4 Speed Console

[Mopar Crazy]

Re. a 68 Charger Console....
Is it possible to convert a Auto Console to a 4-Speed Console
Someone said that if you cut a square in the top shift plate, it would work....

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Yes.  You would need to modify the body of the console to clear the shifter hump on the floor as well

[8WHEELER]

I recommend if you are going to cut out the hole in the top plate which I am surprised does not
happen more often with todays prices  cut up an old pitted bent one first and get some
practice. Good ones auto or 4sp are a bitch to find as I am sure you know.

Dan

[694spdRT]

I converted an old automatic woodgrain top plate I had laying around just to see if I could. From the looks of the '68 ribbed plate it might be more challenging. In addition to the cutout Chris mentioned for the shifter hump you will also need to get the correct driver side trim piece, hump cover, and carpet.

The first picture is the measurements you will need to make the top plate. The second pic is a comparison of  my original and the one I converted. 

[8WHEELER]

I take it the one on the left is the one you worked on, because the one on the right has a hole.
Looks great.

Dan

[Troy]

The console itself is probably easier to convert than the top plate. The trim piece on the side, the part that covers the hump, and also the carpet is reproduced. The top plates are the big sticking point.

Troy

[Mopar Crazy]

I bought 2 old top plates at Carlise to play with...
This is a lot cheaper the trying to buy or find a 4-spd console..
Thanks for the help.
Especially the illustrations from 694spdRT     That will def. help a lot....

694spdRT Do you have the measurements for the opening?? 7" from the front to ??
Thanks

[694spdRT]

I take it the one on the left is the one you worked on, because the one on the right has a hole.
Looks great.

Dan

Actually the one on the right is the converted one. The hole was from someone putting a vacuum guage in. There is some other damage also..that is why I didn't mind cutting it up.  he last step is to put a new woodgrain treatment on it. I figure it is good enough for a driver.   

[694spdRT]

694spdRT Do you have the measurements for the opening?? 7" from the front to ??
Thanks

The 7" is from the centerline of the top trim band and the start of the band at the shifter location just like in the picture. The 2 1/2" is from the start of the crease to the lower trim band.

These points are present on both the automatic and 4 speed plates and give a reference to use. The conversion will require the removal of the shift indicator piece and some type of filler material to be added in its place. I used some heavy gauge sheet aluminum for this gap. For the little pieces of trim needed to make the shifter hole border I cut up the automatic shift indicator section and used parts of it. I did not have a die grinder or dremel at the time which would have made the mods much easier. I used a jigsaw so lets just say my cuts are far from straight.  The good thing is in the end it gets covered by the woodgrain anyway.

Here are some pics of the mods under the woodgrain. The last one shows the pieces taken from the shift indicator to make the upper and lower pieces for the shifter hole. 

[694spdRT]

Here is one of the modified woodgrain piece. I cut a piece of woodgrain from an unused part of the automatic woodgrain to fill where the shift indicator was previously. The last step is to then cover this with new woodgrain.

With the earlier ribbed top plates much more precise cuts will need to be made because there is no woodgrain to hide your work. The ribbs will have to be cut so that your work is not noticeable. I have one of the ribbed ones I plan on cutting up someday...I just have not gotten around to trying yet.

The last pick is of an earlier ribbed top plate and the shows the trim pieces I used to make the upper and lower border of the shifter hole.

[Mopar Crazy]

694spdRT    Those are some great pictures. They will help..
Thanks for taking the time to post them.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Pete

[694spdRT]

No problem...hope they help.

[AKcharger]

I found it!

This is exactly what I was planning to do! Now 694... the chrome bits from the shift lever area  you used on the top and bottom edges how did you install them? They look too thin, did you turn them sideways?

AK

[694spdRT]

Hi AK

I used the trim pieces staight up as they are in the picture. Flipping them will not work because there is a slight curve in the automatic shift lever area and it would look wrong sideways. The ribbing on the upper and lower part of the 4 speed top plate is not very wide anyway. There is a slight variation on the two trim pieces but, it is not very noticable unless you are looking closely. To attach them I simply used a good 2 part epoxy with a thin piece of metal underneath to bridge the trim and existing plate.

I did this 2 or 3 years ago so some the details are a little fuzzy. 

Ty