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Re: Under-dash console Posted by Saana88 [Email]  (#207)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saana88) on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:20:59
In Reply to: Under-dash console, tz, Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:51:36 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Yes. Minor work. No.
I added the console from a junkyard donor to my '88 900. All you need is to get a donor car with the right color "surround" (the carpet-covered shell behind the console between the dash and the exhaust tunnel) and all eleven fasteners.
To retrofit your car, remove the existing ashtray and drill out the rivets holding the backing plate in place. Feel the carpet just ahead of the shifter console for the two metal tabs used to locate the console and cut two small squares out of the carpet to bring them to the surface. Next, attach the console unit (black plastic) to the surround with four screws (from the donor car, if it's intact). Don't put too much stress on them because especially the upper ones tend to tear out with age and mishandling. Next, pull out the rear defroster and hazard switches (and power windows if you've got a hatch) and fish the illumination bulb for the ashtray down through the hole in the knee bolster. Pop the switches back in place, drape the bulb through the ashtray hole in the console, and slide the whole assembly in from the passenger's side. The metal bracket at the rear of the surround should fit around the bump for the floor vent duct nicely. You will have to push down on the top of the console whilst sliding the assembly into place. Do not allow the top of the console to tear the padded bottom of the padded dash panel. Just when you think it's going to break, the top of the console should snap into the molded recess in the bottom of the dash and knee bolster. Put the illumination light in the fitting in the console ashtray backing plate and clip the wires in the clip, isn't that cute? Take the 13 mm extension bolt and fit that in the center attachment point for the knee bolster after taking out the existing 10 mm bolt. Attach the plate to the console with four small screws (later models these were T15 Torx heads). Take the 10 mm bolt and connect the ashtray backing plate to the bolt extension at the center of the knee bolster. Next, pressing forward on the base of the console, secure the base of the console assembly with two screws from the donor in the bracket you poked through the fabric before. Squeeze the rubber "bellows" thingy into place between the shifter console and the center console and you're ready to fill it up with garage door openers, tissues, a compact disc player, parking tags, auxiliary gauges, Altoids, and the like.
Wasn't that easy? And cheap? The junkyard guy shouldn't want more than $15-20 for the whole deal.
When you're shopping, aside from getting all the fasteners, be advised you'll want the rubber bellows thingy part from 1990 and elder cars. 1991 and newer saw that part changed to a chintzy plastic part that doesn't stay in place nearly as well and has a big hole inside it. With the rubber bellows, the center console pushes against the shifter console and vice versa, eliminating any reaks and squattles. It's well-engineered, fitting the theme for the rest of the car.
Enjoy!
, Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:20:59 <-- Viewing This Message, Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:29:20
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