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I just acquired a 1981 and the shift console is really worn and the heater bezel looks terrible. I'd like to replace the shifter console (only, not the gauge cluster which looks great). How do i replace the shift console top and heater bezel? I have new ones.?
Also I notice the carpeted side panels to the shifter console don't line up nice and tight to the top of the console as shown below. How is this fixed? Thanks. Steve
The easiest way to do this is to first remove both front seats. the driver's side has 4 studs that go through the floor and you remove the 4 nuts front under the car. The passenger seat is bolted in by 4 bolts that come though the tops of the seat tracks into the floor. Both seats are very light and easy to remove.
The remove the carpeted side pieces. 3 screws on each side. after that there are 8 bolts that retain the console top. two on each side, two on the front going up into the gauge panel, and two on the rear going into the ebrake console. Unscrew the shift button and then shift ball, lift the console panel up and unhook whatever connections you have for switches and unbolt the hvac control. Reverse to install
for the side panels, I don't have the fiber board backings anymore, they never fit correctly. I had better luck just screwing the pieces of carpet back on by themselves and tucking the edges up into the shift console and ebrake console.
I just acquired a 1981 and the shift console is really worn and the heater bezel looks terrible. I'd like to replace the shifter console (only, not the gauge cluster which looks great). How do i replace the shift console top and heater bezel? I have new ones.?
Also I notice the carpeted side panels to the shifter console don't line up nice and tight to the top of the console as shown below. How is this fixed? Thanks. Steve
You can replace the shifter plate. As for the side pieces, i took mine and wrapped with some vinyl. Looks so much better. Some guys trace out the panels and cut new out of plywood or osb and recarpet.
The leather side panels are correct for 1979 from Corvette America, it doesn't look like it in the picture because the light is causing a glare but the color is a perfect match along with the fit. Originally the car has the carpet side panels but I like these a lot better.
since no one has really answered your question it is not too hard. as suggested, it is wasier if you take the seats out so you can better accees some screws.
the sides are pretty straight forward, just some screws on the sides 3-4 on each side.
the console has screws holding it to the ebrake cover. these can be tricky so its a good idea to remove seats. at the gauges it is also connected. and on the sides, i dont remember if its 2 or 1 on each side, but its held down as well.
on the bottom side almost everything is screwed into the plastic console.
once u remove the console screws youll be able to flip it over a bit to see the bottomside.
youll need to unscrew the heat/ac controls so you can leave the mechanism and cables intact i think its 3-4 screws.
the other things can be unplugged and pulled out with the concole plate. window switces, defrost. boot. cig lighter. n door.
Once its out you can transfer all the pieces over. the door has pins you drive the centers out to loosen them and a spring.
install is reverse. make sure the auto gear selector thingy drops into the shifter slot so it displays properly.,
you can see the orientaion of the ac control screws here.
Also I had to remove all the screws around the center gauge cluster to loosen it, otherwise I couldn’t get the center console out......btw I agree it is easier with the seats out but not absolutely necessary, I didn’t take out the seats when I did this job.
There is a little 'adjustment' when you install the console sides, at least enough to tuck the upper edge into the grove in the shifter plate and e-brake cover.
From: South of Phoenix Arizona, but North of no-where.
Great explanations! I'm just in the process now of putting my 81 consol back together. Had to remove it to replace the shifter boot, the drive indicator, and the plastic bezel at the same time. The only suggestions I have is really laying out the different screws and then trying each one before reassembly. On mine, a couple were boogered up, and the 3 in the heater bezel were wrong. They used hex head instead of tapered (at some time before) but I suspect they did that so they could tighten them with a 1/4 " open-end instead of a phillips. It also helped to remove the steering wheel and get good cushions to kneel on.
BTW, I love the idea of replacing the carpet side panels with vinyl, specially since mine are black. That way, it will not be so difficult to remove and install the rugs again, and again, and again!
1981 Shift Console and Sides
