So now that my PS hose adventure is a wrap, I need to go back and revisit my previous work, namely the center console. I previously replaced the dash, pod and center console with leather ones, and I have come to believe that the dash and pod were not stock. The console, which came from a different source, I suspect IS stock, although I don't know that for sure. At any rate, my initial attempt to fit things into it (e.g. stereo, HVAC stuff, ash tray) didn't go well. With some effort, I did manage to get the surround for the manual shifter into place, but nothign else seems to fit right. That H trim piece isn't even in the car, as I'm pretty sure forcing it would have broken it.

My question is: Are there different versions of the center console that would cause these items to fit differently?

I believe there was one obvious change in design but this...and my original...are the older style, so it's not that. Visually, they look the same to me. So I guess I'm trying to determine if the leather versions (or versions of different years within that "older" style) had different fitment issues, different required trim pieces, etc.

 

Please post of Pic of what you have and are working with, that will help.

 

There are at least three different versions of the 928 center console. The earlier ones, thru 89 for the non air bag cars are in at least two versions and possibly three. Then the later air bag version is different. I think the early versions are all the same on the oustside, but different in their inner side configuration. At least I have not found any difference in them outwardly. Inwardly the differences have not mattered much to me since in my Flush Center Console Conversion I pretty well take the insides mostly out.

As to the center consoles that are leather covered, except for some relief cut in them for the leather around the trailing end where the four switches are, I don't think much relief was provided for. That means, I think, that under the leather you are going to find an original cast vinyl console, so the leather is taking up some of the rooom for the center components to fit in. That may be what is causing you some fit problems. I don't know how the factory allowed for the thickness of the leather in the central area except for where the swithces are. It might be that they cut down the shifter surround and maybe the other things.

You should also be aware that even though they used cast vinlyl consoles for the ones they covered with leather, these were also ones that had been formed with various flaws and could not be used without leather covering. That means simply that you cannot remove the leather and have a good servicable vinyl console. It will have bondo and other such repairs under the leather.

As to the outward difference in the air bag center console, they look very much alike, but I have found enough difference in them to require some modification to my Flush Conversion components to allow for the differences.

 

Thanks for that info. Just looking at them, they looked "the same," but without knowing what to look for, I'm sure I would miss subtle differences. My car is an '86.5...the new console was from an Ebay auction that listed it as "80-95" which now that I think about it doesn't make much sense.

I will post up some pics later...

 

Are there part numbers stamped on the consoles you have ?

 

I never thought to look. That would be a smart thing to do!