Center console question

[Owen 340+6]

Hey guys I don't claim to be an expert so I apologize if this question is dumb.

I am in restoration stage on my 71 duster. I am undecided bench or bucket seats right now but if I go buckets I'd like a console. Car is a 4 speed car and it will be a 71-74 pistol grip handle. Will a console even work with this without any major mods or does it need a console only shift handle to work? I assume the console sits back and centered over the hump but not the shifter hole in the floor I just want expert input that will make my decision easier on seat choice

 

[Professor Fate]

Hey guys I don't claim to be an expert so I apologize if this question is dumb.

I am in restoration stage on my 71 duster. I am undecided bench or bucket seats right now but if I go buckets I'd like a console. Car is a 4 speed car and it will be a 71-74 pistol grip handle. Will a console even work with this without any major mods or does it need a console only shift handle to work? I assume the console sits back and centered over the hump but not the shifter hole in the floor I just want expert input that will make my decision easier on seat choice

Gunslinger (now owned by Brewer's) used to offer an adapter to use the Pistol Grip in an A body console, but hasn't been available in a while. Last I heard, Brewer's was considering a fresh run if there was enough interest?
Otherwise, it really wouldn't be too hard to fab one yourself.

 

[Owen 340+6]

That looks pretty easy to make as long as someone has accurate measurements

 

[Lance Lot Link]

Found mine in the basement yesterday while looking for my console setup. Looks to be 3/8" steel, came from Brewers before they ran out.

 

[Lance Lot Link]

I'll try to get measurements tonight, right now I only have privacy in bathroom, wife watching every move. The angle might be tricky, for me anyway, not good at fabbing. Looks like all holes same size, there are two on each end. I think maybe the bolts in there now go to the stick. I have that too, somewhere. But, maybe use 1/8" for mockup to see how it fits? I can copy anything-Monkey See,Monkey Do.

 

[str12-340]

Somewhere there is a thread on here for modifying an auto console for use with a 4 speed...

The console is not centered on the hump but rather sits toward the driver

 

[340sFastback]

Somewhere there is a thread on here for modifying an auto console for use with a 4 speed...

The console is not centered on the hump but rather sits toward the driver

Correct. Console is centered in the car equal distance between the two door sills. So for someone adding a console if its centered in car it ends up sitting offset on trans tunnel toward driver.

 

[Owen 340+6]

I actually did read something years ago about the cutting of an auto console so you didn't have to run the adapter bracket, I think

 

[4spdragtop]

I believe that adapter Lance posted would be for the handle shown in Professors pic(from Brewers/Gunslinger). If using an oem pistol grip shifter and cutting it, then who knows what style size of adapter.
Console location is same auto vs 4spd.

 

[HemiSSDart]

Factory 4-speed consoles were only available 66-69 in A-Body's and 70-up in Mexican built A-body's. They are very expensive and have a different base than an automatic console. I have two for sale at $900 each if that tells you anything. You can use an automatic console with some hacking...

 

[Owen 340+6]

I also had thought the 71-74 b body consoles look nice and low and I can find those locally for $300 give or take wonder if anyone has tried that in a duster

 

[Lance Lot Link]

Here a "drawing" of the Gunslinger bracket with most of the measurements. I just noticed that the offset measurement is missing, it's hard for me to measure, but I'd say maybe .75". Pretty obvious that orthographic projection is not my strong suit. The bolts are 3/8" and the bolt holes are just clearance holes.

 

[Owen 340+6]

Phenomenal work thank you!

 

[Lance Lot Link]

Phenomenal work thank you!

If you need more info on the bracket, let me know, maybe I can help. Maybe I will have mine put together by then. I'm going to cut an automatic console top plate for the 4 speed boot/shifter and then fab the chrome trim that goes around it. Maybe I will find a scrap 4 speed top plate to carve up? I don't have the spondulicks for a new 4 speed plate.

 

[Owen 340+6]

I'm in my 30s, one income while my wife stays home with our 4 kids... Lack of disposable income is my primary language. Lol I really appreciate it, everyone.

 

[72Duster440]

If you need more info on the bracket, let me know, maybe I can help. Maybe I will have mine put together by then. I'm going to cut an automatic console top plate for the 4 speed boot/shifter and then fab the chrome trim that goes around it. Maybe I will find a scrap 4 speed top plate to carve up? I don't have the spondulicks for a new 4 speed plate.

That's what I did. I found an auto console that was pretty beat up. I cut the top plate for a 4 speed, designed a trim piece to go around it and had sendcutsend.com make and powder coat it for me. I then took a piece of thin aluminum and made a 'panel' to cover the pitted and beat up factory top plate, I wrapped that aluminum plate in a carbon fiber pattern. Added a pair of cup holders too.

 

[Lance Lot Link]

That really looks very good. Very ingenious and I like the addition of the cup holders! Thanks for sharing the tips, pics and drawing. It will help me. That looks like a correct shifter handle too, maybe? Brewers has those. Then you don't even need the Gunslinger bracket.

 

[72Duster440]

Thanks, just about everything I bought to convert from auto to manual came from Brewers. Dan even sent me pictures and some dimensions of his adapter bracket to run a pistol grip, but at the time, pistol grips were on backorder for months from everyone, so I went with a factory one. The cup holders are from ebay, they are meant for a poker table, they fit good and are the perfect size for a bottle of water or can of pop, anything bigger won't fit.

I put a USB port on the inside as well to charge my phone if needed.

 

[Lance Lot Link]

I'm making some notes now. Seriously, Sendcutsend, cupholders, USB port. I wonder if 3 -12VDC rocker switches will fit in front of the shifter?

 

[72Duster440]

They should, there is nothing underneath in that area.

Sendcutsend made two of those brackets for me and powdercoated them, I didn't meet their minimum price, so they add whatever to hit the minimum, it was like $30 shipped. I put one on top and one underneath to sandwich everything together and just used button head screws amd nuts underneath to secure everything.