Center Console Fabrication

[752dbl02]

I just removed the useless A/C console, and now i would love to fill the ugly gap that it leaves behind...

Has anyone ever built their own center faceplate so to say??

Chris

[esty]

yep....several times

[74tiiGolf]

Not to hijack the thread but did you have a chance to take those pics of the backs of your radios, esty? Let me know if you get a chance. Thanks!

Matthew

[esty]

Not to hijack the thread but did you have a chance to take those pics of the backs of your radios, esty? Let me know if you get a chance. Thanks!

Matthew

i'm home today...i got your last email but haven't been home to check....i'll try to round up a couple today

sorry for dragging my feet work and real life are heck sometimes

[randerson]

Would you like to sell the evaporator? Is it a Behr unit?

Randy Anderson

[BillWilliams]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,286338/

[bluedevils]

Also check Harrison's build:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/componento/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,277647/

[esty]

did you have a chance to take those pics of the backs of your radios, esty? Let me know if you get a chance. Thanks!

Matthew

mat...i just emailed you a zip file with pics....if it's not what you were looking for, let me know and i'll try to do better

e

[Todd21]

Matthew,

Parker also does a great job with the center insert if you decide not to take it on yourself.

http://www.parkerperformance.com/

[752dbl02]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,286338/

Dimensions of that wonderfully crafted console?

Your car is f***ing awesome btw!!

Parker perf. seems to be kinda pricey...

I will end up taking a shot at a homemade one first before dropping cash on one, but thanks for the link.

Thanks guys,

Chris

[BillWilliams]

is the stock dimensions, side to side, of the old one.

We just extended it to fill the area of the console top to bottom.

We used "furniture connectors" to hold the face to the sides. Those connectors use two parts. You drill two holes into the face of the console, one hole is where there female part of the connector slides into and the other hole allows the "screw" part of the furniture connector to go into. The screw part of the connector goes through the side of the console into the female part and as you tighten it up, it draws the face of the console to the side of the console. The connectors came in a bronze color, just painted them black.

[Otis]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,286338/

Dimensions of that wonderfully crafted console?

Your car is f***ing awesome btw!!

The true brains behind the operation?

[BillWilliams]

(nt)

[H_Krix]

dunno why the link above to my console isn't working, but maybe try this one:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,308361/highlight,slackey/

I pretty much copied Bill William's and Slackey's builds, with a few small adaptations to hide the screws on the panels. That made mine a bit of a bitch to assemble, but you can't beat the smooth sides!

[ColinK]

I went to Tap Plastics here in Seattle and found some 3/8 stock (PVC?) that has a texture, similar to the Behr AC console I had.

As you can see, the texture is more than the original but i think it looks pretty good. This is bonded to 3/16 plylwood for strength and rigidity. Small angle brackets are sandwiched to provide mounting for the side panels, dash, shift surround and trans tunnel.

It's very solid and with no sqeaks or rattles after 4 years.