Ok, Im in my fabrication quarter of welding in college and we are making so I guess that is where I got the idea to do this little project.

Currently I have a 99 6spd center console, I dont like the way it fits, plain and simple. So I was going through my garage the other day and ran across a couple small sheets of 1/8" aluminum diamond plate. One of the sheets just so happend to be the right size to make a custom shifter plate out of. I also still have a MINT center console to use!

So as soon as I can find a shifter plate (condition doesnt matter), I will start on my project. I plan on cutting some rectangles out for the power window, Ill also cut one out for the shifter patern (ill order a 6spd one from hawks), Ill have to make a bend, so ill have to determine how much shrinkage or growth there is in the metal so I can compansate for it ahead of time. when I put the shifter pattern in ill cut a square hole and spot weld a piece of aluminum under the plate, so the shifter pattern is recessed inside of the aluminum. Ill buy a brand new shifter boot from hawks. Ill also need to make a hole (Not sure on size yet) for the cigerette lighter.

Id also like to top it all off with a new shifter ****, probably a hurst aluminum.

has anyone seen any custom plates for one of these? Id be interested in seeing how much time and attention to detail there is

Im really excited to get started on it, I just need an old shifter plate!!!!

 

I think that this has been done before. As I recall a member on here did the whole interior using a ton of diamond plate. I think he actually built a completely new center console out of the stuff. He did a good job technically speaking but frankly it didn't look very good. It just doesn't "go with" our interiors. Don't let that discourage you. There is no harm in trying. If you don't like it you can switch back to your 4th generation console or the third generation console and standard shift plate.

I'm curious to see what your results are, but I have doubts about anyone being able to pull this off in a way that is tasteful or desirable enough to duplicate.

 

Would you be talking about this?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...r-console.html

If so, I see alot wrong with this plate, the cut lines are wavey, the bend is not the correct angle/in the right spot, the window switches arent straight, and the obvious, the shifter pattern is drawn in lol.

Honestly things like these take time to make look good, im not going to do it if it doesnt look good.

 

Yeah that's one of them. Another guy did a complete diamond plate interior. It was well built, but looked terrible.

 

any pictures of the diamond plate one?

 

Here is some that I found:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...ate-ideas.html

Oh here it is:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ml#post3184689

It looks pretty damned terrible in my opinion. If the sun reflects off that you'll go blind and crash. At least paint the stuff!

 

Hi, I agree that this is not something I would choose for my car. However, I have seen it done tastefully - once. The owner had recessed the edges of the trim pieces (as well as the mounting screws) and had the whole works powder coated flat black.

If you're looking for a welding project how about making a custom exhaust?

Or better yet, making one for me? LOL!