Dash fitment
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Dash fitment
I am having a terrible time trying to get my dash and center console back in. The left dash is in and fits fine. The center dash is in and screwed to the A/C duct. The console has everything hooked up and as you can see in the picture it needs to go forward and up.
It won't go any further forward without something breaking and it does not want to go up at all. All parts are original except console.
Anyone else had this problem and anyone know a solution?
Thanks, Dave.
It won't go any further forward without something breaking and it does not want to go up at all. All parts are original except console.
Anyone else had this problem and anyone know a solution?
Thanks, Dave.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Erie Pa.
I have a new consol for my 72 arriving in the mail tommarrow, the first thing i'm going to do is test fit it. Maybe a different year has a different screw mount location on the console???? I will be watching for the outcome.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There have been a lot of posts about this problem. If you use the search function you will find them. I recently learned something interesting that has saved me a lot of time and effort. When these cars were assembled on the line many of the parts were simply held in place and then the holes were drilled through the "trim" part and whatever it mounted to. Now when we try to match up new parts with old holes it a problem. On my console I pushed everything into place, drilled new holes and put the screws it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Thanks for the replys. Here is another picture of the top of the console. The studs on the bottom of the center dash are fully seated in the slots of the console, yet it looks like the dash should go in another 1/2 inch. There is a gap between the dash part and the console that you can see the wires on the back side.
It just doesen't look right.
It just doesen't look right.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
And here is a picture of the brake console showing the console must go forward. If I just start drilling new holes I will need to cut the e-brake console to make it fit.
Thanks for any and all help.
Thanks for any and all help.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: verona va
I re did my whole interior last summer and ran into the same thing. I got everything from Willcox. Great quality, not saying anything negative about the items. (He chimed in on a last post like this.)
I ran into the exact same thing. I got it to kinda fit and left it. It seemed like it needed to go to the front another 1/2 inch or so. I am not happy with it and will re do it when the weather warms up. I also have a piece of carpet that isn't tucked under the e brake console, kinda like in one of your pics. That will get corrected too........
I'm hoping someone will have the fix, the last posting on this a week or so ago it took a phone call from Willcox to get it straightend out.
I ran into the exact same thing. I got it to kinda fit and left it. It seemed like it needed to go to the front another 1/2 inch or so. I am not happy with it and will re do it when the weather warms up. I also have a piece of carpet that isn't tucked under the e brake console, kinda like in one of your pics. That will get corrected too........
I'm hoping someone will have the fix, the last posting on this a week or so ago it took a phone call from Willcox to get it straightend out.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: owasso jokelahoma
i just went thru this same thing on my 68 last week!! after trying and trying with the right dash in place and not in place i finally dove into my 68 service manual, it said to put console in place first then right dash then center cluster "tilt cluster towards rear of car set the lower studs into the console and carefully push down and tilt the top into place"
hope this helps i went nice an slow and careful and it worked. just havent been able to get the lower nuts back in place yet
also said to leave radio unattached to center cluster and work it in as you are setting the lower studs
hope this helps i went nice an slow and careful and it worked. just havent been able to get the lower nuts back in place yet
also said to leave radio unattached to center cluster and work it in as you are setting the lower studs
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
JUST went through this.....got a call from the vendor (won't name names) who told me I'd need to just kinda push harder....seriously, just kinda (gently but with force) force it up and forward.....1/2" - 1" was all it needed.
IT WORKED....it really did!!!!
Here you can see the brake console overlapping....
But I used a pry bar with some padding so as not to scratch anything and got my girlfriend to start the screws.....I was stunned and amazed, but it was that simple.
Hope this helps and you get it all together.....let us know!
IT WORKED....it really did!!!!
Here you can see the brake console overlapping....
But I used a pry bar with some padding so as not to scratch anything and got my girlfriend to start the screws.....I was stunned and amazed, but it was that simple.
Hope this helps and you get it all together.....let us know!
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 5
From: illinois
is your vette a convertible??? I had the same problem. The tach cable was interferring with the support bar not allowing the pad to fully seat which in turn would not let the console move forward. My 2 cents.
Mike
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Tried it with the radio in place yet? I got lucky with mine. Fitted great, although I had to be a bit forceful to get the top of the guage cluster to sit right where the A/C vents are. Had to lift the top dash pad up while pushing the guage cluster forward. Loosen the uuper dash pad screw first if it's a bit tight.
BTW, I'm the sort of guy who would work like a Trojan to get it fitting right, and forget to put the radio in!
BTW, I'm the sort of guy who would work like a Trojan to get it fitting right, and forget to put the radio in!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Did you tighten the screws from the left dash pad to the upper dash pad? And, the screw from the upper pad support into the upper pad?
You might want to try loosening those up, and then use the method MrJlr mentioned. I recently installed a new console. At the rear of the console was a dimple where the hole was expected. I drilled the hole, and then used a screwdriver, while I pushed, and gently forced the console forward. Make sure the other components are not securely fastened, so that everything can shift slightly if it needs to.
You might want to try loosening those up, and then use the method MrJlr mentioned. I recently installed a new console. At the rear of the console was a dimple where the hole was expected. I drilled the hole, and then used a screwdriver, while I pushed, and gently forced the console forward. Make sure the other components are not securely fastened, so that everything can shift slightly if it needs to.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'm the vendor that called. 
When the consoles were available from GM we started using this method and yes we had the same problem when the parts were NOS.
If you put a cloth wrapped board behind the console and pry it forward using the parking brake handle bracket as leverage, it will push forward and fit just fine. I know it's scary but it works, and has done so for years without issue.
What is odd is that when you take it back apart in a few weeks, it will fall in place just like the original. I suppose it's the new on new thing but once installed this way it will look and it makes this a one man job.
Willcox
When the consoles were available from GM we started using this method and yes we had the same problem when the parts were NOS.
If you put a cloth wrapped board behind the console and pry it forward using the parking brake handle bracket as leverage, it will push forward and fit just fine. I know it's scary but it works, and has done so for years without issue.
What is odd is that when you take it back apart in a few weeks, it will fall in place just like the original. I suppose it's the new on new thing but once installed this way it will look and it makes this a one man job.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
My dash lights are from Inclusive Lighting.....I really like them. They are even nice and bright in the daytime and I can dim them or change colors with a remote....
Glad you got the dash back together!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
So, judging from this picture, I`m only going to want to put the console together once, right?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
