ok by popular demand and many PM's i am writing up and displaying how to do this...

throughout this i will label EF/EL console as EL and EA/EB?ED console as EB

firstly you will need:
1x EB console
1x EL console
Fibreglass kit i grabbed a fairly small 1 about $40 worth
Bog- body filler - (I used Selleys PlastiBond about double or triple price)
Sand Paper
and lots more!!! not really

STEP 1 - Measuring.
Before removing the EB console find a spot beside the dash under the stereo surround on either side as a starting point (I used the corner where dash meets console furthest to the rear of the car)

Then draw a line with a level (car doesnt need to be on a level surface, but the line u draw has to be plumb!!!) this is so that when doing the same on the EL console the lines are in the same place and angle!!

Now remove the console and install the EL Console base. this is a big white base that sits on the floor of the car under the console (EB's do not have this!!!) You will easily find where this base sits and with small self tapping steel screws fasten in place.

Now sit the EL console in and put the shifter surround on and locate where the console must sit so that selector shows correct gear (If manual this process is un-neccesary) once position is found fasten down with duct tape or screws but this is only temporary!!!

Now draw the line as you did on EB console... STEP 1 Complete



STEP 2 - Cutting Consoles
Now cut along the line of the EB console REMEMBER!! you need the small section of this console so always cut on the waste side and feather back!! i used a 9inch grinder for the initial cuts and then a 4inch grinder with flap disc to feather back but do as you please!

with the EL console do not cut along the line sit the EB section of the EL so that lines meet up. Then cut off excess over-hang (this will provide a base for fibreglassing on the inside!



STEP 3 - Joining Consoles
Once all the cutting is done temperarally join the consoles together (I used screwsbut you could always use glue or something but screws is probably best so you can remove and replace at anytime to re-adjust.

Before fibreglassing put the temperarally joined console back in the car and check that everything meets and sits correctly... Once you are happy with how it sit it is then time to move to step 4!!!



STEP 4 - Fibreglassing and bogging
If you are un-familiar with fibreglassing I suggest you give it a go. I Had never done it before and was s**t myself but now I'm thinking about building a house outta the stuff (not litterally) Its piss easy and very effective. Firstly using a grinder or rough sandpaper roughen the area getting fibreglassed and bog up any massive dips.

Now fibreglass the inside!!! Follow the instructions on the fibreglass kit carefully the better you follow the better the result!!! Let this dry over night before bogging

to do this part the panel that goes onto the console before the shift surround must be on and screwed (never to be removed) sorry but i believe its the only way!! As shown in the images fill all gaps with bog,.. Go silly put heaps on,.. then sand,.. and fill,.. and sand,.. and fill,.. and sand till its nice and gapless!!! (remember to remove the screws temperarally holding the console together and fill them too!!)



STEP 6 - Finishing
Once this is complete it is ready to be painted!!! sorry origional grey has to go unless you can find a colour match! re-install and enjoy!!!

Ohh 1 more problem!!! To do this you must also change the carpet!! use EL carpet but remember that rear brackets for seats are slightly different (I overcame this and I believe you can 2!!)

 

 

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File comment: Join join 3.JPG [ 78.54 KiB | Viewed 802 times ]

File comment: Join join4.JPG [ 67.09 KiB | Viewed 736 times ]

File comment: Filling (I used hair dryer to speed up the procces) bog.JPG [ 77.26 KiB | Viewed 808 times ]

File comment: Filler Sanded bog sanded.JPG [ 59.99 KiB | Viewed 765 times ]

File comment: COMPLETED and PAINTED complete and painted.JPG [ 61.8 KiB | Viewed 1013 times ]

Awesome work mate.

That looks tops.

Will have to try this at some time.

BenJ

Great work mate! I was trying to figure out how you did this after seeing the original photos!

Dont you also loose the rear air vents as well as the EF/EL airducts run under the carpet and not in the console.

please read thoroughly because i did install this my rear vents work fine

My bad, missed that bit.

Yep, well done - this should be posted in the Tech documents section.
Biggest advantage of this over an AU console install is that you retain the power window switch position in the console.

Satin Dark Grey vinyl paint will match exactly the Luna mist light grey colour of the EF/EL console. I think there are a few brands - Septone (Supercrap auto) do this colour.

That looks unreal! You've got me inspired to do this myself now!
Can you please post up some photos of it installed in the car, I'd like to see how it suits and lines up with the dash.

Cheers.

I know it has been a long time since the last post.. But. Do you know if this would work with a XF?

i know alot of people fit AU centre consoles to XH utes... so i dont see why you couldnt fit a AU one, and that doesnt require any cutting or filling


from this thread
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Cheers Cam

wow that was one of my first mods holy moly

hey do you know if you have to actually use el carpet or can you make it fit . thanks
andrew

You must use the EF/EL carpet as it is molded to fit over the plastic support required for the console.

Cheers
BenJ

ahhh bugga and another problem i have just found is that i have a auto and i have the el base in and it wont go any more forward to get the gear in the right place do i cut at the base so i can get my gear or something else .
cheers
Andrew

Are you using the EF/EL console with the EA-ED dash?

I had to butcher the lower square a/c air exit of the EA-ED dash to get it to fit right, which was fine for me as I was putting in the EF/EL dash later.

Cheers
BenJ