Hey guys, im done with carpet, and trying to install the forward console, and it's nowhere close to lining up with the parking brake little slotted vinyl inserts, like it's off ALOT, maybe an inch to short, the console would have to slide back about an inch to line up correctly and obviously that isn't the case.

The front is up against the radio, and the little corner trim pieces go in smoothly and all the lines match up. However the screw holes aren't even close... the original owner didn't have screws in them and just used the brake console piece to hold it in place.

The brake bracket bolts have not been moved, there are no previous lines in the paint indicating the bolts were moved, and I don't see any possible way to get this much play with the two little cross brackets the side bolts mount to.

Also just found out researching other threads: now I understand what the missing inserts are for at the forward upper of the console, apparently im missing the reinforcement bracket that ties the whole front end together.... also explains the zip-ties he used to keep the front part tight to the tunnel.

 

The forward console is too far forward? That's a new one, usually they end up too far to the rear.

Is it a reproduction console?

Do the other two screws (the ones lower and away from the front) of the parking brake console line up?
M

 

it doesn't seem to be aftermarket, it's very old, foam under vinyl outer covering like the factory I think is correct? Ima drive down to the shop and get more pictures, I thought I had pictures of this but I guess I didn't save them.

 

Start aft and work forward with first installing the emergency brake console then install the center console, then check fitment under the gauge cluster bezel. You may have to unload the tension on the gauge bezel by removing the radio. I would loose fit all the screws and the brake console bolt (bolt #4 in your diagram located in the center baggage compartment) until you have everything lined up.

Regards,
Tom

 

ok... moose you solved one problem for me and created another

while messing around with things, I noticed the lower dash was moving some but only backwards, start poking around and found that the screws were BEHIND the speed nuts instead of in them, so after moving them the dash and console are where they need to be now!!!! TYVM!!!

However: now the rear e-brake console has no chance in hell of fitting, BUT it's aftermarket, and fairly recently at that. It was tight enough that it shoved the forward console into the radio and lower dash BEFORE adjusting the lower dash 3/4 of an inch towards the rear... now there is no way it's going to go... soooooo now I need some new ideas.


RE Tom: hmmm makes me wonder if the wonderful "Corvette Aftermarket Radio" isn't putting the instrument cluster in a bind, it's hitting the tranny tunnel as it sits right now.

Well no... it cant be that, because it wouldn't line up with the mounting points by the e-brake if I move it forward to make room for the e-brake cover, honestly im thinking about taking it to the machine shop and buzz off 1/2... or more... of the rear of the console with the big belt sander, plus that way I can keep the angle of the back exact.

Is the e-brake cover supposed to match the forward console? IE: fiberglass then foam then vinyl leather?

 

this makes me leery of the dash... im afraid im going to have to get into it because obviously someone else has been... im having visions of when I had to replace my heater core in my foxbody mustang...no... visions isn't the correct word... nightmares... yes that's the one.

 

yeah this is just a crappy thin all black plastic, poor leather design too...

 

OK so that's more of what you hear (console too far back)
As Tom69 says, start at the parking brake console and work forward.
Not that it can't be but most of the repro consoles are at least the correct length, make sure there's no insulation or sound deadener behind the carpet where the console hits the wall at the back.
Usually the console not fitting is related to the dash being low (drooping). There is a small tin bracket off to the passsenger side but other than that all of the weight of the dash, left and right lower dashes, center gauge cluster etc is mostly supported by the bracket at the front of the shift console. This also drives the radio into the tunnel and puts a lot of pressure on the center gauge cluster
Try carefully lifting the center of the dash pad up and that should bring the gauge cluster with it and allow the shift console to get under it. Or loosen and move the center cluster out of the way, install the shift console and then use the gauge cluster to lift the dash. careful, not sure of the year of your car but those metal gauge clusters only come in two versions.... broken or about to be broken
M

 

My money says the aftermarket radio could be causing the misalignment. It should not be hitting the tranny tunnel.

 

Yeahhhh... this is prolly my fault, cuz i do have a heavy layer of dynamat, reflectrix AND carpet behind the console... the would deff be 1/2" worth of stuff.

 

Every little bit helps, lucky it's kind of easy to get at that to trim a little but the dynamat , utility knife and a pair of pliers
M

 

pfffft… wire wheel and a grinder... and a face shield

 

well if I had posted pictures you guys would have caught this for me... I thought it was factory till I really started looking at the back of the consol... and saw there was no support in the fiberglass... idiot just drilled a new screw hole in plain sight... so the whole time I was looking for a mount that never existed...

 

after changing things around this knowledge... everything fits like a glove now... and I didn't have to trim any sound damper or reflectrix ^.^

 

So which hole did you end up using? Does look like an original console)
M

 

Found a mint NOS one, ordered it last night, this one was cracked on all sides and mounting points, so figured I'd just replace it, wouldn't be able to cover the holes, even if the seats did, id still now it was there.