Removing centre console

[Jimb]

OK, granted this is my first Fiat (or Pininfarina)...but man did they do things the hard way.
I managed to find an extremely close match to the original carpet of my 1985.5...actually it could be an exact match but it's difficult to tell because of fading of the original... so I tried to remove the centre console to prepare for new carpet install.
Am I missing something here? I would have to remove the centre portion of the dash because it obstructs the console...and that is a son-of-a-gun to get out!! I finally gave up. The shop doing the interior will just have to work around the console.
Is there a trick to taking these things out that I should learn?

Cheers,
Jim

[maytag]

OK, granted this is my first Fiat (or Pininfarina)...but man did they do things the hard way.

I remember when I was much younger (in 1987!) working on my first Spider; I used to say all the time that I had to think like an Italian.

now, I don;t know what that means, but yes, somethings seem to be engineered a little differently than I would do it.
Maybe that's why I love 'em? Italian cars and motorcycles have been my choice for many years.

As to your center console: I've not owned one as new as yours, but I thought they were all put together the same? And if that's correct, then there's no reason any part of the dash should have to come out.
The radio-pod/console must be removed first, and then (assuming you've removed all the screws) lift the console, from the rear forward. (I've never tried to take mine out without first having removed the wood portion of the console, around the shifter, so maybe some others will know if that can be by-passed?)

[JimM]

You don't have to remove the radio console to take the center console out. Just move it toward the rear of the car a couple of inches. Lift the center console up and forward until it clears the shift lever (knob must be off and maybe the boot ), the cotinue the upwards lift but in a backwards direction and you will have the center console removed from the car. Several cans (glasses) of your favorite libation will facilitate the removal also. Installation is the exact reverse of these proceedures except for the libations which should continue down the throat. Good luck and have fun!!!!
Jim

[mdrburchette]

You could tuck your new carpet in under the lower console instead of removing it. I'm not sure if there's any difference between the new ones vs the older ones, but did you remove the ashtray in the rear of the console to access the screw under it? Also, I believe there are tabs or screws under the shifter plate you need to contend with.

[rlux4]

If you have the factory padded console, it doesn't come apart in two sections, it has to be removed as one piece. If this is what you have, it needs to be done this way; as Denise noted, there's a screw in a tab under the ashtray. It will be easier if the shifter extension is taken off. It's a very tight fit under the dash, so you need to push it down while it's being pulled backwards. I found it won't come back far enough to clear the underside of the dash without the e-brake handle disconnected from the cable under the car.
If you have the standard two piece console...never mind.
Ron

[Jimb]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll give her another go tonight.
I've done a numer of frame-up restorations over the years, so you would think I'm capable of doing something as easy as this. The problem I encoutered was, the centre section of the dash drops down and hold the console in. You'd have to really lift up on the centre section to give clearance to pull out the console out.
Cheers,
Jim

[Makita]

I removed center console of my -84 Spider in last winter, becouse i replaced new heater fan motor and heater valve.

Here some pics



Here is a good link how remove console
http://www.fiatspider.de/index2.php?opt ... Itemid=110

[Jimb]

Fabulous!!

Thanks for the help and the link.

Cheers,
Jim

[mdrburchette]

Good grief! I'm glad I have the early model.

[Seajunkie]

This thread scared the heck out of me. I took mine out today (1980). It was pretty easy. I took the top console off in order to slide the bottom one up over the shift. It wasn't too bad. Hopefully I can remember how to put it back together.