Billet Aluminum Trans Am console insert HOW TO! PICS!

[oldguy]

Here's something of interest for those who wish to make some hand made billet aluminum parts.

We wanted to trim out the auto shifter area with a brushed aluminum piece of billet to match the shift knob and some other subtle accents we are doing on the interior.

We decided to make this one by hand as we had the materials in stock and didn't want to wait on the waterjet.

The materials we used were 1/2" square 6061 T6 Bar stock. and some old 1/4" plate steel scraps we had lying around.

First thing we did was make a jig using the old shifter bezel.

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Then we had a jig to clamp and set the bar stock in

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After TIG welding and rough grinding.

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Using the original piece to trace the pattern for the corners

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Corners trimmed and sanded/filed

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More sanding, filing, etc.

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Finished piece, all without any machine work. All done by hand. The edges have a full radius on them which is not apparent in the photo's

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Installed in the car. You will notice no bolts or screws to hold it down. We used 45 guass Neo magnets, 1 in each corner.

Fits nicely with just enough accent

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Hope this helps someone who might want to try it themselves.

Follow the build thread

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?90866-Project-X-CLEAN-1981-Trans-Am-2nd-Gen-LS2-6-spd

[TMIproducts]

Way too cool! I think the key here is making sure you're very precise with your jig and welding. Obviously that's part of the look with machined is how precise they are.

[oldguy]

Thanks!

As you can see it looks like a machined part, just done by hand.... :-)

[bhcustomdesigns]

Very nice!:twothumbs

[Chadman27]

Nice work!

[oldguy]

Nice work!

Thanks to all for the compliments.

[70Uglybird]

I think u should make another one.... I'm interested to see what u use for a shift boot, I'm facing that delima.

[T_Raven]

That looks really good. I love to see people find low buck ways to make what looks like a high dollar part.

[BonzoHansen]

Sweet

I'm nutty. First thing I saw here is an 81 only auto console!

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I think u should make another one.... I'm interested to see what u use for a shift boot, I'm facing that delima.

Me too. And I might be interested in buying one lol. Mine is not nearly as nice!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/IMG_1796Small-1.jpg

Note map pocket - that is the difference in that 81 model above, that is where the ECM was hidden in the 81s. For you non-2nd gen types lol

[chuckd71]

Very cool, nice looking piece.

[oldguy]

I think u should make another one.... I'm interested to see what u use for a shift boot, I'm facing that delima.

Only one !!

We are going to use a mid rise leather boot. Similar to a Lokar

[70Uglybird]

Is the boot something you are fabbing up or something I could buy? Year One has a similar trim piece but no boot offered for it. That interior looks pretty amazing.

[oldguy]

Is the boot something you are fabbing up or something I could buy? Year One has a similar trim piece but no boot offered for it. That interior looks pretty amazing.

Thanks for the compliment. We are making the boot specifically for the bezel. It will be a one off. The boot itself is pretty easy to make. I'm sure you could get a local upholstery shop to make you one for under $50.

[Barrrf]

Thats a good looking piece! Nicely done with no machining.

Is it a billet piece if it was made from several pieces? I think, technically, it would have to be made from one piece of bar with no welding to be called billet? Is that right?

[oldguy]

Thats a good looking piece! Nicely done with no machining.

Is it a billet piece if it was made from several pieces? I think, technically, it would have to be made from one piece of bar with no welding to be called billet? Is that right?

Thank you.

I guess that's a question with different perspectives. Are billet hood hinges one piece? Billet engine drive systems?

It is made of several pieces of billet aluminum or bar stock. I would personally call it billet.

[oldblu68]

Nice. Like the choice of console too. Looks great.