83-85 Upper Center Console Removal

[davery]

So I finally got into the glove box by cutting the glove box. Thankfully another member on this forum had an 83-85 glove box and I should get it by Friday. Anyway, I am trying to remove an old radio that doesn't seem to want to budge. I have tried feeling around in behind to see if it is attached, but can't feel anything. The radio slides forward about a half an inch, but no further. It almost seems like it is getting hung up on the plastic-wood grain piece, which is what I am trying to remove anyway. I tried removing the plastic piece with the radio, but it seems to be caught on the upper plastic piece. I'm thinking I am going to have to remove the entire upper center console. I thought there were screws behind the gauge cluster and glove box, but there doesn't seem to be any. How does the upper console come out? Can I (should I) remove the lower center console first? My goal is to remove the radio and get access to the trans tunnel for removal. Thanks.

[ekstrandt]

So the arrows show the direction the screws go in. The one behind the instrument cluster is a real pain, glovebox is easy. They are not far from the edge of the upper center console.You have to remove the Fake wood panel in the center to get to the next screws. So use whichever tool you want to pull back on the vents. Be careful as the fake wood can be brittle. Mark and disconnect switches, clock etc. the panel ends just above the radio. With that out of the way you can remove the the next two screws going from inside into the dash. You should also see what is holding your radio in and remove it. The next attachment for the upper center is under the radio. Its a bolt and nut dead center. loosen or remove and you will be able to take out the upper center console. After that the center console itself removes the same as all other spiders

[davery]

So the arrows show the direction the screws go in. The one behind the instrument cluster is a real pain, glovebox is easy. They are not far from the edge of the upper center console.You have to remove the Fake wood panel in the center to get to the next screws. So use whichever tool you want to pull back on the vents. Be careful as the fake wood can be brittle. Mark and disconnect switches, clock etc. the panel ends just above the radio. With that out of the way you can remove the the next two screws going from inside into the dash. You should also see what is holding your radio in and remove it. The next attachment for the upper center is under the radio. Its a bolt and nut dead center. loosen or remove and you will be able to take out the upper center console. After that the center console itself removes the same as all other spiders

Thanks for the info. The side screws were absent. I found a screw behind the clock. So the fake wood on the upper console is removable by pulling the vents and switches? That may be all I need, as the radio was installed by the PO and appears to be only attached to the fake wood.

[ORFORD2004]

One under the clock and two under the light over the radio.

[davery]

One under the clock and two under the light over the radio.

that's what i thought, but how to remove the light? It doesn't seem to want to pull out.

[ORFORD2004]

Small screwdriver or butter knife and you pry it out.

[davery]

So I finally broke the upper center console free, but it appears to be stuck on something. The upper part of the upper console moves, but the lower part of the upper console is hung up on something. It could be the aftermarket radio, which is what I am actually trying to remove. I can move the radio forward about half an inch, but no further. I felt around behind the radio and do not feel any attachments. I am trying to do two things, remove the non-functioning after market radio and removing the plastic "wood" piece around the shifter to allow access to the tran tunnel to remove the tran. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Here is a pic of the current situation.


On another note, when I pulled the upper faceplate I noticed a couple of plastic plugs not attached. I have not messed with the 30 year old plugs on the upper console as of yet. The red one appears to be similar to the hazard light plug. The two white ones might be a plug or could be some type of connector, I'm not sure. Anyone have any ideas what these are?

[ekstrandt]

There is bolt that holds the upper to the lower but it is under the radio. Have you googled "how to remove aftermarket radio" to get the idea of how they are attached? With what you have exposed the tabs should be fairly easy to get access to (famous last words).

As for the electrical connectors. What they are there for exactly may never be known. I have looked for awhile and have had the auto electric specialist in my area call their supplier of schematics and still come up empty handed. Most of the circuits are just like the 82 FIAT just some components are on different fuses. I will tell you that the red one has a dimmer circuit for your new radio. The others I am unsure and not motivated enough to trace them out. Everything works.

[davery]

There is bolt that holds the upper to the lower but it is under the radio. Have you googled "how to remove aftermarket radio" to get the idea of how they are attached? With what you have exposed the tabs should be fairly easy to get access to (famous last words).

As for the electrical connectors. What they are there for exactly may never be known. I have looked for awhile and have had the auto electric specialist in my area call their supplier of schematics and still come up empty handed. Most of the circuits are just like the 82 FIAT just some components are on different fuses. I will tell you that the red one has a dimmer circuit for your new radio. The others I am unsure and not motivated enough to trace them out. Everything works.

Update: I have given up trying to get the radio out. I've tried slipping a couple of slim knives on the sides and can't seem to get it to release. So I was thinking of just trying to remove the upper and lower console together. I have the lower console free, but now have to loosen the hand brake. I'm hoping once I loosen the hand brake I can remove the two consoles attached together. I've always wanted to rebuild the interior and it seems the time has come.

[vdesigner99]

Davery, have you tried by removing the lower side vent panels under the dash or from your pic use the large access above the radio. This will give you access to the back of the radio. Maybe from there you can push it out. I just rebuilt the lower and upper center consoles on my 84 and have experienced most of what you doing. I doubt you will be able to remove the upper and lower at the same time with out damaging something, the shifter and brake handle together will work against you.

Victor

[davery]

Davery, have you tried by removing the lower side vent panels under the dash or from your pic use the large access above the radio. This will give you access to the back of the radio. Maybe from there you can push it out. I just rebuilt the lower and upper center consoles on my 84 and have experienced most of what you doing. I doubt you will be able to remove the upper and lower at the same time with out damaging something, the shifter and brake handle together will work against you.

Victor

I can reach behind the radio, but still can get it out. The only option I see left (before I have to start cutting something) is trying to take out the upper and lower console together.

[ORFORD2004]

There is probably tabs that are bend all around. Try to reach them from the top and you'll be able to remove the rack with the radio.

[davery]

I finally got the thing out without too much damage. Even after get the lower plastic fascia out, I never understood what the issues was. I eventually just bent the flange and removed through the back of the flange. I did break a bit of the "wood" plastic, so I need to figure out what to do about this.

I do think the center console was broken when I bought the car. The section on the drivers side, by the pedals has never really looked correct. When I looked at the underside after removal, I see why. It looks like the backing has been cut back or broken and the plastic facing has been creased. I think I can fix this with some steel attached from behind. Maybe I can use a hot iron on the crease.

There also appears to be a slight bulge on the drivers side of the center console. Is this normal?

[ORFORD2004]

The control cables passes there.