I am trying to replace my center console in a 69 with a new one.Is there any tip or tricks to getting the screw holes to line up ? It needs to go forward and up a a lot more than I can move it. It seems like I have to jack the dash up about 1 1/2 to even get the front holes close.

 

did you remove the center gauge plate on the crash pad first ? If not do so. After removing the gauge plate and loosening the shifter plate carefully lift & turn it side ways remove all other screws. Slide the SP through the console and replace the new CC in the same mannerism then slide the 2 guage plate studs down into the console screw the sides of the guage plate in. slide the CC in place screw it off. Stick ur hand up through the shifter plate hole to put the 2 nuts on the 2 threaded studs at the bottom of the guage plate. Screw down the rest of the console & shifter plate capital DUN owe by loosing the parking brake console 1st iseasy as soyou dont have to side forwards then back.

 

Just re-installing my factory original center console (gear shifter console) into its position where it bolts to the gauge bezel was difficult enough. I had previously removed all the interior pieces in the car, and hence lost all of the alignments of all the factory installed pieces.

First of all, have you fit/mated the center shifter console to the e-brake console? On my re-install, at this juncture, the front of my center shift was too high in the air to fit under the gauge bezel. I put a lever under the bottom of the radio, and lifted the radio and entire guage bezel up into the air. I probably only had to lift it 3/4 of an inch. When lifting the bezel up, the bezel was not attached to the drivers or passengers side vertical dash pieces.

To tighted the nuts to the studs protruding from the bottom of the guage bezel...I installed nylon lock nuts on the studs...this was with the center shifter console out of the way. I installed the lock nuts so that they were perhaps 1/4 inch below the bottom of the bezel. When I installed the center shifter console, I just slid it into position...this was with the radio still levered up. Then I released the radio and the bezel dropped down and everything was clamped into place.

About your "new" center shifter console. I bet it's a repro. Repro stuff often looks really beautiful when you first lift it out of the shipping container, but the joy is shortlived when you realize it doesn't fit well.
Hopefully if you have a basic fit problem, there will be some sort of a work around to make it fit.

 

Thanks guys. Yes the console is a replacement and it does not fit properly.You would think they would fit better for what their asking for them.I'll try to jack up the gauge panel some more as the two front screws are still 1 in below the attachment points. If not out comes the drill

 

no drill if its a aftermarket console like mine the 2 guage bezel lower studs just have to go through the holes and your basicly in i.If you want you take a dremel or snips and cut the holes in the center into a slot Ilike leaving the holes .Just pop the stud through them ans forhet the nuts it will hold in place.

 

yeah I played heck learning when I replaced mine as well.
Best thing is to be calm....look that assembly manual over a lot a take it slow.
Holes might not always align up perfect but thats why they call it aftermarket.

 

Thanks for the reassurance guys.I wasn't very clear though.The two studs below the gauge panel are in just fine. It's the two front side screws that are about an inch too low.If I hold up the small front side panels in the proper position under the dash they both line up perfectly with the front side screws. The screws first go through the small side panels , then the console itself and into the nuts on the car. The molded holes in the console just look like they were placed 11/2 too low. I'll try again, then out comes the drill.

 

oops, wrong post...