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