Center Console Replacement/Improvement

[Moparzone4]

I have an original center console from my 69 Charger that has the typical crack on the rear top surface, most likely from rear seat passengers pressing down on it as they enter/exit the car.

Repops are available, and I am thinking of going that route, but would be interested in seeing if anyone has come up with a way to reinforce this area from underneath, so the new console does not suffer the same fate as the original one.

Any ideas? Bond in a metal plate underneath? Heavy thickness of fiberglass on the inner surface?

Mike

 

[gkent]

Forget fiberglass, the console is ABS plastic and fiberglass won't stick to it. In fact, not much will. I had just such a dilemma with a console I have and after internet searches the solution I came up with was to make an ABS "slurry" using chips of abs in a jar with some acetone. There is no specific recipe, just start with some acetone and add chips. If the mix is too thin add more chips or vice versa. After some trial and eroor I found its best to rough up the surface pretty good or the new layer will just peel off once its dried. I didn't do this but there was one video where the guy used some screen material to add strength and I think that's a great idea. He used nylon but if I were doing it I'd opt for metal (aluminum).

 

[493 Mike]

I am not familiar with the design of that piece. Is it functional or merely decorative? If the latter perhaps it could be filled with expanding foam?
Mike

 

[Moparzone4]

I stole this pic from the post previous to mine in this same section, which is what prompted me to put my question out there. You can see the same crack in the upper surface of this members console as well.

I tried the ABS slurry trick on a past grill repair, and it seemed to work out well. This would be a whole lot more slurry, but should be doable.

Thanks for the idea!

Mike

 

[donbmopar]

Don't let your girlfriend sit on it.

 

[451Mopar]

I made a sheet metal reinforcement and JB Epoxy it to the underside of the console.

 

[Dennis H]

This. Got one. It’s killer.

FOR SALE Post in thread 'Drink holder for 67 - 70 Chargers, Coronets, Roadrunners and GTX'

Mar 6, 2025

I can do black trim with silver middle.

Email me at ............................... with what you want and your shipping address.

When it's ready you can paypal me or mail a check.

• vanceboy

Lighter. Still have storage. 2 Cup holders and phone stow.

 

[Roadhog51]

Don't let your girlfriend sit on it.

Or have her go on a DIET!!

 

[Dave6T4]

The old racer's fender trick; HANDS OFF! FIBERGLASS sticker. LOL.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Mine was busted up pretty bad and missing a big chunk. I plastic welded it back together and added in the missing piece using an old abs plastic battery box. It had cracks in the sides like yours too. Those cracks can be fixed easily by using some thin stainless mesh (dollar store cooking section) and press it in from the back side with a bolt head heated red hot. I put some pics of this in the “what did you do to tour Mopar today” thread.
Go slow so as to not warp it.

 

[Coelacanth]

Mine was also busted up; here's my budget fix. Years ago, I found another beat-up burgundy console (plastic section only) but the rear section was in pretty good shape other than a corner crack. I chopped off the rear section, repaired the corner from the inside with JB Weld, then securely bolted it to the main console with 4 bolts. After repainting the whole thing with SEM Trim Black, I think only the purists would notice it.

That said, I don't think it would be too difficult to brace it with something bolted from the underside of the metal rear plate, if people are gonna be that rough on it...