Gauging Interest: E46 console retrofit service

[E30Nova]

I just cut a .5"-1" piece out of the ebrake handle. The button just unscrews. Then you can cut the handle an the rod inside it. After that I rethreaded the rod and the button screws back on. I still have to weld the handle back together, but it works perfectly.

I JB Welded it to test it and it actually held up to me really ripping up the handle, but for peace of mind I'm going to weld it.

[glucklich21]

See post here: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showpos...8&postcount=20

Then....

Yay for a crappy camera!







So here's what I have so far. It isn't actually mounted perse, but it's pretty much where it would be. Only reason it's like that is I'm in a delima. There's 3 ways I can go about fixing it.







The emergency brake release button is a little close to the console. Possible solutions:


1. Chop off about .5 in from the front of the E46 console to clear the emergency brake
-Disadvantages:E46 console would require repainting and plastic dip doesn't come in tan if it were to be a tan or even a grey one.

2. Trim the rear of the E30 console about .5 in.
-Disadvantages: May look weird, gotta play with photoshop a bit

3. Cut a slot into the E30 console that the front of the E46 console slides into.
-Disadvantages: may look weird and a little bit more fiberglassing work for me

4. Somehow shorten the emergency brake
-Disadvantages: Dunno how it's done and it may affect function.

The mounts*:

The idea with it being mounted in the car is to use the factory studs so no holes will need to be drilled. I still have to do some testing to see if they will actually be enough. If not, you can always drill some holes.....

*Missing the side support bar as my tools crapped out and I don't a replacement that can cut aluminum. ;)









The cardboard's replacement:

[quikveedb2]

Interested in seeing the finished product.

[glucklich21]

Well yes, but it's more fun to keep you waiting. Also I wanted to see if it was even worth the trouble trying to simplify it and no one would want it.

[rhett325i]

Interested in seeing the finished product. You probably should have waited to start this thread until you had one done.

[erik325i]

Interested in seeing final pics.

[SeriousBusiness]

Wow I didn't think that many would be interested. I'm assuming a good bit of you want kits?

Turn around time from me recieving your consoles and me shipping them back to you would range between 2-3 weeks depending upon my school and work schedule.

No, you will be doing the work on mine. I have no desire to fab stuff in 100+ degree heat LOL. Pending pics of course. ;)

[Van Westervelt]

maybe...

[xwill112x]

more pics needed. im intrested.

[glucklich21]

Wow I didn't think that many would be interested. I'm assuming a good bit of you want kits?

Turn around time from me recieving your consoles and me shipping them back to you would range between 2-3 weeks depending upon my school and work schedule.

[YetiX]

Definitely interested in cup holders, shoving shit between the center console and the passenger seat is getting older than my car.

[StereoInstaller1]

I seen the stuff in a can - and I would love, love, love to learn more about it - that would be helpful for a project I'm working on.

But also I don't know how a can would replicate the grain of fake leather.

If that were the goal, simply wrap the part in "fake leather", right? Good "3 way stretch" is out there in several different patterns.

I would just hate to do that to someone else car. That goddamn much work is gonna happen in MY goddamn car!

[SoEm0]

hell yeah i would be interested as well. it would make a fine match for the e46 window switches i want to use

[CDBE30]

Definitely will be a paying customer if you offer this as a service. Pending pictures of finished product, of course.

[joshuafr]

^^^He said 2 weeks before