Question about GT3 Console delete install

[CharlesGordon]

I’m sure a few of you have done the console delete installation, I wonder if you might have any tricks. “Deleting” the console was quite simple; I did it about a month ago and have been enjoying the increased space while waiting (seemingly forever) for the parts to come from Suncoast.

The problem now is that the large carpeted piece is huge, and no matter how I squeeze it I can’t get it it far enough into the dash for the side pieces near the shifter to slip under the main shifter console assembly (the big one which contains the ashtray and storage). Do I actually have to remove this to do the install? (yuck)

And yes, I have removed the 2 side pieces from the console delete piece. This thing is a pain! Seems overdone to me.

[CharlesGordon]

To answer my own question, tonight I found I definitely needed to loose up the central console. I was actually going to remove the whole thing, but it turned out that I could not find a couple of screws somewhere in the back third of the unit.

The worst part of the job was that the new console cover section had undersized holes. I drilled them out with a 1/4 inch bit and that worked fine.

[mjbliemel]

How about some pictures of the console delete? I have never quite understood what this whole console delete business is about. Some pics of the finished results would be useful.

[red*farm]

Anyone find a great price for the trim piece you need after the install?

Charles had the part # as 98655224102A03.

I priced it @ $35 from the local dealer.

[CharlesGordon]

$19.95 from Suncoast. But you'd have to add shipping to that.

[red*farm]

Thanks for checking Charles.

Decide to go with a different approach.

I did the console delete a couple of days ago. Wow...what a difference! I place the stereo DSP unit behind the bracket the delete sits on. I didn't fit in between the delete and the bracket.

I wish I would have done this on my 98 when I had it.

So as you can see from this and other posts the amount of leg room is awesome and the place where the little $35 trim piece should go in front of the shifter now has a nifty spiffy cup holder instead.

:dance:

[red*farm]

not a lot of frills just no more spills

[CharlesGordon]

Very nice approach! I've never seen that done before, but it is a perfect application.

So, where did you get the cupholder?

[red*farm]

$1.99 at Autozone. I'm sure you could get it at anyone old auto part store... this color plastic just happend to match almost perfectly.

I cut the upper back part off that sticks up about 2 inches with a hacksaw, lightly grinded the edges and drilled to holes thru the plastic bottom of the holder and screwed it into the console delete.

[jfmillr]

Cupholder is pretty cool...