A bodys- NE1 here make their own consoles? UPDATED WITH PICS!!

[LAWFISH]

Well, for those who are interested, I bought this 82-92 center console that is, lets just say chebbie. $15.00 on ebay. I did a bit of cutting and trimming.

The one side is broken(during shipping I guess, imagine that) but its right where I may have to cut it and narrow it a bit.

I could use some input from some A body 4 speed guys on where the shifter will rest?? Have any pics for me.

However I am not against narrowing the center area, where is flanges inset where the vent is and running parallel to the rail that’s now there, so the shifter and boot are on the OUTSIDE of the console. I wanted a console for some stereo, a few gauges and think this will work. 

I want a top plate that’s metal, which I will have cut to fit the entire top after its fabed and cover it and the face plates with some metal cut and painted to the body color or maybe an argent or silver  using the Q5 turquoise to accent the gauge bezels, ect.

Any suggestion on what to use for the top plate, what gauge or will my plasta cuter cut aluminum without giving out some gases that are bad?

I can also buy some stereo plate that inset into the dash for the area under the dash,

So what ya think??? As usual I am open to any idea you may have as there are a lot more brains on here with a lot more experience than me.

LAWFISH









OLD STUFF BELOW
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I am just curious. I am considering making a console for the 67 Dart. I am talking a console from the dash down to the 4 speed tunnel. Something for a tach, stereo and some extra gauges, ect. Thought about fabing something out of metal sides and shooting it the color of the car Q5 and white interior mix.

Was wondering what ideas you folks came up with and completed?

Dave

[mopowers]

My dad and I made one for my old 72 satellite about 10 years ago.  We just made a carboard template and transferred it to 1/2" particle board.  When we were done, we covered it in carpet.  It looked slick and was a great place for the stereo and gauges.  Sorry, I never took any pics.

[75Dart440]

I am going to build mine out of 1/4" veneer from home depot and cover in black vinyl.

[Cpt Panzer]

 

[Arillious]

this would make a ice thread to show off thos home made consoles!i may make one for m my gf's car

[CudaSRT8]

Well, I REALLY LIKE the look of NO console with the stick shift lever coming up through the carpet with a nice boot and trim ring.   However, there's a few reasons that I'm probably going to go ahead and build a console for my car.   I think I'm going to start with a factory Grand Cherokee SRT8 console for the rear (storage) portion and then fabricate forward from there.  The center section will be custom built and go forward, up under the dash.   Haven't decided whether I'll keep it low and separate from the dash, or build it to go up and meet (bolt up to) the bottom of the dash.   

I'll be using sheets of ABS plastic or luan plywood (or both) for the fabricated section.  Then, the whole thing will be covered with thinly padded leather.  Oh, and I'm using the hand brake assembly from the GC SRT8.   It's a REAL NICE piece, with stiched leather hand grip and a touch of chrome.

That's my PLAN anyway.  Not quite to that point yet.   Will post pics when I get there.   Would love to see others ideas / pics in the meantime also...

[jackie]

here's a console made out of a nos bottle, with a cup holder!!

[LAWFISH]

Well, I REALLY LIKE the look of NO console with the stick shift lever coming up through the carpet with a nice boot and trim ring.   However, there's a few reasons that I'm probably going to go ahead and build a console for my car.   I think I'm going to start with a factory Grand Cherokee SRT8 console for the rear (storage) portion and then fabricate forward from there.  The center section will be custom built and go forward, up under the dash.   Haven't decided whether I'll keep it low and separate from the dash, or build it to go up and meet (bolt up to) the bottom of the dash.   

I'll be using sheets of ABS plastic or luan plywood (or both) for the fabricated section.  Then, the whole thing will be covered with thinly padded leather.  Oh, and I'm using the hand brake assembly from the GC SRT8.   It's a REAL NICE piece, with stiched leather hand grip and a touch of chrome.

That's my PLAN anyway.  Not quite to that point yet.   Will post pics when I get there.   Would love to see others ideas / pics in the meantime also...

I agree 100 percent about the clean look of the 4 speed sticking out of the floor. And I may end up that way if I cant find anything worthy of the transformation. However, this si going to be my driver and I need a couple of amenaties like cup holders, ect if I am going to drive it alot. I was looking at a cherokee cnsole as well but am now looking at a 82-era camero console if i can get it cheap enough for the off chance that I can make it work. I may even be able to cut it down near the shifter and keep thta clean sleek 4 speed look to the diver side with the console slimming down on the pass side to miss the 4 speed shifter which is very offset compared to almost any console.

These are the two I was thinking baout

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130245459873&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220267701386&rd=1

I am working on the interior now and just need some additional speaker wire. I also really hate to put speakers in nice door panels and thought that maybe a set would fit in the console as well, thus leaving the door panels real nice and white in my case.

LAWFISH

[75Dart440]

Another console that may work, is the one used in the 84-92 G-body cars (Daytona, Laser, etc).  They are pretty simple from what I remember.....and they have pull out drink holders and 2-DIN radio opening.

[CudaSRT8]

Lawfish,
The Camaro console looks interesting as potential for running it up under / to the dash.  Be careful.  I've found that the distance from the bottom of the dash to the hump is deceiving.    I don't know that the Camaro console will fit up under there.   Try to get it real cheap...

[LAWFISH]

Lawfish,
The Camaro console looks interesting as potential for running it up under / to the dash.  Be careful.  I've found that the distance from the bottom of the dash to the hump is deceiving.    I don't know that the Camaro console will fit up under there.   Try to get it real cheap...

Well we will try it. I got it for approx 15 bucks plus shipping which is $30.00 but worth an effort. I had the guy measure it and I can cut and adjust once I have a pattern of sorts. I an going to narror the center and leave the shifter offset to the driver's side with the original boot and bezle.

I will take some pics, when it gets here and see if my luck ran out.

Dave

[CudaSRT8]

Sounds cheap enough.  Keep the info coming, this will be interesting.  I had a special little angled center piece I found to come down from the dash to the hump (without going back toward the shifte).   As small (short) as I thought it was, when I went to put it up under there, it was way to tall.   Couldn't really be modified to work, so I'm still looking...

[LAWFISH]

Sounds cheap enough.  Keep the info coming, this will be interesting.  I had a special little angled center piece I found to come down from the dash to the hump (without going back toward the shifte).   As small (short) as I thought it was, when I went to put it up under there, it was way to tall.   Couldn't really be modified to work, so I'm still looking...

CudaSRT8--- do you have a link to your SRT8 car? Or a how you did it compilation?  I am curious. I am going to put the same motor(eventually into) my 38 Plymouth but am also thinking about a 67 HT Dart.

Dave

[CudaSRT8]

Lawfish,
If you go to the Engine/Drivetrain section and look at the first "sticky", Gocirino started a thread for 3rd Gen. posts.   Pretty good information has evolved there.   I posted some pics of my engine and some particulars.   There's several other pics posted by others doing similar conversions.   Check it out.   My previous camera went bad and I haven't learned how to use my new camera, so I've slacked off considerably with pictures.   Need to get going there before I move too far along and lose a lot of shots along the way...

[LAWFISH]

Well, for those who are interested, I bought this 82-92 center console that is, lets just say chebbie. $15.00 on ebay. I did a bit of cutting and trimming.

The one side is broken(during shipping I guess, imagine that) but its right where I may have to cut it and narrow it a bit.

I could use some input from some A body 4 speed guys on where the shifter will rest?? Have any pics for me.

However I am not against narrowing the center area, where is flanges inset where the vent is and running parallel to the rail that’s now there, so the shifter and boot are on the OUTSIDE of the console. I wanted a console for some stereo, a few gauges and think this will work. 

I want a top plate that’s metal, which I will have cut to fit the entire top after its fabed and cover it and the face plates with some metal cut and painted to the body color or maybe an argent or silver  using the Q5 turquoise to accent the gauge bezels, ect.

Any suggestion on what to use for the top plate, what gauge or will my plasta cuter cut aluminum without giving out some gases that are bad?

I can also buy some stereo plate that inset into the dash for the area under the dash,

So what ya think??? As usual I am open to any idea you may have as there are a lot more brains on here with a lot more experience than me.

LAWFISH

[cu440da]

I put a similar console in my car a few years ago.

[CudaSRT8]

Lawfish,
I'll propose something here, but it may require extra work and cost that you had not necessarily planned.   

What if you cut the center section out and turn it 180 degrees so that notched area (currently on the right side) will be right where your shifter is.   You could cut the bottom out of the notch and it looks to me like the shifter plate and boot would come up right there.    You'd need to get some ABS and ABS glue and splice, etc.   Then you'd need to cover the sides with some grained vinyl. 

I saw a pretty rare '63ish Chrysler Convertible with a 413 w/4sp. and the console had a notched area around the shifter (very similar to what I've described) and then it had the boot and bezel coming up through that notched area.

The slanted area up front is pretty much exactly what I'm looking to do.   It looks pretty natural there, like it could have come from the factory...

[Cpt Panzer]

 I agree that does look like a natural , but I think I would try what cudasrt8 said  with one variation. after you cut it use only the front part and start building the rear part out of card board. when you come up with a desighn you like , take it apart and use  the card board peices as templates and transfer them to 1/4 in plywood. when you put the plywood peices together with epoxy and brace the corners on the inside with some 1x1 scrap. wrap it in vinyl . another alternative if you don't want extra weight , you could use the plywood structure as a form for fiberglass . I am not familiar with that process. maybe some one else could chime in here.

[LAWFISH]

Lawfish,
I'll propose something here, but it may require extra work and cost that you had not necessarily planned.   

What if you cut the center section out and turn it 180 degrees so that notched area (currently on the right side) will be right where your shifter is.   You could cut the bottom out of the notch and it looks to me like the shifter plate and boot would come up right there.    You'd need to get some ABS and ABS glue and splice, etc.   Then you'd need to cover the sides with some grained vinyl. 

I saw a pretty rare '63ish Chrysler Convertible with a 413 w/4sp. and the console had a notched area around the shifter (very similar to what I've described) and then it had the boot and bezel coming up through that notched area.

The slanted area up front is pretty much exactly what I'm looking to do.   It looks pretty natural there, like it could have come from the factory...

Thats actually what I was thinking. The area on the left thats inset is useless as is and my top plate was going to have to cover it some how anu way.  My only worry is the support and metal frame inside that currently gives it all its strength. I am off sun thru tuesday and will spend the weekend playing with it. I have a plastic weld guy and LOT OF JB weld, so I imagive with some effort I can make it work.  Dave