Did the Duster ever come with a center console /w 4 speed?

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jcolman

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I have a 72' Duster with bucket seats and a center console floor shift / 727 auto. I'm seriously thinking about swapping in a Tremec 5 speed this winter. Every photo I've seen of manual shift Dusters shows a stick shift/boot coming out of the transmission hump. I like the look of a center console but I don't know if there's one designed for a stick shift or not.
 
The only ones I've ever seen didn't have a console, but someone may have more insight.
 
Dusters did not, they were available on 67-69 Dart's and Barracuda's though. Same console as your Duster, different top plate. The issue will be if the aftermarket transmissions shifter location will be in correct location relative to console and top plate.
 
Dusters did not, they were available on 67-69 Dart's and Barracuda's though. Same console as your Duster, different top plate. The issue will be if the aftermarket transmissions shifter location will be in correct location relative to console and top plate.
Thanks. That's kind of what I thought.
 
I have a 72' Duster with bucket seats and a center console floor shift / 727 auto. I'm seriously thinking about swapping in a Tremec 5 speed this winter. Every photo I've seen of manual shift Dusters shows a stick shift/boot coming out of the transmission hump. I like the look of a center console but I don't know if there's one designed for a stick shift or not.

I added one to my GTS when I installed my TKO600. Are you looking use the new small case TKX?

I found a console and bought new floor brackets and shaved he console body to fit my new tunnel and put it in the stock location and using a 4 speed boot and plate to help locate the console. Somewhere there are dimensions as to where to roughly place the brackets for a factory console car. Due to my tunnel mods I had to shorten the front bracket to get it low enough to not look like it was pooping a wheelie. I used a SST stick due to the new shifter location. I'm on the tall side, at 6'2 so this shifter worked great for me. It does kick over to the driver side some.

Shifter Handle - 1st and 2nd Gen Camaro and Classic Mustang
 
I'd like to say the '70 Dusters could be had with them, but I can't recall seeing one... but I have seen '70 Swingers with them. Can't swear they were factory, though.
Just use the '69 and up 4 speed top plate on your console, it has the woodgrain. '68/67/66 used chrome/satin top plates.
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The Tremec has the shifter centrally located on the trans hump, so you shouldn't need to add the 4 speed hump (although some tunnel mods may still be needed). A little tweeking on the console bracket locations fore and aft should be all you'll need to center the console opening on the new shifter. All depends on which Tremec you use.
 
I'd like to say the '70 Dusters could be had with them, but I can't recall seeing one... but I have seen '70 Swingers with them. Can't swear they were factory, though.
Just use the '69 and up 4 speed top plate on your console, it has the woodgrain. '68/67/66 used chrome/satin top plates.
View attachment 1715768070View attachment 1715768072
The Tremec has the shifter centrally located on the trans hump, so you shouldn't need to add the 4 speed hump (although some tunnel mods may still be needed). A little tweeking on the console bracket locations fore and aft should be all you'll need to center the console opening on the new shifter. All depends on which Tremec you use.

I removed my hump and used a drivers side auto floor pan to patch it. I had a Hurst Kit no longer made and they included a rolled cover to span the opening. Almost all kits are designed for an auto. My stock drive shaft was the correct length, I just used a conversion joint on the front. The majority of the work is reworking the tunnel. I did learn the cast aluminum SBM to Tremec uses the 72-up Z bar pivot bracket and the stock throw out arm boot prevents the arm from fully moving. Like the opening is too small, although the boot fit.

FYI I used the 68 down non wood grain covers. I hate fake wood grain stuff.
 
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I have a 72' Duster with bucket seats and a center console floor shift / 727 auto. I'm seriously thinking about swapping in a Tremec 5 speed this winter. Every photo I've seen of manual shift Dusters shows a stick shift/boot coming out of the transmission hump. I like the look of a center console but I don't know if there's one designed for a stick shift or not.
If you do any of this please consider doing a thread/ photos!!
 
They were not available factory after 1969 but they remained available for several years into the 70 through the hustle stuff catalog and could be dealer installed or installed by the owner.
 
The last year for any A-body in the USA or Canada with a 4-speed console was 1969.

For whatever reason, they were still available in Mexican built A-bodies after that.
 
The OEM center console in classic cars was about worthless anyway, automatic or manual trans (unless you needed another ash tray). By 1970 there were aftermarket pieces with sandbags for weighing that would provide BS storage and cup holders available at car washes, etc... Those with a column shift or no center console could use one but those with the OEM console could not. You could go to a lot of effort and expense to install the OEM console and later wish you hadn't.
Voice of experience.
 
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