Author Topic: Adding a non-gauge console?  (Read 18275 times)

z28z11

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2018, 01:50:04 AM »
I do believe I would nix the console - that's an awfully pretty interior with the floor shift/no console.

My L78 car is a non - console, or was - Rivnut never installed. Tunnel was cut for an aftermarket shifter, which I have to fix, but it will go back as a non-console car. I hope it looks as good as yours -

Regards,
Steve

Are you totally sure this car never had a console ? Tunnel was dimpled, not drilled through, and there was a dimple to locate the Rivnut. If there are holes there, it was an original console car. Only way to tell for sure is the look underneath the carpet and/or the underside of the tunnel. Just asking -
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6

x66 714

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2018, 02:06:44 AM »
If my 69 weren't a console car, I wouldn't want one in it. I love the look of it without one. Here's what mine looked like when I was installing the carpet and before I re-installed the console.


Nice job on the carpet. I always tried to match the factory cuts. It always looked frumpy. I won't me doing it like that this time...Joe
See America's First, Chevrolet

1968 Z/28 Corvette Bronze. Black Hounds Tooth. 02E Los Angeles born 3/13/1968 pnt OO. Purchased March 1976
1969 SS396 Yellow/Yellow 08E Norwood born 8/28/1969 pnt 76E. Purchased April 1981

169INDY

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #17 on: March 21, 2018, 02:32:35 AM »
To the Original Poster;
I have never added a console w/ gauges; However I would Add one "IF" I had a non Console Car, the various retailers offer many kits for conversion. It will be intrusive; interference, carpet, wiring, senders,  sheet-metal mods holes, etc. Then the inevitable troubleshooting challenges. I imagine it will be a fair bit of work with gauges (simpler w/o gauges). I considered adding gauges to my existing console cars and have always felt the same as the non console vs console car positions presented here. Wanting to preserve the originality factor.
So thinking about it I seem to remember that over at Camaros.net there is a thread on just such a conversion console w/gauges, others might be able to locate the link on that Clunky ad riddled site. ( I am a bit frustrated at the commercial segment on that other site.) Possibly that thread would have tips and info that would be helpful.

Either way with or without Console this is subjective similar to the ever lasting spoiler debate.

Jim
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

HawkX66

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2018, 12:04:32 PM »
If my 69 weren't a console car, I wouldn't want one in it. I love the look of it without one. Here's what mine looked like when I was installing the carpet and before I re-installed the console.


Nice job on the carpet. I always tried to match the factory cuts. It always looked frumpy. I won't me doing it like that this time...Joe
Thanks a lot. I did spend a lot more time on it than I thought I would have to. In the end, I think the time was well spent. The only thing I did differently from factory were the cuts where the seat mounts and the front of the console. I cut the carpet close enough to the mount points that you can't tell that it's cut when the seat and the front console mounts are mounted. In the end, not wrinkles so I was happy.
Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
Z23 711 U17 Hugger Orange
Semper Fi!

KurtS

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2018, 04:06:35 PM »
btw, your car shouldn't have woodgrain on the passenger side dash. That's only deluxe interior.
Kurt S
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BULLITT65

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #20 on: March 21, 2018, 04:10:56 PM »
Your column and steering wheel should be red as well along with the dividers on either side of the center pod above the steering wheel.
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
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bheston

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #21 on: March 21, 2018, 08:24:48 PM »
What's the difference between "Deluxe Interior" and "Special Interior Group - Wood Grain" that is called out on the window sticker?

x66 714

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #22 on: March 21, 2018, 11:13:55 PM »
Deluxe interior has molded door panels & either a comfort weave inserted seats or hounds tooth cloth inserted seats.

Special interior includes assist grip on passenger side above glove box, Wood grained steering wheel accents. & bright pedal trim

Special interior is included with deluxe interior.....Joe
See America's First, Chevrolet

1968 Z/28 Corvette Bronze. Black Hounds Tooth. 02E Los Angeles born 3/13/1968 pnt OO. Purchased March 1976
1969 SS396 Yellow/Yellow 08E Norwood born 8/28/1969 pnt 76E. Purchased April 1981

KurtS

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Kurt S
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bheston

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #24 on: March 22, 2018, 10:01:17 AM »
Thanks - great info!

bheston

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #25 on: March 27, 2018, 04:57:42 PM »
I'm reviewing the "plan" to install a non-gauge console.  I want to make sure it is: 1) done correctly per the AIM and 2) it's reasonably reversible.  I see four holes I would need to drill.  The front two look reasonable but the back two require a "special nut" - 3792287.  Was that nut a split nut like the picture below?  The diagrams also included below show the special nut and part number.
 

HawkX66

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #26 on: March 27, 2018, 06:32:50 PM »
No, they were not a split nut. They're called a "rivnut."

My factory one:





Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
Z23 711 U17 Hugger Orange
Semper Fi!

169INDY

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #27 on: March 27, 2018, 07:31:49 PM »
Check for availability at McMaster-Carr
Steel Rivet Nuts

About twice as strong as aluminum rivet nuts, these steel rivet nuts are zinc plated for mild corrosion resistance. Also known as blind inserts, they can be installed when you have access to only one side of the material. Install in a drilled hole using a rivet nut tool. The tool collapses the nut, creating a backside flange that holds the nut to the material. Length is measured from under the flange. Installed length is the maximum length of the barrel when installed

<above cut & paste from McMaster>

JIM
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

Mike S

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #28 on: March 27, 2018, 07:32:05 PM »
Dave,

  Is that rough cut factory?

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
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HawkX66

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #29 on: March 27, 2018, 07:35:28 PM »
Dave,

  Is that rough cut factory?

Mike
The 4 speed hole? Yes, that's factory cut.
Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
Z23 711 U17 Hugger Orange
Semper Fi!