Center console project [Archive] - Dakota R/T Club Forum

DrewzR/T

10-28-2008, 09:21 PM

I installed the Hammer shifter on Sunday and just started on the center console today. I took the center console out and started looking at ways to incorporate the shifter in it all the while keeping a factory look.

So far Ive gutted the center section of the console out to set it over the top of the shifter and quickly realized the shifter needs to move forward and up.

I'm gonna move the shifter forward 3 inches (still reachable with my back against the seat) and raise it up 2 inches.

I'm havin 2 solid steel 2 inch spacers made to raise it up some. One for the front base and one for the back.

I have the spacers being made right now and a HD cable coming in tomorrow so I'll move the shifter to the final location and start mocking up the center console with wood. This is definitely in the early stages though.

Thoughts? Ideas? :D

SniperRT01

10-28-2008, 09:46 PM

cant wait to see the final product. Im tring to figure out how to do it in my 01. Looks like ill be asking you some questions.

DrewzR/T

10-28-2008, 09:58 PM

cant wait to see the final product. Im tring to figure out how to do it in my 01. Looks like ill be asking you some questions.

I thought about it for awhile which is why I just now put my shifter in. I wanted to use the stock console mainly because I havent seen anybody else use it or customize it.

I'll post plenty of pictures and measurements as I go.

brad99rt59

10-29-2008, 02:55 AM

have you thought of trying to use a console from the 5 speeds? Sont know if it would work, but with some fabbing it would look factory..

just a thought....

DrewzR/T

10-30-2008, 02:10 AM

have you thought of trying to use a console from the 5 speeds? Sont know if it would work, but with some fabbing it would look factory..

just a thought....

Nah its too late now. This ones already chopped up. I thought about it but Im gonna go the different route on this one.

DrewzR/T

10-30-2008, 02:16 AM

Got the HD cable installed and raised the shifter to where I need it.

Next is to get the base cut and mounted and ready to be molded in which will definitely be the hard part.

Adobedude

10-30-2008, 12:09 PM

Get some blocks of styrofoam, shape to fit, wrap it with fiberglass, bondo and sand till your blue in the face, pull out the styrofoam, glass in the fastening hardware etc...

Done....LOL

Special Ed's R/T - Yaaaay

10-30-2008, 05:05 PM

Nah its too late now. This ones already chopped up. I thought about it but Im gonna go the different route on this one.

Damn, I could've made a bracket for you that would've prevented hacking your stock console. Worked like a champ on mine. I wish I had checked this thread sooner. Keep up the good work though.

DrewzR/T

10-30-2008, 05:32 PM

Damn, I could've made a bracket for you that would've prevented hacking your stock console. Worked like a champ on mine. I wish I had checked this thread sooner. Keep up the good work though.
FOCKER!!!! haha jk Got any pics.

DrewzR/T

10-30-2008, 05:32 PM

Get some blocks of styrofoam, shape to fit, wrap it with fiberglass, bondo and sand till your blue in the face, pull out the styrofoam, glass in the fastening hardware etc...

Done....LOL

If only it were that easy haha

Special Ed's R/T - Yaaaay

10-30-2008, 05:58 PM

FOCKER!!!! haha jk Got any pics.

I'll get some. I used a different shifter, but I'd imagine things would be pretty darn close. You know that you can buy just the center section of that console, in case you have an issue.

DrewzR/T

02-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Completely different route this time ....:jester:

99 console. So far so good. I'll update this as I get further along.

Also just to note...the floor didnt change too much on the 01 + trucks. I need to notch the back out and then the 2 side peices and it should fit flush with the carpet.

DrewzR/T

02-19-2009, 08:20 PM

I finished up the bottom contour of the console so it sits flush with the floor and positioned where I want it.

Now I need to move the shifter itself to the right about 2 inches and back an inch so it'll sit in the middle of the console. I'm not using the gear selector so I'll make it symetrical and center the shifter and make a flat topped replacement peice for the shift boot to snap into.

I like the idea of being the only 01 and up with a custom 99 console .... more to come.

DrewzR/T

02-22-2009, 07:50 PM

Some updated pics with the foam shell good to go in the insert. It doesnt look all too appealing but when I wrap it in the cloth it'll look good.

grapejuice1998

02-22-2009, 09:18 PM

Are you going to glass it at all, or just wrap it as is?

DrewzR/T

02-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Are you going to glass it at all, or just wrap it as is?

Yeah I'm gonna glass it. I have to figure out what I'm gonna do with the shift boot though. I don't know if I wanna just have the boot attach to the console or mold in the B&M base that it snaps into.

grapejuice1998

02-23-2009, 12:55 AM

Yeah I'm gonna glass it. I have to figure out what I'm gonna do with the shift boot though. I don't know if I wanna just have the boot attach to the console or mold in the B&M base that it snaps into.

What boot is that? I like that better than what came with my Megashifter.

DrewzR/T

02-23-2009, 08:10 AM

Its the Hammer shifter.

Pete102580

02-24-2009, 03:10 AM

Yeah I'm gonna glass it. I have to figure out what I'm gonna do with the shift boot though. I don't know if I wanna just have the boot attach to the console or mold in the B&M base that it snaps into.

i think no matter how good your glassing skills are... a square base in a generally roundy console would look a little funny. i duno-- maybe it would look good?
pete

DrewzR/T

02-24-2009, 10:22 PM

i think no matter how good your glassing skills are... a square base in a generally roundy console would look a little funny. i duno-- maybe it would look good?
pete

Well I thought about having it round on top but I really did not like the bubble look that somebody posted on the other thread. It just didnt look right to me. To each his own i suppose. :biggthumpup:

DrewzR/T

02-28-2009, 03:29 PM

Picked up the fleece material and some epoxy resin as well. Its wrapped and ready to go. I'll post pics when its finished on Monday.:biggthumpup:

DrewzR/T

03-01-2009, 12:21 AM

a 6 pack later and she's almost ready for bondo!:D

ddrango

03-01-2009, 01:00 AM

Nice! What did you use? I know it's fiberglass, but did you use the fiberglass mat?

DrewzR/T

03-01-2009, 01:15 AM

Nice! What did you use? I know it's fiberglass, but did you use the fiberglass mat?

Yeah I used the mat. I pulled it all apart (kinda like shredded paper) and layed it on like that.

I still have to do one more layer but it should be ready for paint on monday. The O/D button will be on top along with the switches for the nitrous. Between those and the shifter on the angled peice where the other guys put a cup holder I'm gonna have a raised Mopar M and my paint guy is gonna airbrush blue lightning coming out of the letter. Should turn out pretty good.

ddrango

03-01-2009, 01:19 AM

Yeah I used the mat. I pulled it all apart (kinda like shredded paper) and layed it on like that.

I still have to do one more layer but it should be ready for paint on monday. The O/D button will be on top along with the switches for the nitrous. Between those and the shifter on the angled peice where the other guys put a cup holder I'm gonna have a raised Mopar M and my paint guy is gonna airbrush blue lightning coming out of the letter. Should turn out pretty good.

Damn! Sounds good! I'm going to attempt something like this with my 02' console.

DrewzR/T

03-01-2009, 02:28 AM

Damn! Sounds good! I'm going to attempt something like this with my 02' console.

Hopefully lol.

I started on my 03 console but the fitment wasnt right. The shifter needs to be raised about 2 inches so your hand doesnt hit the console when you put it in drive.

If you want my old one I started on lemme know. Pay the shipping and its yours. I was just gonna trash it anyhow.

ddrango

03-01-2009, 02:49 AM

Hopefully lol.

I started on my 03 console but the fitment wasnt right. The shifter needs to be raised about 2 inches so your hand doesnt hit the console when you put it in drive.

If you want my old one I started on lemme know. Pay the shipping and its yours. I was just gonna trash it anyhow.

Email me pics!! THanks!

DrewzR/T

03-01-2009, 02:54 AM

here ya go

ddrango

03-01-2009, 06:03 AM

here ya go

Thanks dude...don't junk it! I might need it one day...

DrewzR/T

03-05-2009, 09:47 PM

Heres a pic of it mocked up and fitted in its final resting place. The new carpet also came in today as well so hopefully I'll have the insert gettin painted this weekend.

I'm still trying to decide what i wanna do with all the open space. I might just do an old school R/T emblem but have the prange Grphite instead. Hell I dunno haha

grapejuice1998

03-06-2009, 12:13 AM

Badblkrt

03-06-2009, 12:17 AM

Nice work! You didn't want a cup holder? That would take up some space.

DrewzR/T

03-06-2009, 12:41 AM

Cool gauge pods! Did you make them?

Nope thats Rob's craftmanship.

Nice work! You didn't want a cup holder? That would take up some space.

Nah no cupholder. Figured since it isn't a DD anymore I could find another use for it. My OD button is goin in and I think I might put my nitrous gauges in here as well.

I just picked this up that'll be goin on as well. Probably below the switches.

http://www.24designs.net/images/newb%20006.jpg

DrewzR/T

03-07-2009, 04:44 PM

Here it is with the 2nd layer of bondo. I ended up fiberglassing in the base piece and made it flush with the insert.

DrewzR/T

03-08-2009, 09:08 PM

This is where I ended up this weekend. Hopefully I can get it finished soon. Show season's about to start :D

DrewzR/T

03-13-2009, 05:26 PM

Well it's finished on my end. It's gettin sent to pheonix imaging for some CF work and the door inserts are off to Darren.

I'll post pics with the new carpet, pedals, and all this shit installed after Im back from vacation. :biggthumpup:

sunike32

03-13-2009, 06:06 PM

Damn, looks like you did some nice work on that console. Good job buddy :woot:

littleblack360

03-13-2009, 09:02 PM

that looks very clean!

it will look very good inside your truck!

DrewzR/T

03-13-2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks fellas. :biggthumpup:

dakotabluert98

03-18-2009, 06:23 PM

Nope thats Rob's craftmanship.

Nah no cupholder. Figured since it isn't a DD anymore I could find another use for it. My OD button is goin in and I think I might put my nitrous gauges in here as well.

I just picked this up that'll be goin on as well. Probably below the switches.

http://www.24designs.net/images/newb%20006.jpg

im thinking of buying that type of badge for my steering wheel, gonna get the ram head in silver with the black back and cover the stock ram head. should go good with my silver and black interior.

ddrango

03-30-2009, 10:20 PM

im thinking of buying that type of badge for my steering wheel, gonna get the ram head in silver with the black back and cover the stock ram head. should go good with my silver and black interior.

Where you getting it??