Transmission tunnel top ideas

[D Stand]

I am looking to make my tunnel top removable. Any tips or ideas for making it a success?

[BadAsp427]

That is most likely the easiest part of the entire build. I have mine attached with 4 black screws. ( I have a black leather ie vinyl on mine ) I have two in the front out about 2 in from the corners and two in the back. Then to remove all you have to do is remove those two screws and the shifter and shifter boot and your done.

You really do not even see the screws unless you are specifically looking at them.
A couple photos an you can see where the screws go. The screws are flat black and basically disappear into the big sceam of things. Each photo here has the screws in view.

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Another way that some do this is with some velcro type attachment. I would caution that less is better when it comes time to remove it.

[AC Bill]

I drilled and tapped the upper tunnel frame along both sides, to accept stainless steel machine screws with a finishing washer. These matched my dash and door upholstery screws The floor carpeting runs up to the top edge of the side tunnel aluminum. I had the tunnel cover's edges, fitting down over the outside of the tunnels side aluminum, (like a lid on a shoe box). I carpeted the cover, including the edges, after cutting the ashtray, and drink holder holes in it, and the position for the shift lever hole was established.

To improve the look, and hide the transition between the side, and the top cover carpeting, I used a section of stepped aluminum, carpet to floor transition strips. These are used in some homes, perhaps in a a doorway between a kitchen and dinning room, sort of thing. I covered the transition strips in a grained vinyl to match the dash.
At the rear, where the tranny cover carpeting meets the rear cockpit bulkhead, and at the front, under the dash area, the carpet just needed to be brushed a bit, to blend in, and hide any seams. If i need to pull the cover off, i just need to undo the screws on either side, the shift ring/boot, and lift it off.

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The transition strip (also called threshold strip), I used, looked somewhat similar to this one.
http://locninh.top/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tile-threshold-lowes-carpet-to-transition-strip-review-strips.jpg

[Sdonnel]

I placed Nutserts along the top of the tunnel frame (outside edge). Velcro under the carpet and it comes off with no issue. Lays flat when I reinstall it. I've had the tunnel out 5 times already to date with no issues putting it back together. I get a little popping of the aluminum, but a well placed rivet takes care of that once it's all back together. If done right, no one will ever know.

Scott

[BEAR-AvHistory]

4 black interior upholstery sheetmetal screws from the auto store. They have the round ring under the screw head so they don't sink into the foam backed material.

https://www.ffcars.com/forums/members/albums/50738-bear-avhistory/bear-2-2833-picture44898-boot1.jpg

[Papa]

I originally had installed nutserts along the sides and had planned to attach the top using stainless hardware. After getting the top back from the upholstery shop, I changed my mind and used a couple of strips of this:

3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener TB3550 250/250 Black, 1 in x 10 ft (2 Mated Strip/Bag) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007OXK1AK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XxYRDbB68R0WC

It works very well and I don't have any screws along the sides, which gives a nice finished look.


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=95884&d=1540081011

Dave

[Avalanche325]

What is it you plan on having to get to on the top of the transmission? There is nothing there except the shifter, and you can get to that through the stock hole.