifter knob and boot - engage the rear section of the boot frame first then press the frame into the rest of the locking tabs.


10. Set aside for installation later or go install now.



**I'm not going to link to any reassembly pics here, just use the disassembly pics in reverse order**

Reinstall the new parts
1. Install the two side vent trim rings - making sure the orientation is correct press trim rings into the dash to overcome the resistance tabs.
2. Reconnect the hazard button harness connection.
3. Reinstall the upper vent/hazard button trim - start the top edge in first then press into the dash to overcome the resistance tabs, three Phillips screws just under the trim.
4. Reconnect the air tube onto the HVAC control, it will slip onto the barbed fitting on the HVAC control.
5. Reconnect the two HVAC harness connections to the HVAC control. They are different sizes so you can't reverse them.
6. Reinstall the radio/HVAC trim - push resistance tabs fully into place and install the two Phillips screws on bottom of the trim.
7. Test to make sure the HVAC controls still work fine before installing any other parts. better to find a mistake not than after you install the last pieces.
8. Reconnect the cigarette and ashtray lamp harness to the lighter module.
9. Reinstall the gear shift trim - push resistance tabs fully into place and turn gear shift knob clockwise while holding the shift boot collar in place until the knob is threaded in place.
***NOTE: Be careful not to rip your shift boot on the end of the shift lever!!!***
10. clean up and you're DONE

[JarHarms]

(What else) Footnotes
Funny that many want the red hazard button but really they have one already. The WRX button is just a red hazard painted over with gray. I like the WRX hazard button better anyways so I did not bother ordering the red one.


WRX button and dial ring


STi Limited button and dial ring


WRX button and STi Limited dial


STi Limited button and WRX dial
I liked the look of this combination best so I omitted the silver rings and sold them off later. NOTE: I DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE LEFT OVER PARTS FOR SALE!



(Who Else)
JDM S203 / RA2005 / S204 parts
I have never seen these parts in person (exception S204) but here are the observations I have made from various photos of these version cars and their console parts.
All the trim parts are flat black.
**I have seen some Spec C trim parts that were a color matching the USDM STi Limited.
The HVAC dials are a bright silver color same as the USDM STi Limited dials.
The HVAC dials have red position lighting instead of amber on the USDM dials.
**DIAL BLK SML #72324FE060 (HVAC mode and temp dial - left and right) x 2
**DIAL BLK SML #72324FE070 (HVAC fan dial - center) x 1
The HVAC buttons are flat black same as the USDM STi Limited dials.
The HVAC temp button is in degreeC (20degC - 25degC - 30degC) instead of degF.
The shifter trim does not have any holes just above the ashtray cover.
The side vent trim rings are flat black.

The S204 shifter ring and boot can be ordered using JDM p/n ST921294S220 but it will not be serialized. The area were the S204 serial numbers 000/000 will have an engraved STI logo in their place.

Painting your WRX trim parts
I guess any color is possible then. I've never painted console trim pieces before but I would be certain to suggest anything that will adhere well and leave a durable finish. Chipped or cracked paint occurring later is not worth the work involved IMO.

Vinyl wrapping your WRX trim parts
I feel that this is the better choice for a simple color change. It is durable, offered in multiple colors, is reversible, and relatively lower in cost. The only difficult parts would be the side vent trim rings, but I have seen then wrapped so I know it can be done with fair results.

[FunctionDesignsCo]

This just made my day

[outlaw_inferno]

Whoop!
The colour combination on those dials looks awesome!

[SudberlinM]

My question would be

On my 05 WRX that has the older instrument panel for the 3 knobs (Climate control,AC,hot or cold) could I change it to the newer ones like those in the pictures or it would require whole new wiring?

Cheers!

[JarHarms]

That info is out there in abundance in existing threads focused on that conversion.

Originally Posted by JarHarms

**Doing this modification in a WRX with the older center console would require more components and steps to finish the installation. I have not done such a conversion so I have no suggestions to provide. Search existing threads on that topic.**

[Bo0stin5STI]

Looks Good!

[kpluiten]

Great write up! Thank you for your contribution.

[dev6565]

Mega necro bump but I thought I'd chime in that while researching these parts I've found that the same part numbers now command a price of over $600 to buy new from Subaru. Not such a simple conversion anymore!