Installing a Console Cap

[GOPAPA]

I am about to begin the job of capping my old console . Got any advice for me that would help me with this installation ?

I plan on taking out the seats as it looks like I could do the job better with them out of the way.
How about the adhesive to use ? I read that silicone is used but if any one has any experience using something better for some reason I would appreciate it. I thought that I should spread the adhesive evenly all over the old console .
If any one has done this and can let me know the what not to do's and things to make it go better from learning from their own console please let me know as I didn't get a how to book with the console cap telling step by step ..

thanks papa

[mbouse]

what color did you buy? get some SEM paint of the exact same color before you begin. the paint on the cap will easily scratch off, and there is no avoiding some of that.

i removed my console from the car for better wrangling of the assembly. remember that you will need to cut the openings here and there for the trim pieces that fit inside the now narrower openings. I actually had to go without the trim rings for the ash trays in order to get the ashtrays to fit the smaller openings.

I also used a couple of putty knives to help wedge the heater bezel in place.

the triangle wood trim piece was the most stubborn for me, even after repeated sanding of the trim.

i used silicon adhesive, but not nearly as much as you think you need. follow the contour of the cap with a single bead, and around each of the openings.

be prepared to spray touch up paint everywhere (another reason to remove the console from the car).

[mbouse]

if i had it all to do over again, i would buy a new replacement console and not go with a cap.

[73Spider]

I am about to begin the job of capping my old console . Got any advice for me that would help me with this installation ?

I plan on taking out the seats as it looks like I could do the job better with them out of the way.
How about the adhesive to use ? I read that silicone is used but if any one has any experience using something better for some reason I would appreciate it. I thought that I should spread the adhesive evenly all over the old console .
If any one has done this and can let me know the what not to do's and things to make it go better from learning from their own console please let me know as I didn't get a how to book with the console cap telling step by step ..

thanks papa

I was quickly talked out of capping my center console by the fine members of this board. Let me know what you think of the results when you are done (if you decide to proceed with the install). Good luck.

[Tappy]

Hi there

I did it also , it sure takes alot of work , but in the end i'm glad i've done it

must say it was not easy do, but if your in a midlife crisis and want to proof yourself GO AHEAD
Be sure you can borrow someones dremel and get a special mill finishing tool
like this


Like ron says its a real hassle to get the cover over the original dash , so be sure the old one is smooth to begin with ,use almost 100 clamps to hold it in place when the glue hardens , be prepared to adjust every opening in the console especially the one for the triangel piece there you might want to cut of extra mold , use extreme italian force to get the thing in combined with some obsecious cursing ! repeat these steps for all the other holes and wisch you listend to ron and the others . Spend 4 hours in your car trying to find the correct remountholes.

But in the end be glad you did it , you deserve a cold beer and you saved almost 100% of $$

if you need to paint it , your probably screwed

anyone thouch of a leather upholstery on an old (smooth) console ? seems like a doalble idea?

[rlux4]

Yes, Tappy, Radiopilot did the entire interior on his son's car; seats, dash,visors,carpet,console, the whole magilla and did a terrific job. See the whole thing here;
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 188#p13188
Ron

[msrmd]

See my response to: '1973 Spider in need of: '

Mark

[mdrburchette]

It sounds like it would be easier to send it off and have it redone. Just Dashes quoted me $450 for the lower console:
http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm
I paid about that amount for a new one 15 years ago.

[GOPAPA]

It sounds like it would be easier to send it off and have it redone. Just Dashes quoted me $450 for the lower console:
http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm
I paid about that amount for a new one 15 years ago.

The old one had broke out parts as you can see .. I took it out today and put the new skin on it and glued it and tomorrow will put it back in . Not to bad so far but putting it back in will be fun with the upper console to deal with and all the wiring.
Aslo the shifter boot was a challenge with the aluminum ring with a pop rivet . will post later after installation of console is completed ,, thanks again all for the info.. papa

[mbouse]

yup, that looks familiar. good looking job too!

[GOPAPA]

It sounds like it would be easier to send it off and have it redone. Just Dashes quoted me $450 for the lower console:
http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm
I paid about that amount for a new one 15 years ago.

The old one had broke out parts as you can see .. I took it out today and put the new skin on it and glued it and tomorrow will put it back in . Not to bad so far but putting it back in will be fun with the upper console to deal with and all the wiring.
Aslo the shifter boot was a challenge with the aluminum ring with a pop rivet . will post later after installation of console is completed ,, thanks again all for the info.. papa

Heres what I have to say about the intallation of a Console Cap..

First of all it isn't to hard to do.. of course all your help ,,Helped ! I did have to reduce the size of the metal plate that goes around the gear shifter due to it being just a bit to large to fit into place ,,but with a peanut grinder it was not hard to fix. Other than that all holes lined up and work fine .

The hardest thing about all of it ,,is the aluminum collar that holds the boot into place . I chose not to put it back exactly the way it was .. So,, I used the old plywood surrround for a template and cut a new one out of 3/4 plywood .

Then I staightened out the collar flange on one side to allow it to mold to the edge of the inside of the circle I cut out for the gear shifter ..I put it inside the boot just like it was before and then use carpet tacks to nail it to the inside of the edge of the plywood circle . Therefore you cannot see the Aluminum coller .. I nailed it ever 3/4 inch to hold it's true shape.

This Plywood is "temporary" until I find a better match to the other wood grains on the dash.. and I plan on making the next one out of 1/2 inch material and it will set down into its pocket better. All I need to do is use this one for a copy and make a new one ..

If I had not done this replacement of a console and gear shift plywood ,,and read what I just wrote ,,I wouldn't of had the foggyest of what it all meant ,,so for give me if this makes very little sence.. Maybe to you that have done it will.. LOL

Here is the results ,,,,,,papa

[rlux4]

That looks very good Papa. What a difference, huh? Weren't you looking for a emer. brake lever handle? Is the one in the pictures one you found? I was going to say there's a lever on Ebay right now with a handle that looks pretty good.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

that's one one of the better looking cap installations I've seen

[GOPAPA]

[quote="rlux4"]That looks very good Papa. What a difference, huh? Weren't you looking for a emer. brake lever handle? Is the one in the pictures one you found? I was going to say there's a lever on Ebay right now with a handle that looks pretty good.
Ron[/quote

Well thank ya ,, if you look at one of the pictures you will see that a chunk is missing from the lower part of the rubber grip .And it's not to bad ,,just not right ,,and I will bide my time and maybe pick up a parts car between my son and I and spend maybe $500 and that way get me a new e-brake handle . Thats pretty cheap isn't it for a handle .. LOL papa

[rlux4]

Well, $500 is a little pricey for a E-brake handle. But on the other hand, be a lot of free parts left over.
Ron