DIY: Floating Console Modification

[chirowolf]

Did you use a Dremel to make the cuts in the tray?

Yes
Small blade did the job

 

[chirowolf]

This is the section I cut from the back of the long tray.
So a correction is needed. I did cut into the bottom of the tray slightly on the back.

This is roughly what the cut out looks like in the bottom of the laundry to fit the spacer into

This is the cutting disk I use and the sanding disc I used to clean up my cuts

 

[chirowolf]

Why? smh.

much like having a skeleton watch. Neat to see the mechanical workings and engineering involved. The engine is under glass for the same reason. The beauty of the car is more than skin deep. Heavan is in the details.

 

[Beachbum]

The engine is under glass, then covered up by an engine cover. I4 is terrible for this, V6 is only a tad better

 

[SocketMonkeyGarage]

Thanks for doing this, and for sharing such detailed guidance. One question, @kitkat: If one wanted to simply replace the shift boot, it appears that all that is required is to remove the shift knob and then swap out the boot. Or, is there more to it and I missed something?

 

[chirowolf]

The engine is under glass, then covered up by an engine cover. I4 is terrible for this, V6 is only a tad better

I don't disagree about the engine. Most cars now just having big plastic engine covers. At least on the V6 you get a view of the supercharger and some throttle components.
Even some of the more exotic cars show only a bit of valve cover or header.
With the advent of computer control and drive by wire I like that Lotus has decided to celebrate some of the analog components. KitKat and Silent Cilantro just enhanced the celebration by making the mechanical linkage a bit more evident.

Thanks for doing this, and for sharing such detailed guidance. One question, @kitkat: If one wanted to simply replace the shift boot, it appears that all that is required is to remove the shift knob and then swap out the boot. Or, is there more to it and I missed something?

you actually have to take the surround of the shift boot out. There are four bolts underneath that are required to be removed to take off the shift boot.
First you would take off the shift knob.

The entire plate around the shift boot and start button is just held on by clips that have to be slowly pry up

There is one cable that connects to the start button that should be disconnected.

Once you have the trim plate up, you will see the four screws on the bottom that release the shifter boot

Still a pretty easy process if you just go slow and slow slowly remove the panel

 

[kitkat]

Thanks for doing this, and for sharing such detailed guidance. One question, @kitkat: If one wanted to simply replace the shift boot, it appears that all that is required is to remove the shift knob and then swap out the boot. Or, is there more to it and I missed something?

Nope that's it, honestly a 5 minute thing.

 

[chirowolf]

The engine is under glass, then covered up by an engine cover. I4 is terrible for this, V6 is only a tad better

I don't disagree about the engine. Most cars now just having big plastic engine covers. At least on the V6 you get a view of the supercharger and some throttle components.
Even some of the more exotic cars show only a bit of valve cover or header.
With the advent of computer control and drive by wire I like that Lotus has decided to celebrate some of the analog components. KitKat and Silent Cilantro just enhanced the celebration by making the mechanical linkage a bit more evident.

 

[John777]

much like having a skeleton watch. Neat to see the mechanical workings and engineering involved. The engine is under glass for the same reason. The beauty of the car is more than skin deep. Heavan is in the details.

Wasn't designed that way.. I don't like doing 'fast n furious' type modifications. Call me a purist. I like the original intent and the way it was designed originally.. Same with all the stick on parts from Murrays auto.

 

[chirowolf]

Wasn't designed that way. I don't like doing 'fast n furious' type modifications. Call me a purist. I like the original intent and the way it was designed originally. Same with all the stick on parts from Murrays auto.

I think a very good argument could be made it was designed that way.
just doing what Colin said to do, "simplify and add Lightness". Removing plastic is not a mod but a necessity
People like what they like, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Enjoy your car and cheers

 

[silent cilantro]

Wasn't designed that way.. I don't like doing 'fast n furious' type modifications. Call me a purist. I like the original intent and the way it was designed originally.. Same with all the stick on parts from Murrays auto.

But… it was designed that way. It was the original intent.

 

[chirowolf]

But… it was designed that way. It was the original intent.


View attachment 62526

I thought I had seen those pictures before. Yep. soooo much better. +1 for Silent Cilantro

 

[Rapture]

So, I began the automatic tray install today. I've noticed after I cut the hole in the tray and placed it in position that my console trim that it is supposed to line up with it is skewed towards the driver's side. by this I mean there is a gap along the left side as it meets the carpeted trim area and is very tight on the right side. I'm done for the night but just thought I would post this. I'm going to look at it further tomorrow to see if perhaps that trim is somehow not installed properly. I did notice this prior withe the smaller cubby but that was less noticeable. It may just be this is just how it will fit for me, but the picture of Silent Cilantro's lines up very nicely.

 

[chirowolf]

So, I began the automatic tray install today. I've noticed after I cut the hole in the tray and placed it in position that my console trim that it is supposed to line up with it is skewed towards the driver's side. by this I mean there is a gap along the left side as it meets the carpeted trim area and is very tight on the right side. I'm done for the night but just thought I would post this. I'm going to look at it further tomorrow to see if perhaps that trim is somehow not installed properly. I did notice this prior withe the smaller cubby but that was less noticeable. It may just be this is just how it will fit for me, but the picture of Silent Cilantro's lines up very nicely.

Mine is just the opposite. tight on the passenger side and a very small gap on driver's side. May need to widen to bolt holes a bit and finesse it to get the perfect alignment. I think I'm the only one that would notice.

 

[silent cilantro]

There are clips on the inside of the carpet that clip into the tray. If those are misaligned there will prob be a gap

 

[Rapture]

There are clips on the inside of the carpet that clip into the tray. If those are misaligned there will prob be a gap

I saw those and tried to lock it in there but mine is so misaligned that it broke off the plastic on the new tray. I'm going to try to see if there is some adjustment that can be made on the console panel and if not just bolt it in place. Chirowolf is correct in that I will probably be the only one that notices.

 

[Rapture]

I'm wondering if there is an adjustment possible in step 24 of the attachment. It also may be step 26 however I am not removing the seats for this.

 

[KJD]

Installed the auto tray today. Some learnings if it helps anyone.

I wanted to try to make the cutout as neat as possible. I know it’s hidden by the rubber liner but why not…
Used a Dremel freehand with a plastic cutting bit.

There’s no need to cut out for the lower bolts. They sit under the raised bit of the tray.
There are two stiffening ribs underneath to remove to make it fit.
Install the black spacer first, then slide the tray in between it and the shifter.

Front of the cutout is 130mm back from the very front edge of the tray and it’s offset 5mm to the right.
Slot at the back is 22mm wide and central.

I also have a slight gap at the rear right between the tray and the carpet, just installation tolerances of the console I think. There are clips to hold the front bit together but none at the rear annoyingly.

As said above, could make the bolt holes a bit bigger to fettle it but it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to get the tray in so I’ll probably live with it.

 

[chirowolf]

Installed the auto tray today. Some learnings if it helps anyone.

I wanted to try to make the cutout as neat as possible. I know it’s hidden by the rubber liner but why not…
Used a Dremel freehand with a plastic cutting bit.

View attachment 63117

There’s no need to cut out for the lower bolts. They sit under the raised bit of the tray.
There are two stiffening ribs underneath to remove to make it fit.
Install the black spacer first, then slide the tray in between it and the shifter.

Front of the cutout is 130mm back from the very front edge of the tray and it’s offset 5mm to the right.
Slot at the back is 22mm wide and central.

View attachment 63118

I also have a slight gap at the rear right between the tray and the carpet, just installation tolerances of the console I think. There are clips to hold the front bit together but none at the rear annoyingly.

View attachment 63119

As said above, could make the bolt holes a bit bigger to fettle it but it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to get the tray in so I’ll probably live with it.

View attachment 63120

excellent job!!!

 

[silent cilantro]

Installed the auto tray today. Some learnings if it helps anyone.

I wanted to try to make the cutout as neat as possible. I know it’s hidden by the rubber liner but why not…
Used a Dremel freehand with a plastic cutting bit.

View attachment 63117

There’s no need to cut out for the lower bolts. They sit under the raised bit of the tray.
There are two stiffening ribs underneath to remove to make it fit.
Install the black spacer first, then slide the tray in between it and the shifter.

Front of the cutout is 130mm back from the very front edge of the tray and it’s offset 5mm to the right.
Slot at the back is 22mm wide and central.

View attachment 63118

I also have a slight gap at the rear right between the tray and the carpet, just installation tolerances of the console I think. There are clips to hold the front bit together but none at the rear annoyingly.

View attachment 63119

As said above, could make the bolt holes a bit bigger to fettle it but it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to get the tray in so I’ll probably live with it.

View attachment 63120

Great job!