How to: center console
 

Well this is my attempt at a how to. After seeing what others are building I felt I needed to make a better looking center console. So 1st I went to a bed store and went dumster diving for cardboard. Found some good size peices took them home and cut them into useable peices (pic 1). When making a cardboard form look to see which way the ribs are running(2). if you want to curve it bend it with the ribs(3). Cut your forms to fit and tape them together. I made center braces out of cardboard (4-5). After getting things the way I wanted them I used metal duct tape and covered the cardboard(6). I also screwed some wood bracing to the form (7) With this done my next step is to put wax over the aluminum tape. This will keep the resion from sticking to the form. After this I will pull some t shirt material staple it and cover it with fiberglass resion. I hope to have more done in the days to come, I'll keep up with pic.

Re: How to: center console
 

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Re: How to: center console
 

Looks like a good start. I did something simular, but after I had the cardboard form I transfered it over to MDF and made a wood buck. Unlike you I dedciced to out source the project (which is not usually the case for me) to a friend of mine that is a street rod builder. He has access to metal breaks and better tools.

I will have to get some pictures when it returns, later this summer.

Good luck.
Marc

Re: How to: center console
 

And a few more. The plastic dash came out of a dodge neon. I'm not sure which I'll use but they will be interchangeable

Re: How to: center console
 

I've done it with wood also but I figured if it not carrying any weight I'll see if this way works. Some people dont have axcess to alot of tools so I thought this would be an easy way for everyone to make a inexpensive custom dash.

Re: How to: center console
 

what year is that plastic console from?.

Re: How to: center console
 

I'm not sure I just searched around till I found one that looked good. I think late 90's early 2000.