S14 centre console rebuild

[blue boy]

Decided that my centre console was getting tired and even though I was using the double din for my HU and Processor Controller the controller was no longer required to be there all the time as the system is now set up. It was also looking a bit messy as I had the EBC sitting there flopping about in the old cubby tray slot and I needed to find room for 3 Defi gauges!

Anyway, firstly I cut out the shape of the new console from ¾” MDF. The template was made from card and I did guess the curve a bit but seem to have got it right.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/blue_boy/centre%20console/23122006065Small.jpg

Next up was to route some groves into the side so that the plate would sit more flush in the centre console area. If this was not done then it would stick out like a sore thumb at the bottom. This also helps it to locate better and not move around.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/blue_boy/centre%20console/23122006066Small.jpg

Then I just measured up where I wanted everything to go and just cut all the respective holes out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/blue_boy/centre%20console/24122006067Small.jpg

I have not shown how to mount the console in the car as forgot to take pics of that bit due to fading light and rushing. All I did was make some metal brackets for the top to screw into the orignal places and have yet to do the ones down below but it feels quite solid. All I need to do now is get some black vinyl and cover it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/blue_boy/centre%20console/24122006068Small.jpg

[Ari Vatanen]

looks good :thumbs:

Im thinking of doing the same sort of thing but want to keep the cig lighter & the ashtray for loose change.

are they 2 60mm and a 52mm gauge you've got there???

[blue boy]

are they 2 60mm and a 52mm gauge you've got there???
they are indeed. All i need now is the sensors to get them working:wack:

[^adam^]

mate that's quality,

can you make me one? ;)

[Ari Vatanen]

they are indeed. All i need now is the sensors to get them working:wack:

LOL

you've saved a bundle of money not needing a-pillar or vent pods :nod:

[blue boy]

Adam - Don't have much time at the moment but i am sure that i could get round to one. Do you just need a blank face plate?

Ari - I did indeed save some money as i know the price of the sensors:eek: Still i only paid 50 quid for them and the link meter.

[j4mes]

looks good mate. :) if you want to make the stereo fit into the build. i put another layer behind the top one, and cut the front plate enough to fit the stereo surround :)

[Dave200]

ive done a smiliar thing mate but used laminate flooring :wack: but covered it in leather, worth looking at doing rather than vinyl :nod:

looking good though:thumbs:

[opel2000]

Been looking into doing something like this for my S13, but S13 console a bit of a pain in the ass to do much with at all.

Excellent Solution there Blue Boy. Should look spot on when finished mate.:thumbs: :thumbs:

[blue boy]

looks good mate. :) if you want to make the stereo fit into the build. i put another layer behind the top one, and cut the front plate enough to fit the stereo surround :)
I did think about setting it back by just routing it out a bit and also recessing the gauges but decided to stay with a more functional 'race' look.

[lumoxs]

lookin good fella. wish i was handy at that sorta stuff

[pdh 14a]

Thats clever work :clap: :thumbs:

[lackofgrip]

lookin good fella. wish i was handy at that sorta stuff

mdf's cheap n just practice!!!!!

[WideboyS14]

Adam - Don't have much time at the moment but i am sure that i could get round to one. Do you just need a blank face plate?

Ari - I did indeed save some money as i know the price of the sensors:eek: Still i only paid 50 quid for them and the link meter.

id be interested in just a blank face plate.

good work!! :thumbs:

[Xcapade]

top work 10/10 for effort and looks real good

[Quarantine]

great job......now pics with the vinyl on

[blue boy]

Gonna have to wait a while for the vinyl pics as don't have any yet.

[crazyshad1]

id be interested in just a blank face plate.

good work!! :thumbs:

me 2 please :D

[blue boy]

Guys, they are really easy to make. I still have the template, i will see if i can scan it as orignal size and then post it up here.

[Ari Vatanen]

Guys, they are really easy to make. I still have the template, i will see if i can scan it as orignal size and then post it up here.

:thumbs:

when I replaced my knackered console I just threw it in the bin, then about 20 mins after the bin men left I thought you tit, it could of been a prastice piece :annoyed:

if you post up the dimensions or a pic it would be much appreciated + I wont need to take mine out to measure it :D

[Mertle]

Guys, they are really easy to make. I still have the template, i will see if i can scan it as orignal size and then post it up here.

If you could post up your template I would also be very gratefull. Thanks:)

[blue boy]

Guess this needs to be moved to the interior section please mods

[Mark]

I need to do this :nod: must find time and get my arse in gear :nod:

[dan mkii]

what you going to cover it in mate?

[blue boy]

Going to get some black vinyl and cover it in that

[lumoxs]

any updates matey? :nod:

[blue boy]

not had a chance to get the vinyl yet dude. will try to sort out ASAP :thumbs:

[Mark]

Started mine today and have it cut out :thumbs: i have editted blue boys picture to add some dimensions to get the basic shape :thumbs:

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=41691&stc=1&d=1169997180

Hope people find it useful :) It will require trimming probably to fit properly but it gives you a start :thumbs:

[Ari Vatanen]

Started mine today and have it cut out :thumbs: i have editted blue boys picture to add some dimensions to get the basic shape :thumbs:

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=41691&stc=1&d=1169997180

Hope people find it useful :) It will require trimming probably to fit properly but it gives you a start :thumbs:

:thumbs:

How are you going to secure it in place ???

would it be possible to use the original screw holes, I was thinking maybe make an MDF sandwich with a small metal strip and a hole drilled through so it lines up with the original???

a bit like this :)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b111/Vatanen/clips.jpg

[Mark]

I am going to try and use the original metal frame you get on the OEM part :)

If that doesnt work then eeerrrr dont know :wack:

[HighPsi]

the black face of the oem part is thinner than the mdf so using the oem frame might make the mdf pertrude... however the oem frame could be sunk into the back of the mdf a bit so that it sits further back! (i know what i mean) :sxoc:

i never even gave it a thought to make my own centre console but seeing this has inspired me a bit. i think ill go for a touch screen and 3 gauges in mine though, then the avcr in the air vents at the top

[blue boy]

the black face of the oem part is thinner than the mdf so using the oem frame might make the mdf pertrude... however the oem frame could be sunk into the back of the mdf a bit so that it sits further back! (i know what i mean) :sxoc:

i never even gave it a thought to make my own centre console but seeing this has inspired me a bit. i think ill go for a touch screen and 3 gauges in mine though, then the avcr in the air vents at the top
That is why i used a router on the edges to recess it slightly;)

Good job there Mark:thumbs:

I will pull the plate out at the weekend to try to show how it is attached as i used another piece of wood on the top half with some brackets.

I will order some vinyl this week and see if i can finish it off. Not actually happy with where the EBC sits so i may design a new one:eek:

[blue boy]

I am going to try and use the original metal frame you get on the OEM part :)

If that doesnt work then eeerrrr dont know :wack:

Mark - i will try that out and see if it works. Don't think it will TBH because i think that my gauges will foul the cage.

[Mark]

Yer I am having the heater controls, SAFC and ProfecB in mine so think it will clear every thing :nod: I doubt it will work straight away but i hope to be able to modify it :) ;)

Need to finish the top surround off and cover the gearlever surround as well ;)

[blue boy]

Yer I am having the heater controls, SAFC and ProfecB in mine so think it will clear every thing :nod: I doubt it will work straight away but i hope to be able to modify it :) ;)

Need to finish the top surround off and cover the gearlever surround as well ;)
I am having ideas in my head now of a redesign. Heater controls would be better served down in the console or......................................

................will save those ideas for the next update i post on my centre console. I feel a fibreglass moment coming on:D

[blue boy]

Ok, I decided to have a redesign as did not like my first version and wanted to use the orignal metal cage mountings that held the crappy plastic console on.

First was to use my trusty template and cut a new console (3/4 MDF again). Then I routed the sides so it drops in further to the centre of the dash..

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42362&stc=1&d=1171208482

Next was to cut a chunk off the back of the bottom corner for the longer bracket.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42363&stc=1&d=1171208482

Then I mounted the brackets. I wil try to measure where the holes go for the screws later. It was a bit trial and error.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42364&stc=1&d=1171208482

Then I marked out where I wanted the stereo, EBC and gauges to go. I decided on something slightly non uniform.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42365&stc=1&d=1171208482

[blue boy]

Then I cut it all out.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42366&stc=1&d=1171209004

And then I fitted the brackets to the back of the car. The gauges did not foul at all and the stereo cage did slightly but the metal brackets do bend a bit ;)

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42367&stc=1&d=1171209016

Then I test fitted it into the car

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42368&stc=1&d=1171209016

And then it is onto the finishing. Glue applied. The adhesive seems to be taking an age to go off and I am worried that it is not a very good contact adhesive.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42369&stc=1&d=1171209016

More later (with luck).

[Mark]

Looking good, going to work on mine some more tomorrow at work :thumbs:

[blue boy]

All finished now. Don't have time to put it in the car yet so this pic will have to suffice. Just need a way to securily mount the EBC

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42371&stc=1&d=1171219534

[WideboyS14]

i like that! but for some reason i would have had the small gauge up and the two larger ones lower. great work though!

[Xcapade]

Started mine today and have it cut out :thumbs: i have editted blue boys picture to add some dimensions to get the basic shape :thumbs:

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=41691&stc=1&d=1169997180

Hope people find it useful :) It will require trimming probably to fit properly but it gives you a start :thumbs:

Top man Mark thank you for this:thumbs:

[Neal]

Wow this looks wicked :D

Somebody want to make me one :D

[200SX Dave]

was thinking of doing something like this but wasnt sure where to start, consider this bookmarked when when i have something to fit in it :wack:

[Ari Vatanen]

All finished now. Don't have time to put it in the car yet so this pic will have to suffice. Just need a way to securily mount the EBC

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42371&stc=1&d=1171219534

that looks the borricks :thumbs:

what material did you use???

Ive just ordered 70cm x 135cm of black alcantara of fleabay :wack:

I think I could have some left over so if any one wants some I will probably have loads left over :)

[blue boy]

I just used 1 or 2mm thick vinyl. Stuck it down with contact adhesive and it moulded round the corners with no problems.

I have a picture of it in the car now. Will post it up later.

[blue boy]

And here is the finished article.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42909&stc=1&d=1172407891

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42910&stc=1&d=1172407891

All i need to do now is get the sensors for the Defi's so that they will actually work:rolleyes:

[jim22]

awesome job:thumbs:

[mantachris]

like that, nicely done:thumbs:

[james anderson]

:cool: :cool: :cool:

[Ari Vatanen]

And here is the finished article.

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42909&stc=1&d=1172407891

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42910&stc=1&d=1172407891

All i need to do now is get the sensors for the Defi's so that they will actually work:rolleyes:

nice job :nod: :thumbs:

[Quarantine]

thats excellent

[200SX Dave]

Liking that :thumbs:

[amnesia]

All finished now. Don't have time to put it in the car yet so this pic will have to suffice. Just need a way to securily mount the EBC


How about a small block of wood glued to the back of the fascia, just below the EBC, with a sticky pad (RVM pads work well) to secure the boost controller ?

[blue boy]

How about a small block of wood glued to the back of the fascia, just below the EBC, with a sticky pad (RVM pads work well) to secure the boost controller ?

I did it in the end with a small angled bracket screwed into the back and a bit of sticky velcro:thumbs:

[Squares]

That looks really good, I have to get mine sorted too.

Can I ask though, why did you use 3/4" MDF, isnt that REALLY heavy?

Think I am going to do mine with an alloy sheet, although I doubt it will be as neat as that, it looks mint!:nod:

[blue boy]

It is not as heavy as you think once you have cut all the holes out. And it is not that large in the first place.

Also it provides good support for the HU

[jony9]

why dont you make them and sell them? ill have one lol!

[blue boy]

Tempting but it is finding the time.

[driftnut]

Wicked posting here!!! Am gonna do the same thing i think seeing as i am a carpenter my skills might actually pay off!!!

Was it easy to fix in place into the car when it was all together?

[Ari Vatanen]

Wicked posting here!!! Am gonna do the same thing i think seeing as i am a carpenter my skills might actually pay off!!!

Was it easy to fix in place into the car when it was all together?

:D

Its easy, just make sure you fit the 2 original metal brackets exactly in the right place :nod:

once you get them right you can do what you want with the available space :thumbs:

I marked out my measurements when I did mine

http://sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=272370

post No 5 if its any help too ya :)

[driftnut]

will have to wait until i find the gauges and EBC i want then its on like the kong.

[Rich_M]

Thanks to the information posted in this thread along with help from Mark and Ari Vatanen i have managed to make a half decent stab at getting my gauges in.
Hope you like;
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f264/richmustoe/console1.jpg
Not quite finished the wiring off yet so no action shots, i was suprised how tight a fit it was to get the AVCR in the centre console along with the head unit and the gauges.
Have sacraficed centre drivers vent for boost gauge as well;
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f264/richmustoe/console.jpg
I still have a bit of work left to do as iam planning to move the fag lighter into the cubby between the drivers and passangers seats, all being well it will al be taken car of next week.:thumbs:
Cheers,
Rich.

[Madda]

As said on Pm, good work Rich :cool:

[blue boy]

Nice one:thumbs:

Glad that this thread has been of use.

[The_BULK]

ill be tackling my one soon to get al of my safety gubbins fitted along with some of my guages, nice work rich

[Rich_M]

ill be tackling my one soon to get al of my safety gubbins fitted along with some of my guages, nice work rich

I have boat loads of black suede material, give me a ring if you want any.

[The_BULK]

I have boat loads of black suede material, give me a ring if you want any.

winner :thumbs:

pm on its way :D

[Ari Vatanen]

Thats a really good effort Rich :nod: :thumbs:

cig lighter - you sure it won't squeeze down either side of the side of the AVCR???

I had fun and games getting mine to fit along side my Profec B but it did workout in the end and it finished off the panel nicely :)

[Rich_M]

OK i have wired something up wrong.

I have taken the 12v ignition, earth and lighting all from the back of the standard fag lighter.
But when i turn the ignition on the gauges do not light up or do the opening up ceromony, its only when i turn the sidelights on that they turn on. What have i done?

On the back of the standard fag lighter there are two plugs, one double one sigle. The double plug has a thicker orange wire with a black stripe, and a thin black wire. The single plug has a thin magenta wire with a blue stripe.
I have wired up as follows;

Orangle/black = 12v ignition
Black = Earth
Magenta/blue = Lighting

Can anyone shed any light?

[Evilchap]

You have taken the power from the lighting side of the power socket, not the power side ;)

You may have got which is which muddled, that's the only sensible explanation for your symptoms

Ben

[Rich_M]

Sh!t sticks! Got to take the whole lot apart again then, what a fun job that is going to be.
Do you have any idea of what colour wires do what as i dont want to have to do this a third time and/or blow a fuse somewhere (car not me).
Thanks,
Rich.

[kam]

What is "lighting"?

According to instructions gauges need an earth, ignition, and perminant.

Although mine are only wired to ignition & earth....

[Rich_M]

Sorry if i wasn't clear - im crap at autoelectrical stuff.

The gauges have four wires on the power/lighting plug, i have used three (as per instruction to get them to light up white both day and night).
The wires i have used are;

Red = 12v ignition = wired to orange/black wire from fag lighter
Black = Earth = wired to black wire from fag lighter
White = dash ilumination circuit = wired to magenta/blu wire from fag lighter

Rather than getting them to turn on with the ignition,they are only turning on and lighting up when i switch the side lights on.
Hope thats makes more sence?
Thanks for your help,
Rich.

[tej]

What is "lighting"?

According to instructions gauges need an earth, ignition, and perminant.

Although mine are only wired to ignition & earth....

Theres an orange on there too, iirc its the dimmer (when the lights are on the gauges go red iirc) or you can wire the orange to ignition and have the gauges permanently red, i think

fwiw, i'd take the power feeds from the headunit, otherwise make sure you take the ignition feed from the fag lighter, not illumination

[Rich_M]

btt

[Ari Vatanen]

so you have everything working properly except illumination (its ok when you turn the lights on) ???

try a multitester/voltmeter on the spare wires on the headunit harness, Im sure there is a spare perm. illumination wire in there somewhere.

or just splice into the headunit illumination wire :confused:

Im cr@p at car electrics myself but I must of been lucky when i fitted mine :wack: , I can't remember what I used to get perp illumination for my profec.

[Ari Vatanen]

have a look here:

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpost.php?p=3109739&postcount=15

2nd line from the bottom

I don't think I can have the pic of the wire/multiblock, probably deleted it but I will try find it tomorrow :)

I need to replace my cig-lighter bcause it stopped working so i could have another look then, when i get round to it :rolleyes:

[tej]

btt

as i said in my first post, take the power feeds from the stereo (yellow = permanent, red = switched) and it should be a lot more straight forward

[The_BULK]

i started mine last night, good little guide this is and big thanks to rich_m for sorting me out with some of his left over material :D

ill post a pic when im finished :thumbs:

[TheChin]

Dunno if this is too late. But this might help you.

RED - Battery +
BLACK - Ground
BROWN - connect into sidelights or dimmer switch, this is to lower the gauge illumination at night
ORANGE & YELLOW - On the ignition switch there are normally 4 key positions as follows :
Position 1 - OFF
Position 2 - ACC connect YELLOW wire to this
Position 3 - ON here there are 2 wires, 1 will have no power when the engine is started
1 will retain power when the engine is started - connect ORANGE to this
Position 4 - START ENGINE

[Wookie]

If they are the ProSport gauges (which they look like), to get them illuminating in white I just connected the Red and white wires together so that they are permanatly illuminated and took the power feed from the wing mirror adjuster switch in the centre console and then just earthed them to a bolt by the gear stick surround and they work grand:nod:

[Rich_M]

Thnks for the comments guys.
I have now got them working, i am still unsure as to why the cig lighter made them go queer (only working with lights on) as i tested the wires with a bulb and it was working when i though it should be but with the guages plugged in it wasn't.
In the end i followed Tej's advice and used the yellow and red wires from the rear of the headunit which has worked a treat.

Fitting the sandwhich plate was a bit of a fight though, had to go to motor factor half way through to equip myself with a 27mm socket to get the sandwhich plate union done up. Then found i couldn't get the sodding connectors on the senders with it bolted in position so had to take it all off again and refit.
I didn't use any ptf tape on the senders as i assumed that the npt thread would seel itself up on its own - i hope it does not end up coming back to haunt me as its a right ball ach doing filer changes on the s14 with oil going everytwhere :annoyed: twat nissan for picking such a small space for the filter!

Rich

[TheChin]

Take the plate off mate. You now have a leak. Use PTFE tape ALWAYS, under stress, it will leak like a mofo. Mine did.

[blue boy]

There was no need to get a socket to do it up. I just got an adjustable spanner in there and nipped it up. Don't forget the oil filter is only ever hand tight and if you tighten the sandwich plate too much you can warp it.

[tej]

hmm.. i didnt pfte my sendor threads, seem to have been ok for the past 6-7months, knowing my luck, if i take them off to do the job again they will start to leak :wack:

although they were seriously tight, i couldnt even get them to screw down completey to the head of the sendor

ps. TheChin, has Neil been in touch yet? :)

[blue boy]

although they were seriously tight, i couldnt even get them to screw down completey to the head of the sendor



Tapered thread mate;)

[kam]

Theres an orange on there too, iirc its the dimmer (when the lights are on the gauges go red iirc) or you can wire the orange to ignition and have the gauges permanently red, i think

fwiw, i'd take the power feeds from the headunit, otherwise make sure you take the ignition feed from the fag lighter, not illumination

The trouble with that was the gauges were on slightly when i turned the car off, no matter what way i wired them.

Strange, im happy thought, never get eye fatuige from them...

[TheChin]

hmm.. i didnt pfte my sendor threads, seem to have been ok for the past 6-7months, knowing my luck, if i take them off to do the job again they will start to leak :wack:

although they were seriously tight, i couldnt even get them to screw down completey to the head of the sendor

ps. TheChin, has Neil been in touch yet? :)

Na not yet, so i bought all the stuff yesterday :thumbs:

[tej]

Na not yet, so i bought all the stuff yesterday :thumbs:

i'll send him a little reminder :) saw him yesterday but forgot to ask him