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Hi everyone. Does anyone have any tips for getting the shifter console to sit closer to the bottom of the radio? I tried to reinstall a new shifter console plate and trim plate and of course none of the holes line up and the space is so small to work in that I'm having a hard time getting the nuts on the two bolts coming down from the radio. I'm pretty sure if I can get those nuts on the two radio bolts, the console will get pulled up and eliminate that gap in my picture. Would removing the heater control assembly make this easier? I'm slightly scared of doing that since I'm relatively new to the car restoration game...but if that's what it takes I'll do my best. Thanks for all the help.
The general workaround to getting those two nuts onto the studs is to use a 'coupling' with the same thread size. It looks like this and gives you a little more room to work with
And yes you want to lift out the console plate to get your hands in there.
The bracket inside the trans console is slotted so that the nuts can be placed on the end of those two studs BEFORE installing the console. Then, when properly aligned/engaged, the nuts can be tightened (just snuggly!!) with a 1/4" rachet wrench & socket via the front access panels.
I have A/C. If you just 'loosen' or 'tighten' the nuts with the trans tunnel installed, it's no a big deal. If you try to install the nuts with the tunnel in place.....not so much---
Fixing center shifter console
