FLUSH Center Console Development
07-18-2010, 02:49 PM
#16
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Thread Starter
These last three pictures from this morning show that I have removed the form from the base and milled the ends of the cross bars. One of them shows the underside of the form just in case you are curious about what that looks like.
The last picture shows the prototype trim piece from the other thread pressed down onto this new form just to so show how different the new trim piece is going to be. You can also tell how far off it was from working for the auto shifter.
Jerry
The last picture shows the prototype trim piece from the other thread pressed down onto this new form just to so show how different the new trim piece is going to be. You can also tell how far off it was from working for the auto shifter.
Jerry
07-18-2010, 07:06 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
OK! I seem to be getting better at this. I just lookled at the time when I came in from my last go around and saw that I have made about 75 to 80 percent of the second form in about two and a half hours. Here is a picture of it.
With a little more time on this one and then on both of them to do some detailing I will be ready to form plastic with them. I still need to make some forms for the female side of this process, but I don't think that will take too long.
I hope by next weekend I can be building the form and machine for the upper insert, then we can see what this system is going to look like.
In the picture you might notice a drop or two of sweat, but I have wiped the blood off before I took the picture. (If you think that is funny, you ought to look at my hands!)
Jerry
With a little more time on this one and then on both of them to do some detailing I will be ready to form plastic with them. I still need to make some forms for the female side of this process, but I don't think that will take too long.
I hope by next weekend I can be building the form and machine for the upper insert, then we can see what this system is going to look like.
In the picture you might notice a drop or two of sweat, but I have wiped the blood off before I took the picture. (If you think that is funny, you ought to look at my hands!)
Jerry
07-19-2010, 10:36 AM
#19
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Jerry - Awesome work!
I haven't been following this thread until now and, like all, have my oppinion. That being - Is the clock REALLY that important to be in the console? Most all Stereo heads display the time too so it kind of seems repeticious. I elimintated the clock to allow me to fit my double din unit in MY85. THough functional - not nearly as nice as your unit will end up being.
Frank
I haven't been following this thread until now and, like all, have my oppinion. That being - Is the clock REALLY that important to be in the console? Most all Stereo heads display the time too so it kind of seems repeticious. I elimintated the clock to allow me to fit my double din unit in MY85. THough functional - not nearly as nice as your unit will end up being.
Frank
07-19-2010, 02:01 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
Jerry, looks good and things are starting to shape up quickly. Judging from your automatic version, am I to assume there is NO space for a clock? (I'm OK with that with a double-din unit fitted) Also, I have one of the sport shifters with the draped leather shift cover (you know, it looks like one of those slower 5-spds) will your design accommodate those updated shifter handles?
07-19-2010, 03:38 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
One problem that is nagging at me in the back of my mind is that when I measured Tom's 5-speed shifter I am not too sure which version it was. He had one or two other shifters there, but we did not try to interchange them to see how the shifter orbit for each of them compared with the one I measured. Intuitively I am thinking that the shifter orbit at about the flush level of the console is essentielly the same for all the shifter versions. Problem is my intuition is sometimes wrong.
I have allowed for the shifter orbit that I measured and for about a half inch all around, for good measure, for shifter boot mounting, and for esthetics, but if one or the other of the shifter versions has a much greater throw of the shifter handle, I may be in trouble.
As to the shifter handle, I can't see why the handle itself will make any difference. It might be that the base of the handle where the top of the shifter boot connects is different for some of them, and if I make only one version of the shifter boot for the 5 speeds, something will have to give. On the other hand, I suspect that the base of the handes are all pretty similar in size. If not, one approach is to mandate a certain shifter handle with this conversion or to simply make different versions of the boot.
As to the clock, I have lost my emphasis on the clock. I think the smaller version of the Infiniti clock will work on the trim piece for the auto cars, and maybe even right in front of the shifter, although that location is going to be very tight. However, for my own purposes I intend to put either version of the Infiniti clock to the right of the shifter and, on those of my cars with rear AC, I'll put the two AC controls just below it in line on the right side of this trim piece.
On the left of the shifter I am still thinking of some little lights to show the shifter position and on the left of the upper, former clock panel, I might put a power outlet or something else. In the new larger rear area of either of these new trim pieces I don't know what I might put there, if anything. Maybe that's a better place for the power outlet.
Thanks for your interest and for your questions. It always helps me to generate more thought about this project.
Jerry Feather
I have allowed for the shifter orbit that I measured and for about a half inch all around, for good measure, for shifter boot mounting, and for esthetics, but if one or the other of the shifter versions has a much greater throw of the shifter handle, I may be in trouble.
As to the shifter handle, I can't see why the handle itself will make any difference. It might be that the base of the handle where the top of the shifter boot connects is different for some of them, and if I make only one version of the shifter boot for the 5 speeds, something will have to give. On the other hand, I suspect that the base of the handes are all pretty similar in size. If not, one approach is to mandate a certain shifter handle with this conversion or to simply make different versions of the boot.
As to the clock, I have lost my emphasis on the clock. I think the smaller version of the Infiniti clock will work on the trim piece for the auto cars, and maybe even right in front of the shifter, although that location is going to be very tight. However, for my own purposes I intend to put either version of the Infiniti clock to the right of the shifter and, on those of my cars with rear AC, I'll put the two AC controls just below it in line on the right side of this trim piece.
On the left of the shifter I am still thinking of some little lights to show the shifter position and on the left of the upper, former clock panel, I might put a power outlet or something else. In the new larger rear area of either of these new trim pieces I don't know what I might put there, if anything. Maybe that's a better place for the power outlet.
Thanks for your interest and for your questions. It always helps me to generate more thought about this project.
Jerry Feather
07-20-2010, 10:52 AM
#22
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Thread Starter
Last night I got the two inner longitudinal bars fastened in to the foreward cross former bar and then when I milled out the shifter recess I discovered that I had Put the two foreward bolts in the wrong place. That made me make a whole new front cross bar and redrill the holes so that I can get the shifter opening as far foreward as I want. Even then, I didn't move the holes as far as I could have and am still about an eighth of an inch short of where I said I was going with the opening. I guess we will see if that is going to be enough.
Next I have to take this form off the mill table and off the base plate and then mount the mill vise on the table and mill off the ends of the cross bars flush with the side bars. After that I will be able to do the final finishing of both forms at the same time.
I am also working of the method of forming the upper forming devise that will be pushing the plastic down into this fairly deep concave curvature. The plastic will not pull down in ther fully when it is formed and must be pushed in that area to form properly. You would think it would, but it wont. That is the last major form item to make. There are two minor items to make for forming however and those are the two forms to push the shifter recess into the openings I have made for them They will simply be cut out of about 3/16 inch plate and shaped for the opening recess. I'll also have to make some cross bars to mount these items to the machine. When all of that is done I'll be forming some plastic and see how they come out.
I am also starting to do the design of the form for the upper flush insert. I have been studying the air vent grill and think that I am going to trim off about 3/16 of an inch from each end so that the ends will match the top and bottom edges. That will also give us some more area of the insert to be revealed for a nicer look, I think.
At the bottom of the upper insert I'll be putting the HVAC and AC/lock panels, just like Kieth did. In between is where the double DIN unit will go. There is going to be a little relief between the units in this panel; but even at that, it occurs to me that after this insert is formed and then cut out for these items there is not going to be much left of it. That is, however just the nature of it.
More thoughts later.
Jerry
Next I have to take this form off the mill table and off the base plate and then mount the mill vise on the table and mill off the ends of the cross bars flush with the side bars. After that I will be able to do the final finishing of both forms at the same time.
I am also working of the method of forming the upper forming devise that will be pushing the plastic down into this fairly deep concave curvature. The plastic will not pull down in ther fully when it is formed and must be pushed in that area to form properly. You would think it would, but it wont. That is the last major form item to make. There are two minor items to make for forming however and those are the two forms to push the shifter recess into the openings I have made for them They will simply be cut out of about 3/16 inch plate and shaped for the opening recess. I'll also have to make some cross bars to mount these items to the machine. When all of that is done I'll be forming some plastic and see how they come out.
I am also starting to do the design of the form for the upper flush insert. I have been studying the air vent grill and think that I am going to trim off about 3/16 of an inch from each end so that the ends will match the top and bottom edges. That will also give us some more area of the insert to be revealed for a nicer look, I think.
At the bottom of the upper insert I'll be putting the HVAC and AC/lock panels, just like Kieth did. In between is where the double DIN unit will go. There is going to be a little relief between the units in this panel; but even at that, it occurs to me that after this insert is formed and then cut out for these items there is not going to be much left of it. That is, however just the nature of it.
More thoughts later.
Jerry
07-20-2010, 11:41 AM
#24
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Thread Starter
Hi JP. As close as you are I can envision you making a trip over the mountain with you 5 speed so that it might become a test case for that version of this conversion. Start looking for a Pioneer AVIC double DIN navigation unit of late/recent manufacture that you might like to put in your 928. I have been buying some of them on eBay and have one that is the AVIC-X910BT, one AVIC-X920BT, and one AVIC-Z3. If you get something like one of these that will be the simplist since that is what I am going to design around.
Jerry
Jerry
07-20-2010, 02:40 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
Hi Jerry. I could be wrong but I think you may have misunderstood my earlier question. I have an automatic with the "Sport shifter" as is sold by Paul Champagne and formerly by 928 Motorsports that was made in Australia. The handle is irrellevent as nothing has functionally changed there. However the draped leather below it has a frame at the base that mimics the appearance of a 5-speed shifter and covers the console portion that shows the P R D 1 2 and the accordian-fold plastic. Is there any provision to accommodate this stylish update in your plans?
07-20-2010, 06:49 PM
#27
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Thread Starter
Hi Paul. Thanks for that explaination. I almost understood that that was what you were saying, but not quite. Now that I have a clear understanding of what you are asking, the answer is NO!
I think that the kind of shifter boot that you are talking about was intended to do just what you suggest., and that is to emulate the 5 speed shifter. However, in order to do that in the context of the lower trim piece that is original it has to be way bigger than it needs to be to be a boot for the shifter. In order to make this lower trim piece flush like the upper part of the console I am eliminating the "hole" that the base of your boot fits in. The base of my new boot for the Auto shifter will be much smaller and will also be a nice stylish update for the auto cars. By reducing the size of the base of the boot I am going to be leaving a lot of blank space in this new trim piece for other things, or just "flushness." There wont be a need of such a big base to the boot, but there will be a need for a new boot, which I will expect to provide with the flush conversion system.
I hope that answers your question.
Jerry Feather
I think that the kind of shifter boot that you are talking about was intended to do just what you suggest., and that is to emulate the 5 speed shifter. However, in order to do that in the context of the lower trim piece that is original it has to be way bigger than it needs to be to be a boot for the shifter. In order to make this lower trim piece flush like the upper part of the console I am eliminating the "hole" that the base of your boot fits in. The base of my new boot for the Auto shifter will be much smaller and will also be a nice stylish update for the auto cars. By reducing the size of the base of the boot I am going to be leaving a lot of blank space in this new trim piece for other things, or just "flushness." There wont be a need of such a big base to the boot, but there will be a need for a new boot, which I will expect to provide with the flush conversion system.
I hope that answers your question.
Jerry Feather
07-20-2010, 06:52 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
P.S. Likewise for the 5 speed shifters. The base of the shifter boot will also be much smaller than the ones they have now, but a significantly different shape, because the shifter orbit is much different. JF
07-20-2010, 06:57 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
P.P.S. Paul, go back to post number 16 and look at the first picture. The opening in approximately the middle of the form I made is the shape of the base of the shifter boot for the auto cars. The space around it is going to be flush with the upper edge of the center console. The area for the shifter boot is going to be recessed about 3/8 inch and in that I will put a ring or form that will hold the base of the new boot. The upper end of the boot will of course be fixed to the shifter handle. JF
07-20-2010, 09:36 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
Jerry, Thanks for your reply. 
HOWEVER, couldn't the same (or similar) pattern used for the 5-speed be adapted (and/or the leather boot modified) to fit in the space you have allocated? I am a serious candidate for your program because I will go dbl-DIN display (radio/cd/gps, etc) and would enjoy the "flush look" you are working on. Just wondering.
HOWEVER, couldn't the same (or similar) pattern used for the 5-speed be adapted (and/or the leather boot modified) to fit in the space you have allocated? I am a serious candidate for your program because I will go dbl-DIN display (radio/cd/gps, etc) and would enjoy the "flush look" you are working on. Just wondering.