step 1:

obtain flexible rubber ducting tube from a pontiac fiero in the junkyard. I THINK i used the rubber tube from the passenger side up under the front hood, kind of by the heater core hoses. (there is another section on the drivers side by the power brake booster). you need the one that has a nice long straight center section, well you need TWO of them .. one for each duct.

step 2: clean it up, cut off the ends (so you are left with a long straight section), use a tiny bit of vaseline or other oil product to lube the inside 2" of one end, and slip it over the heater duct tube, as shown:

 

step 3:

cut the heater duct tubes as shown. you have to "snap" them off the inside of the console, they are glued in a bit:

 

step 4:

assemble.

 

final step:

notice flexibility and increased room to flush mount radio:

also note the little red things. they are to space the screw out a tiny bit so the sharp end doesn't pierce the rubber tube.

 

conclusion:

no, there isn't a perfect air tight seal, the rubber tube just kind of "floats" in the (trimmed down) plastic ductwork, but the rubber duct is an almost perfect fit inside the plastic duct, so it's a pretty effective setup.

i felt it a more "permanent" fix than just duct-taping the ducts up, we all know how after a year or two, duct tape's adhesive gets really messy with heat and just makes a mess.

 

for comparison

 

Wonder if them zap straps could be used here...

should be a way to secure the tubes...


Excellent idea.

:hail:

 

the tube is a nice fit over the plastic spout (where the air comes from), I will bet money they never come off. I don't think it needs securing.

if I could have figured out a way to get the rubber flex tube to seal/mate against the plastic "grill" of the vent (the outer piece that you can see when everything is assembled), then the plastic cut duct woudn't have been necessary at all.

as it is, they seem to flow air just fine