1971 Charger questions

[Wookie316]

Hello, I recently picked up a 1971 Charger 4 speed car. Well, picking it up in another week. Anyways, it is a non console shift car. My question is, what needs to be done to put a console in? Is it a matter of putting the console in, welding the brackets in & changing the pistol grip shifter to the console shift version? Has anyone got a good "how to" link for me?

My other question is the door moulding by the glass? Is it the same on the door as it is on the small rear window? Looking for the Year One part numbers. i am missing the one on the passenger door & the one on the drivers rear window pillar. There is 4 screws holding each rubber moulding.

New to the forum guys, so Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[T2R9]

If it is an original bucket seat car it will have the correct short shifter and mounting location to accept a console. So its as easy as mounting the brackets and installing the console. If it had a bench or a buddy seat with buckets it will have a taller shifter with more of a curve to it. These shifters are mounted about 6 inches further forward and to install a console will require changing the floor hump, shifter handle, shifter rods, and mounting bracket.

The moldings are different between the door and the pillar, if they are one I think you are talking about.

 

[Wookie316]

It is supposed to be an original bucket seat car. I pick it up next weekend. Here are the photos I have been sent thus far. Does the shifter look like it is in the proper placement for a console? Thanks.

 

[moparmarks]

That hump is for the long bench seat shifter.

 

[71gtx]

your car did not come with bucket seat s

is bench seat car:headbang:

 

[Wookie316]

Ok, not the answer I was hoping for, but at least I know now. My next question is, can a guy get a new tunnel with the proper shifter location for a console shift anywher?
It is a project I have confidence in tackling as long as I can get the parts to do the swap.

 

[Wookie316]

Is this the correct hump I need?
http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/fbshopmain2.asp?cat=1
Thanks

 

[T2R9]

The hump is available. I believe it is the same as a E-body. Shiftier linkage is the same too. On the seal, its called a door jamb pillar seal and YO has one listed. http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/fbshopmain2.asp?cat=1 I do not find one for the door though. These are also pretty easy to find in nice shape on ebay.

 

[oxytousc]

Yeah, T2R9 is right...it's the same as the e-body. You'll also need the mounting plate. I'd check out brewersperformance.com. They have ALL the 4-speed parts you'll need, including the hump.

As for the moulding, I'd check out Dante's Mopar...he has those bits for sure.

Also, if you want to sell the shifter linkage for your shifter, let me know.

 

[Wookie316]

Am I just going to need the correct console pistol grip, trans tunnel & shifter rods? Not sure what you mean by the mounting plate though? Can you explain or post a photo? Thanks.

 

[oxytousc]

There is a mounting plate for the shifter to the tailshaft. It is different than the bucket seat car. http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SMP316

You'll also need the brackets for the console, which I believe are welded to the tunnel area, but I could be wrong on that one. Otherwise, yes. All you'll need is the correct tunnel, shifter handle and shift rods.

However, if you get under there and find out for some reason that the transmission isn't out of a 71-74 b/e car, you'll also have to replace the tailshaft. As T2R wrote, it'll be easy to tell there will be two sets of mounting bosses on the tail shaft...one where the shifter is currently located and one towards the rear of the car and on the other side of the shaft, I believe.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Another clue that the car never had buckets originally is the lack of reinforcement plates welded to the floor around the inner seat track holes.

 

[Wookie316]

Another clue that the car never had buckets originally is the lack of reinforcement plates welded to the floor around the inner seat track holes.

Thanks for the photo. I appreciate that. I now know something else that needs to be done. You don't have the measurements of those plates by chance do you? Thanks.

 

[myaerocars]

Isn't the carpet going to be different as well due to the hump size and location? Maybe another thing to add to the list to be changed.... just wondering out loud...

JON

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Thanks for the photo. I appreciate that. I now know something else that needs to be done. You don't have the measurements of those plates by chance do you? Thanks.

Not handy right this min. check out Rocket Resto Ebay offering for them.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Isn't the carpet going to be different as well due to the hump size and location? Maybe another thing to add to the list to be changed.... just wondering out loud...

JON

Yes, the correct carpet will will be different.

 

[oxytousc]

Isn't the carpet going to be different as well due to the hump size and location? Maybe another thing to add to the list to be changed.... just wondering out loud...

JON

Good catch...it is absolutely different carpet.

 

[T2R9]

With all the changes needed for a console I would just add a buddy seat and correct bench pistol grip and rock! Nothing like a arm rest behind a 4 speed!

 

[myaerocars]

my car was converted to a 4 speed before I bought it. They used a console floor hump but with no brackets. . I prefer a bench seat shifter but would have to change a lot to get it. I doubt I will ever change it now given the cost. .....

If Wookie316 was closer I'd saw lets do a swap! Ha ha..

Godspeed,
JON

 

[oxytousc]

Or, if you want a console, why don't you just fab something up. I saw a really cool one that a guy did for his roadrunner, can't remember where though. He made a model with cardboard, mocked it all up. Then cut it out of MDF. He put some cup holders in, blah, blah, blah...had the MDF covered by an upholstery shop. He had the piping match and everything. Looked really cool and pretty stock. I think it cost him a couple of hundred bucks and some time. It will be a hell of a lot cheaper then swapping to a console shift car.