smac
02-01-2012, 05:15 PM
Bored so thought I'd stick this up, not got that many pics but will do my best to explain the process.
First thing to do is cut the two side panels out of whatever material you choose, I used plastic, I believe oldcafe used wood when doing his.
6mm was the width I went for.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1093.jpg
The dimension along the top is 770mm
The slope where they meet the rear bulkhead is 1:1.25 (or just trace it from your original console)
Cant remember the slope where it meets the tombstone but this can be easily worked out from your original console.
Widths of the sides are 62mm and then moving up to 100mm (120mm may also be possible without issue)
Use your original center console to work out where it widens out, if you lay your new side panel down flat and place your original console on top you can trace the exact shape.
Next you need to make a frame to hold it all together, I used timber for this, it is basically a figure 8.
Unfortunatly I dont have any pics of the actual construction process, but the pics below should give a pretty good idaea of whats involved.
I just glued the timber to the plastis sides useing a mixture of superglue and wood glue, I was also going to use screws but decided it was planty strong with just the glue.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1260.jpg
You will need to 'step' the frame as seen here to allow the top panel to fit flush or slightly recessed with the sides, I stepped mine by about 5mm and used 3mm plastic for the top panel.
At the rear you will have to cut part of the frame out to allow it to cleat the trunk and fuel release caps.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1259.jpg
Next thing you have to do is find a way to support the console.
The front is easy, just drill two holes in the same location as the originals and use the original screws to hold in place.
To support mine at the rear I decided to build a cubby box, the base of which would rest on the tranny tunnel keeping it level.
To do this set the console in place and attach at the front useing the original screw points, it should be sitting pretty much level but use a sprit level just to be sure.
Once your happy that its level measure form the top of the console to the highest part of the tunnel, this will be the measurement to the bottom of your cubby box.
The pics below give an idea on how to construct the cubby box, its simple enough stuff, I used some thin fibreboard and gave it a flocked finish.
Again, you will need to cut a notch out of the base to accomodate the boot and fuel levers.
The hinged armrest is optional.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1263.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1262.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1261.jpg
Finally add some more bracing wherever possible, once this is done you can remove a section from the original frame to accomodate the handbrake
Now just attach the top panel and your done, what materials you use is up to you as is the finish, I just painted mine with some satin black, but you could cover it with leather or whatever too.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1121.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/DSCF1212.jpg
This actually isnt that difficult to do, you can be as rough as you like in the construction (mine is pretty messy) It doesnt matter as it all going to be covered.
I realise Im probably missing the odd dimension here and there but its too cold to go out and take measurements at the moment :cold:
First thing to do is cut the two side panels out of whatever material you choose, I used plastic, I believe oldcafe used wood when doing his.
6mm was the width I went for.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1093.jpg
The dimension along the top is 770mm
The slope where they meet the rear bulkhead is 1:1.25 (or just trace it from your original console)
Cant remember the slope where it meets the tombstone but this can be easily worked out from your original console.
Widths of the sides are 62mm and then moving up to 100mm (120mm may also be possible without issue)
Use your original center console to work out where it widens out, if you lay your new side panel down flat and place your original console on top you can trace the exact shape.
Next you need to make a frame to hold it all together, I used timber for this, it is basically a figure 8.
Unfortunatly I dont have any pics of the actual construction process, but the pics below should give a pretty good idaea of whats involved.
I just glued the timber to the plastis sides useing a mixture of superglue and wood glue, I was also going to use screws but decided it was planty strong with just the glue.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1260.jpg
You will need to 'step' the frame as seen here to allow the top panel to fit flush or slightly recessed with the sides, I stepped mine by about 5mm and used 3mm plastic for the top panel.
At the rear you will have to cut part of the frame out to allow it to cleat the trunk and fuel release caps.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1259.jpg
Next thing you have to do is find a way to support the console.
The front is easy, just drill two holes in the same location as the originals and use the original screws to hold in place.
To support mine at the rear I decided to build a cubby box, the base of which would rest on the tranny tunnel keeping it level.
To do this set the console in place and attach at the front useing the original screw points, it should be sitting pretty much level but use a sprit level just to be sure.
Once your happy that its level measure form the top of the console to the highest part of the tunnel, this will be the measurement to the bottom of your cubby box.
The pics below give an idea on how to construct the cubby box, its simple enough stuff, I used some thin fibreboard and gave it a flocked finish.
Again, you will need to cut a notch out of the base to accomodate the boot and fuel levers.
The hinged armrest is optional.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1263.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1262.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1261.jpg
Finally add some more bracing wherever possible, once this is done you can remove a section from the original frame to accomodate the handbrake
Now just attach the top panel and your done, what materials you use is up to you as is the finish, I just painted mine with some satin black, but you could cover it with leather or whatever too.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/PICT1121.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/manails/mx5/DSCF1212.jpg
This actually isnt that difficult to do, you can be as rough as you like in the construction (mine is pretty messy) It doesnt matter as it all going to be covered.
I realise Im probably missing the odd dimension here and there but its too cold to go out and take measurements at the moment :cold: