Installation of 06-07 OEM center console - Success!

[Kurk818]

I took on the challenge of installing the oem center console from my 06 STI donor. Have a look. Its a bit of a pain to work things out and i wouldve done things differently the second time, but this is good for now.

http://i.imgur.com/vkCQmW4l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/90cBBQ6l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SLkUpnPl.jpg

And just because "meaty" :)

http://i.imgur.com/IU23Slal.jpg

[TrickyPete]

Wow....... That is all.....

[Aero STI]

That center console turned out phenomenal. Good work!

[Kurk818]

Thanks guys. Im really happy with it. Gives it that needed touch.

[fryguy]

That center console looks like it was made for the interior. Outstanding. Can't wait to see the completed widebody.

[Mechie3]

Looks nice. What would you do differently?

[Santiago]

Really-really nice! If I was doing an S-car I would definitely do something like this. Personally, the super-squared off interior panels always screamed "kit car" to me. This really ups the quality. Might be nice to see other folks adapt different OEM centers now that you've shown the example. Well done.

Oh, and I love me some MEATY!

Best,
-j

[Kurk818]

Looks nice. What would you do differently?

Just the way i would approach the install. Which pieces i would trim to fit and how i would secure it in place. Some of the fitment and alignment makes it seam like it was made for it tho. Im all about the details and some things just bother me is all.

[longislandwrx]

very nice. storage!

did you have to remove the tunnel square bars?

[Kurk818]

very nice. storage!

did you have to remove the tunnel square bars?

No, it rides and secures to it.

[STiPWRD]

Wow, that console looks amazing. And the head lights look really nice too - have you tried aligning them yet? And if so, could you post a pic?

[Kurk818]

Wow, that console looks amazing. And the head lights look really nice too - have you tried aligning them yet? And if so, could you post a pic?

I have not tried aligning them yet. Ill probably do that as one of the last things.

[Buzz Skyline]

Man, I wish I'd thought to keep the console from my donor. This looks great.

I doubt there's room for donor seats though. It was awfully tight even with the kit tunnel installed on mine.

[Kurk818]

Man, I wish I'd thought to keep the console from my donor. This looks great.

I doubt there's room for donor seats though. It was awfully tight even with the kit tunnel installed on mine.

I will be using the donor STI blue seats. They fit snuggly but with no issue. I even kept the oem slides.

[Buzz Skyline]

Now I'm really jealous! Yours may be my new favorite build.

[flynntuna]

One more part to save from the donor! I like the result, why reinvent the wheel? Great job.
My 03 forester's console looks the same from the shifter back. :cool:

[Canadian818]

Console looks great, kinda wish I did move my seats closer together. You do realize how much we're all anticipating the body mods right? Keep up the good work!!!

[Kurk818]

Im looking to get it registered before i do any rear end modifications. I will make the scoops tho. Contemplating on whether or not i would make a mold to sell them tho

[Hindsight]

You do :D

[Canadian818]

Im looking to get it registered before i do any rear end modifications. I will make the scoops tho. Contemplating on whether or not i would make a mold to sell them tho

I noticed something going on there at the scoops, care to show more?

[Kurk818]

I noticed something going on there at the scoops, care to show more?


Soon. One thing at a time :)

[Frank818]

http://i.imgur.com/IU23Slal.jpg

Excellent console fitting! But this one pic... you just got the new Coupe! :)

[Canadian818]

Soon. One thing at a time :)

Your killing me! Still planning on using the flares? Bolt on or mold in?

[AZPete]

Frank, that's the Canadian version. :D

[Kurk818]

Your killing me! Still planning on using the flares? Bolt on or mold in?

Im leaning bolt on due to saving me from redoing the whole body to make it blend in. Once im ready to paint, they will be made as one piece. I will be approx 1.5" wider in rear and approx 1" in front

[wleehendrick]

[QUOTE=But this one pic... you just got the new Coupe! :)[/QUOTE]

Funny... better lines than the Mini coupe!

39913

[svanlare]

Hats off to you, that console work is definitely an inspiration.

[Louisromersh]

Hey Kurk818 was wondering what shiftier did you? Was it the one FFR provides or was it the K-Tuned?

Thanks for the info.
Louis

P.S. You interior look Great!

[Kurk818]

Hey Kurk818 was wondering what shiftier did you? Was it the one FFR provides or was it the K-Tuned?

Thanks for the info.
Louis

P.S. You interior look Great!


Its a modified ffr unit. Its not as crisp as i would like it but ill wait until i put a few hundred miles on it before making a switch to more than likely the MR2 setup

[metalmaker12]

I like your console fit, wish I had done it.

[Connedale]

I'd like to use an STI but don't want to widen fenders. Are there off-the-shelf rims that correct this offset or is the offset too much?

[Kurk818]

I'd like to use an STI but don't want to widen fenders. Are there off-the-shelf rims that correct this offset or is the offset too much?

The wide fenders are not a result of the STI components. The 10.5" rims and 295's are what makes that happen. You can easily get rims that clear the fenders.

[Connedale]

Ok, thanks Kurk. Just to be clear though STI 6spd with STI axles put the factory rims too far out requiring new rims, correct? Sorry to hijack!

[Kurk818]

Ok, thanks Kurk. Just to be clear though STI 6spd with STI axles put the factory rims too far out requiring new rims, correct? Sorry to hijack!

Correct. About a half inch per side. Im not sure if FFR provides new axles with their 6speed kit now.

[Harley818]

Kurt, love the console....... I may have to look around for a console from an 06/07

[Kurk818]

The photos do a bad job of showing actual color but there is a distinguishable color difference between the gray console and black dash. A wrap may be in the future.

[Oppenheimer]

The photos do a bad job of showing actual color but there is a distinguishable color difference between the gray console and black dash. A wrap may be in the future.

Black spray paint for plastic?

[Hindsight]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/the-absolute-proper-way-to-paint-plastic-vinyl-interior-for-the-diyer.365304/

[Oppenheimer]

On my classic '71 Buick GS, I repainted some 30+ year old plastic seat backs, kick panels, etc, some refreshing the faded black, some changing color from brown to black, and all I did was clean them well with dish soap and water, thoroughly dry, cleaned with alcohol, and sprayed on the SEM plastic paint from the rattle can. Lasted fine for over a decade of abuse, and had no peeling or anything.

If anything, the chemical paint formulations must be even better today. I am wondering if all the prep mentioned in that thread is really required if you use the correct paint and common sense.

[Randy Burks]

Looks great. I am doing the same with my 04. Do you have photos of the modification to the emergency brake fixation since it has to tilt down to clear the console and be slightly off the center line?

[Kurk818]

Looks great. I am doing the same with my 04. Do you have photos of the modification to the emergency brake fixation since it has to tilt down to clear the console and be slightly off the center line?

You can see it in this photo a little bit.

http://i.imgur.com/E09wmt2l.jpg

and better here

http://i.imgur.com/9DtcUull.jpg

[STiPWRD]

Kurk, which insulating mat are you using in the interior?

[Kurk818]

Kurk, which insulating mat are you using in the interior?

Fatmat with no logos. Decent reviews, good price and adhered/installed great. Took almost exactly 50sf to cover the interior.

[STiPWRD]

Fatmat with no logos. Decent reviews, good price and adhered/installed great. Took almost exactly 50sf to cover the interior.

Thanks!

[Harley818]

Kurk,
went looking for your build thread to see more........ do you have one? couldn't find it....

[Kurk818]

Kurk,
went looking for your build thread to see more........ do you have one? couldn't find it....

i do not have one. Shouldve started it from the beginning but now feels like too much work.

[R.Spec]

That looks phenomenal!

[nkw8181]

Looks great!

[Harley818]

Kurk, you motivated me to try to fit my 2002 console...... fits and looks really good.
Just mocked it in place so I will post pics on my thread when its done.

[Kurk818]

Someone has done the 02 already. It looks great. Definitely post photos.

[Kurk818]

Door panels and seats installed. Tablet still needs to be installed to finish it off.

A little dusty but you get the idea.

http://i.imgur.com/OqE6gH4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WEUcDI5l.jpg

[wallace18]

Super job, looks fantastic!

[AZPete]

Nice work. I like the way you integrated the console with the dash. Were you able to use the three OE HVAC dials? Not for OE HVAC I'd think, but repurposed?

[Kurk818]

Nice work. I like the way you integrated the console with the dash. Were you able to use the three OE HVAC dials? Not for OE HVAC I'd think, but repurposed?

I found guages that were perfect fitment to the diameter of the hvac controls. I have boost. Oil pressure and a dual intake air temp guage. I love how it has more of an oem finish this way

[AZPete]

I'm very impressed! Gauges for the HVAC controls is creative. Thanks for posting before I start my console.

[Kurk818]

I'm very impressed! Gauges for the HVAC controls is creative. Thanks for posting before I start my console.

Youll need to retain the front cover of the hvac control s to have a flange to mount to. Its really simple

[Gary Livingston]

Nice job on the console Kurk. Can you tell me how much wider the console is than the center frame . . .like width of it between the seats?
Thank you.

Gary

[Kurk818]

Nice job on the console Kurk. Can you tell me how much wider the console is than the center frame . . .like width of it between the seats?
Thank you.

Gary

If i remember correctly, its only about and inch total, 1/2" per side. The OEM seats fit tight but with no issues.

[Oppenheimer]

This looks so great. Very OEM. Just what this car needs to make the interior look as good as the exterior.

So, what gauges did you use?

[skullandbones]

That is pretty slick! The console really breaks up all the straight lines of the dash and side panels. If you didn't know better, you would think it was designed for it.

Good luck on the rest of your build.

WEK.

[Kurk818]

This looks so great. Very OEM. Just what this car needs to make the interior look as good as the exterior.

So, what gauges did you use?

I went with glowshift

[Zodiac]

any way you can get me a close up shot of the center console area? I've working on mine also but not sure if I should cut the dash, the radio bracket, or both :/

[Harley818]

With Kurk's idea motivating me I mocked up my 2002 console. It gives a much more finished OEM look.
I raised up the dash mounts provided by FFR by throwing away the FFR bracket and making a flat bracket - raising it by about 1/2 in.
This gives just enough room for the subaru radio console to fit underneath the dash perfectly and correctly so the shifter location is good.
I'm using Prosport guages which fit right into the console.
I am going to locate my Accessport instead of the left gauge on the dash, leaving oil pressure and temp on the dash. Then I will put boost, intake temp, and a smaller voltage gauge in the console. Gauges fit perfectly in the stock holes for ventilation controls.
In the audio slot I'm going to install a standard DIN bluetooth stereo with a flat panel to fill any space. I'll put a usb in the panel for charging and any other accessories.

4360343604
I haven't figured out yet how i'm going to do the handbrake. I like the idea of a remote electric actuator but I need time to sort that out.

[Kurk818]

Looks great Harley. Nice to see that the 02 works as well.