Console Installaton Questions

[B5 Six Pack]

I purchased a console off of ebay for use in my 4 speed car. It is an automatic console. I also purchased the template to cut the side of the console for a 4 speed, and that went fine. Also paid $90 ( ouch) for two 4 speed console brackets ( picture attached).
Questions:
1) How do I install the brackets? I have no idea where they go or how they function.
2) What is the difference between an automatic top plate and a 4 speed one? ( the trim plate with the woodgrain on it?)
3) Does anyone make a good repo 4 speed top plate?

Thanks.

[Shane Kelley]

The hole for the shifter is in a different location and slightly different shaped form automatic to manual. The lower console half is different also but can be modified to work. There are aftermarket top plates available. Check with @MoparDave for that. The brackets weld in but if your car already had a automatic console the rear bracket is the same and already in the correct position. You just need to weld in the front bracket. A easy way to tell where to put it would be to fasten it to your console and then fasten the console in your car to the rear bracket. Make sure everything is nice and straight and the way you want it.  Go through the top where your woodgrain plate would go and mark your floor where the bracket is sitting. Pull it all out and weld it in.

[MoparDave]

there are only 1 manufacture for the top plate and one manufacture for the console.  on the top plates due to some irregularities with casting. you may have to trim a small amount of the underside corner so it lays flat onto the console.

we generally stock these items.

[B5 Six Pack]

Shane, thanks very much for responding, and for the time and effort you spent posting the pictures! I'm still not getting it though - the brackets shown in the picture I posted are what I have. They are new and were advertised as being for a 4 speed. The car is an original 4 speed car that never had a console. I have cut the bottom drivers side of the plastic console to turn it into a 4 speed type, using a template sold for that purpose. Your pictures appear to show 3 brackets. I only have the two in my picture and they don't look the same to me as yours. At least I know they are weld on now, but don't know how/where the console attaches to them.

[B5 Six Pack]

there are only 1 manufacture for the top plate and one manufacture for the console.  on the top plates due to some irregularities with casting. you may have to trim a small amount of the underside corner so it lays flat onto the console.

we generally stock these items.

Mopar Dave, thanks for helping me out. Sorry, but I don't know who you are, what your business name/contact is. What is the specific difference in the top plates? I'm assuming the hole in the 4 speed plate is slightly bigger in a fore/aft direction.
Thanks.
.

[Shane Kelley]

Shane, thanks very much for responding, and for the timed and effort you spent posting the pictures! I'm still not getting it though - the brackets I posted the picture of are what I have. They are new and were advertised as being for a 4 speed. The car is an original 4 speed car that never had a console. I have cut the bottom drivers side of the plastic console to turn it into a 4 speed type, using a template sold for that purpose. Your pictures show 3 brackets, I only have the two in my picture and they don't look the same to me as yours. At least I know they are weld on now, but don't know how/where the console attaches to them.

Sorry I didn't catch you had a 4 speed car and was adding a console. Mine are the same brackets. Here is a better picture where you can see the whole rear bracket.

@MoparDave ia at Roseville Moparts.  http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/

[MoparDave]

yes, the top plate cut outs are different as you pointed out.

http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=208&search_in_description=1&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0

[Jim AAR]

Here's another angle of the rear console bracket on my 1970 Cuda 4 spd.

[Jim AAR]

They look like the wrong ones in your phiotos.

They should look like this.

This picture is from the AMD catalog.

Console Bracket Set - Manual Trans - 71-74 B-Body; 70-74 E-Body
Part# 490-1570-MS   Retail Price: $99.99
Availability: In Stock In Stock

Weight: 1.00 lbs

Shipping Dims: 8.00"L x 8.00"W x 8.00"H

[Shane Kelley]

Same brackets. They are just upside down in his pictures.

[Jim AAR]

You are right, after comparing the pics I noticed that as well.

[B5 Six Pack]

  You guys are the best! Thanks for the additional pictures. Now, out to the shop.

[Claudia]

I purchased a console off of ebay for use in my 4 speed car. It is an automatic console. I also purchased the template to cut the side of the console for a 4 speed, and that went fine. Also paid $90 ( ouch) for two 4 speed console brackets ( picture attached).
Questions:
1) How do I install the brackets? I have no idea where they go or how they function.
2) What is the difference between an automatic top plate and a 4 speed one? ( the trim plate with the woodgrain on it?)
3) Does anyone make a good repo 4 speed top plate?

Thanks.

In reference to your first question . . . brackets get welded directly to the floor.  You should have two brackets for the four speed setup and three brackets for the automatic setup.  I also converted my car over to a center console car however, mine is an automatic.  I could get you measurements for the rear center console bracket if needed . . . I believe that this bracket is the same between the automatic and four speed cars.  If so, once you have the rear bracket installed, you could then mount your console to it without the top plate and mark where the front bracket should be located and then weld in the front bracket.

[Jim AAR]

Front Console bracket from a different angle.

[B5 Six Pack]

  Thanks to all who posted. Much appreciated! I got the brackets welded in and the console installed this evening with no problems. For now, I just made the opening in the automatic top plate a little bigger towards the front of the car with a cut off wheel, since it seems the repo plates have issues. I kept the opening as tight as possible around the front of the boot such that the folds of the boot hide the missing chrome bead around the enlarged opening in first, third and neutral. I'll keep my eyes open for a nice OEM 4 speed top plate.
Another question though: Is there supposed to be some type of trim ring on the top side of the console lid around the lock hole, or is it just the lock assembly itself poking through? Can't tell from pictures.

Thanks again to all.