IROC Wagon Project

[Longroof79]

I've always thought that style of F-body console looked like a nice fit in a G-body car. I did know someone that had one in a Malibu coupe and also fitted the handbrake in the F-body position. I like it better than the foot applied parking brake.
The console looked great in his car.
I've come across those consoles at the local junkyard a few times over the years, but they were trashed.

Looks great, Scott. Keep up the good work as usual. :wink:

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

This afternoon was about finishing the shifter cover on the tunnel. After welding all the holes from the G-Body cover, I installed the F-Body (IROC) cover. This isn't without its own set of issues but they're easier to deal with.

The IROC five speed shifter cover is made of thick rubber or composite with steel or composite reinforcements where they're needed. It's designed to bolt to the tunnel opening in an F-Body but in my case, the cover is screwed to the floor.

One of the nice attributes of the T5 transmission is you only need a relatively small hole in the floor. The through hole doesn't need to be nearly as large as the old days with a four speed transmission side mounted linkage. Smaller hole in the floor means less road noise.

The issue now is that one of the console cross braces lands an inch into the rubber. Not to be defeated, I drilled out the rivets and relocated the cross brace rearward several inches. I'm making these modifications now to the console I'm actually using. The dummy console served its purpose. I took my die grinder and trimmed about two inches from the console in the front where it meets up with the dash. I'll get photos of the console modifications next time.

Another point I'll make on the F-Body console, they're flimsy, they crack easily when manhandled but are also easy to repair. I used some two part epoxy to fix several cracks and one break on the piece I'm using. It's all hidden by the upper console or carpet on the outside. Once I get all the repairs done, brackets moved, I can tack weld the brackets to the tunnel, mount the console and start to work on the park brake mounting. ...

:arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

 

[clean8485]

Scott, thanks for the photos and update. You're using a T5 transmission from an F body, is that correct? Is that a Hurst shifter on the transmission? I'm looking at the photo, just trying to see where exactly where the shifter is located in the interior. You're saying that the shifter that you're using locates the shifter lever further forward and over toward the passenger side?. It looks good with the console in there. Are you going to have to change the contour of the console at the bottom where it meets the floor?

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

Hey Clean,

I am using a T5 transmission from an 89 IROC (F body). That is a Hurst shifter lever with a base from Core Shifters, same basic base as Hurst for less money.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0617298237

The base Chris provided moves the shifter forward a little in the opening. A 3/8 inch spacer (I have not installed yet) will move the lever over 3/8 of an inch toward the passenger side and away from the side of the console in the opening. Currently I have a 1/4 inch clearance which is too close to the side of the opening to suit me.

As far as the bottom contour is concerned, I hadn't planned on adding any material up to this point but the more I look it over, the less I like the IROC floor contour on the console. I'll be running the carpet straight acoross on the bottom to appear as though the console was made for the car so if I need to add a strip to stiffen it up, I'll rivet on a two inch extension of plastic along the bottom edge. I have to do something in the rear anyway to close it out, so it shouldn't be a big yank.

By the time the fatmat is installed on the floor and with the jute on the back of the carpet, I'm hoping it'll look like it came in the car. ...

Scott, ... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink:

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

Hey Jack,

One of the cool things about a hand brake is the control a person can have over the car. That's kinda what the drifters use. If you've ever driven a front wheel drive car in snow or ice and grabbed a handful of the park brake, you can literally turn the car in circles or at least 180 around. Not what I plan to do with the car but always like to keep my options open.

On another note, the run channel for a Caprice wagon is made from basically the same material as a Malibu but the Caprice wagon glass is smaller? I know, that's what I said. I have one NOS front window run channel for a Malibu and I purchased a set of after-market Caprice wagon run channel. The long side (up and down) was the same length. Across the top however was several inches too short on the Caprice wagon run channel. (photo attached - Malibu run channel on the top)

I have some photos, started to post it all then lost power and lost all my work. Just haven't had the gumption to do it all over again. Does make me wonder though if a regular Caprice window would be the same size. Don't really have the budget to keep buying parts to find out but I'm in the same boat as everyone else, my run channel is shot. I am considering sending my NOS piece to Rubber Done the Right Way to determine if they can build us what we need. ...

Scott, ... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :?

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

TC,

It takes some finessing but it really does fit up nice to the G-Body dash. The width is identical. I had to whack about two and a half inches off the top of the F-Body console where the radio or heater control would normally sit. Short of that, the cross member brace in the floor even lines up with the F-Body. ...

Scott, ... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :shock:

 

[Chopper]

I'll be curious to see what you do with the console AC control hole and do you plan to install the heat ducts to the console vents? I have this same console and plan to do the same mods someday. Nice job a salute from Michigan. It's 36 here right now and spring is finally coming. I'm sure it is much nicer where you are. 😢

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

Hey Chopper,

I'm from Michigan originally and I was just there last week for a meeting at the RenCen in Detroit. I was using the ledge next to the glass in my room at the RenCen Marriott to keep my Vernors cold. Worked really well too. Had a view of the Detroit river flowing one day and sheets of ice flowing the next. Don't miss that one bit. Been in Arizona sixteen years and haven't had to shovel sunshine once!

Haven't decided what Im going to use that space for but I do have a couple of ideas pending. I do plan to use the vents in the console, even bought the crossover piece that didn't come with my console. I'll just make a tee and make all the OE stuff work and add the console vents as well. Biggest thing for me right now is getting the console mounted so I can move on with the rest of the stuff I need to get done. ...

Scott, ... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :|

 

[Chopper]

Yes Scott I read this whole thread and seen you were from Michigan working for GM I assume from the pics of the prototype wagon T/A. I'm from Midland. You might remember Midland from back in the day if you ever drove through it in the late 70's because of stinky Dow Chemical. No stink anymore. Yaaa. Keep truckin on the great project.

GO Blue! Or Sparty if you prefer...Leo.

 

[clean8485]

Hey Scott,
Thanks very much for your response, and the link to Core Shifters. I've got a 1981 Iraqi Malibu with the V6 & 3 speed, and I'm eventually planning on swapping in a 4.3 V6 & S10 5 speed. I got the S10 T5, because I'm looking for a transmission that will have the shifter coming out in the stock location as closely as possible. Having the info on Core Shifters will be helpful.
I asked about the lower contour of the console because the photo that you posted from the rear of the console showed quite a difference between the contour of the floor and the console. Your explanation cleared that up, thanks.