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Center Consol Options

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Dadandson

Dadandson

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Installed the center consol in my 74 and the darn thing does not fit properly because the new radio is a little longer than stock. My other issue is that the corner of this thing pokes me on my right knee! I would like to remove it so I am looking for alternatives. I really want to keep the radio but I don't need the lighter, flashers etc. I know that the members here are very clever so I turn to you.
 
do you have pictures?
 
You get used to the knee bump, but when I redo my midget I'm going to eliminate the stock console and fit a simple box console under the dash.

Currently, I moved my stock console out (for stereo clearance) by fitting a 3/8" piece of plywood behind the center panel.
 
This is current. The lower left corner jabs me in the knee. Okay for short rides, very uncomfortable for longer rides.
 

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You can't get rid of the lighter... where would you hang your pine tree air freshener? :wink:
 
Hey now. That air freshener was a gift from my son. He said it matches the paint!
 
Yes! Yes! A simple box consol. Is there an off the shelf that will work? The radio must stay low on the hump or else I will hit my knuckles when I use 1st and 3rd.
 
You can take a 3/4" thick piece of plastic, preferably black, and make a shim for the radio. Inside rectangle the size of the radio and outside 1/2" bigger on all sides. Drill and tap holes in the back to secure it to the console from "inside" the console. The biggest problem is that you need to be in 2nd or 4th to get a CD out. As for banging your knuckles, you can always cut down the shifter and inch or so.
 
Just researching ideas I came across this thread. I was also annoyed by the center console on my old 1500. My current '63 MK1 Midget doesn't have one and I don't want to dash mount it so I'm thinking a simple box to hold it. Maybe suspended under the dash. Today I was thinking of what box I could use, always looking for the easy way out I thought about an old cigar box, the dimensions vary greatly but they're everywhere and cheap so that's what I'm pursuing now pending a better idea. I'd probably cover it in black vinyl, leave it open at the back, top or bottom for air flow, only the front and sides show really anyway. Maybe even mount an interior light of some sort underneath as a floor light.
 
I hung a radio under the passanger dash out of sight back in the day.
 
I don't want it too far out of reach so it will have to show a bit.
 
Make sure you waterproof the top.
Don't ask me how I know...
 
You mean your firewall is not water proof. LOL

You would be susprised what you can hid up in there I had a radio, an 8 track tape player and a CB. Had to look real hard to find it.
 
I had to reform the original for some radio clearance issues due to my V6 conversion. I used 20 gauge sheet and set the radio in at about a 40 degree angle. The console still hits my leg a bit, but it's not a problem for me even on rather long trips of several hundered miles, guess I'm used to it now. The shape of the new console is a bit more leg friendly than the old one. There's a pretty good shot of my console in the British V8 Newsletter coverage. https://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillYoung.htm Sorry it's all in black so it doesn't show up too well.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]You mean your firewall is not water proof. LOL[/QUOTE]

I've been told it may be the windshield wiper mounting holes.
I need to take them off and weatherproof them. Don't want to do it when it is raining, can't seem to remember it when it isn't raining. :wink:
 
After separating my knee cap a few times, I chunked my console and relocated my hazard switch to my steering column surround. On the later cars there's a switch blank. I had to get a bit creative to get the switch to fit and ended up combining my stock switch with a generic rocker switch. This is probably way too DPO for most of you guys. But the location is perfect and after my mods, my blinkers and flashers work much, much better.

As for my radio, it is eventually my intention to source a very small amp that I can plug an iPod or XM into then make a custom non knee interfering console. Okay, truth be told, I plan to make a small on board PC... but I won't trouble you with my own demented tech fantasies.

Regardless, back in the day you could buy small amps (roughly 1"X4"X6")with volume knobs at Radio Shack and the like. Perhaps such a thing is still available.
 
Morris with the presence of so many digital music players there are now quite a few options available in the area of 12 vdc amps that take input from these things.

Ebay is your friend
 
Morris said:
Okay, truth be told, I plan to make a small on board PC... but I won't trouble you with my own demented tech fantasies.
Click to expand...

Cool. When these first came out I remember seeing lots of stories of people putting them in cars.
 
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