This is just an idea in the early phase, so don't get all mad if I don't go through with it. Would there be any interest if I made replacement pieces for the center console skeleton out of metal? I thought about doing the whole thing, but that's just way too much work. I thought about making replacement pieces for the areas that normally break, like where the ash tray lights are and the screw holes for the shifter trim piece. I could make the replacement piece and have it screw or bolt in.
What do you guys think? If the ideas are stupid, hey at least I'm trying to help the community. If you have any other things you would like made out of metal like me know (smaller things please...)
Thanks
Matt

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 08-20-2010).]

There was a lot of interest for aluminum console skeletons. I have a guy here who has jigs and fixtures already made up for the weak points like you described. Someday we might be able to get him to dig the jigs out and make some, but so far he has not made any progress.

quote Originally posted by Mike Gonzalez: There was a lot of interest for aluminum console skeletons. I have a guy here who has jigs and fixtures already made up for the weak points like you described. Someday we might be able to get him to dig the jigs out and make some, but so far he has not made any progress.

I read about that, I thought it died off a while ago. If that person is no longer interested, maybe he can sell the jigs?
He has the funds and material to make jigs for the whole thing, I really can't make the whole thing right now. If I had those jigs, maybe.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 04-01-2010).]

He keeps saying he is going to get it going again, also has low profile headlight bucket jigs. He has had a job change and other priorities I guess. I think he is getting settled in again, but I'm not holding my breath he will make any. I was supposed to do all the cutouts on my CNC mill and the give them bact to him ti finish on his jigs. If you have access to tooling to make them I think they would sell. Another thing we were going to do was a stereo/hvac swap panel for the stereo console.

I'm sure that if someone could provide either reinforcement sections or complete replacement skeletons that they would sell. The plastic isn't getting any younger.

I hope you do make these.

Nolan

Currently working on replacing the plastic console skeleton. See photos, will send more as I progress.
http://www.facebook.com/alb...4472295&l=1dc1f3991b

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"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light."

Could you post the pictures from the original post with PIP or something? The ones on photobucket are apparently gone now.

Bump, was thinking about this idea again. Right now, i can't weld aluminum, but i can make one (or try) out of steel.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 08-20-2010).]