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Custom Shifter Console ideas

Started by _Herne_ , Apr 25 2007 04:58 PM

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21 replies to this topic

#1 _Herne_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 04:58 PM

Hi Guys, I am trying to install a custom style shifter console in my LX, I do not want the standard one OK

What I have photographed here is an idea I am working on from a VL or VK Commodore but as you can see I have had to raise this console to allow the T bar mechanism to clear.

I need you suggestions as to what console might fit better and is about an inch or so taller than what I have. The only stipulations I have are: Must be easy to secure and look neat.
Naturally the front carpet will be replaced with new and my electric window switches have yet to find a permanent location.

Posted Image

Any ideas appreciated but whether you hate or like my idea these are the lines I am heading along ok. Please help as I am stuck here and what I have is not at all good enough.

The tunnel has been customised ( sort of A9X'd) to take a T10 but I currently run a trimatic so the tunnel is quite wide.

Cheers
Herne

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#2 _Flamenco_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 05:13 PM

Sounds good

Do you have any interior shots that show your dash and seats too so we could get a better idea of what may suit it?
Not sure if any sort of console is appropriate - could always just use a B&M etc shifer and make a custom console to fit around it. Are you going to hide the ECU?

(I'm sure you are still just finding a place for it!)

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#3 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 05:25 PM

The B&M Megashifter comes with a box similar to the setup in your photo's. You can get RHD models.

Posted Image

http://www.barnesper...oducts/bnm.html

I am also working on a insert for the standard Torana console to suit the megashifter.

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#4 TerrA LX

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 05:28 PM

UC consoles are quite high. You may be able to do something with one.
https://cache.gmh-to...uc/RIMG0743.jpg

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#5 _Herne_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 05:55 PM

The B&M Megashifter comes with a box similar to the setup in your photo's. You can get RHD models.

snip

I am also working on a insert for the standard Torana console to suit the megashifter.

I guess I had best fess up why I am not using a B & M right now.

Lack of funds....Yeah I knwo they are only $300.00 but right now I have other priorities.

Looking for a reasonable fix thats cheap.

Here is what the interior looks like right now.

Posted Image

Woodgrain dash will one day be replaced with black SL/R

As you can see the console I am replacing is somewhat large and ugly.

I might look into a UC console but still looking for other ideas please.
Does anyone have a good UC console like that pictured by ALX76 that they dont want a lot for?

Cheers
Herne

Edited by Herne, 25 April 2007 - 05:58 PM.

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#6 TerrA LX

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 06:01 PM

VK one you have ATM looks o.k. whats the prob with it?

EDIT; oh just read; large and ugly. Looks o.k. to me.

Edited by ALX76, 25 April 2007 - 06:03 PM.

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#7 _Herne_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 06:28 PM

nah the old one was large and ugly

Th VK one looks ok but I have it sitting up on tall spacers and the shifter mechanism still catches on the thing. Looks kinda ugly up close when you actually see the 1" gap between the carpet and the base, I guess what I need is one with a taller base.
Anyone got anything?
You cant see it but I have taken to the underside of the VK console with a dremel tool to cut away the excess plastic housing and its still not right. It would be perfect if I could get it to sit flat but the HQ? T-Bar doesnt allow for that.

Cheers
Herne

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#8 TerrA LX

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 06:34 PM

How bout a UC front (they are 2 piece) and a HX-HZ short rear? (the arm rest short type they used for buckets with column change).

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#9 _Herne_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 06:43 PM

If it looks ok and I can get away with it I dont want the armrest anyway, looks too stock torana-ish

Would be interested in seeing close up pics of a UC front part though. If I can make it fit ok it looks like it could do the job. I am looking for a clean finish where it sits sort of between the seats. Hope that makes sense.

ps where the armrest usually sits is where I am thinking of relocating the fire extinguisher which currently is fitted in the boot.

Cheers
Herne

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#10 TerrA LX

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 06:48 PM

^ sounds good.
Gemini ones look similar to the UC ones from memory, should go have a look.

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#11 _Herne_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 08:24 PM

Any one else got any input for me?

I reckon we haven't scratched the surface yet.

Cheers
Herne

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#12 _Azza_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 10:47 PM

Im using a vn console in mine. I reckon they look killa. I'll take some photos when it's in but wont be for a month at least.

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#13 _Big T_

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Posted 25 April 2007 - 11:16 PM

I did some research on the net for a custom job for my UC ( to incorporate the megashifter). Found an article on a ricer site to build your own out of ply wood and cover it in resin or what ever tickles your fancy. Might not be what your after but it seemed like a cheap and effective process. Let me know if you want a link to the article.

Make sure you paint your fire extinguisher blue and chuck a NOS sticker on it man. Your beast will gain a 20% horsepower increase!!!

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#14 _Herne_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 07:52 AM

Im using a vn console in mine. I reckon they look killa. I'll take some photos when it's in but wont be for a month at least.

Azza put your photo's up when you can by all means. I am sure they will be good to see.
I am really looking for something completed within a month though mate.

Big T yeah mate I would like to see that link you found. I am not much of a fabricator but who knows I might find some ideas.

Finally I dont suppose anyone has a B & M shifter base spare laying around? I could easily use that I think.

Cheers
Herne

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#15 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 10:51 AM

I have a spare megashifter base. I have used the chrome trim that houses the shift indicator. You can have the black base if you want it.

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#16 _Big T_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 11:55 AM

Here ya go Herne. Its a rice page but the concept still applies. Custom Console

Cheers,

T

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#17 _Herne_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 02:27 PM

I have a spare megashifter base. I have used the chrome trim that houses the shift indicator. You can have the black base if you want it.

Thanks I will bear it in mind but naturally I really need one with the shifter patter indicator. Shame yours does not have this as it might have been ideal for my needs.

Cheers
Herne

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#18 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 08:32 PM

You could try ringing VPW to find out if they sell parts for the Megashifter.

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#19 _Flamenco_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 08:53 PM

Gear indicator would be easy to rig up. Most of them these days are just a globe behind the film. All you need to do for that would be to find a shifter that has the desired style of lettering at the wreckers and cut them out individually... Then just drill a large hole in the console and glue them from underneath it, run a string of small 12v globes underneath them (get the supply from the parker circuit - or accessories if they should be on all the time)

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#20 _Herne_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 09:10 PM

You could try ringing VPW to find out if they sell parts for the Megashifter.

Now thats a clue, I hadn't considered there might be parts available - ty will try that.

Herne

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#21 _Herne_

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Posted 26 April 2007 - 09:13 PM

Gear indicator would be easy to rig up. Most of them these days are just a globe behind the film. All you need to do for that would be to find a shifter that has the desired style of lettering at the wreckers and cut them out individually... Then just drill a large hole in the console and glue them from underneath it, run a string of small 12v globes underneath them (get the supply from the parker circuit - or accessories if they should be on all the time)

True enough, I was thinking more along the lines of a manual pointer and not so much lights, I am pretty sure they should be lit though to please those in power lol.
Anyway all good food for thought.

Herne