I have a console (Sandlewood) out of an original unmodified 86 VL Executive and wondered if anyone else had noticed differences in the consoles before? I have another console (Blue) that made me notice the differences Front part under the dash is taller and has a different cut out (http://s494.photobucket.com/user/SteveVL/media/VL%20Consoles/2013-12-15204922.jpg.html) It is also taller towards the dash on both sides (http://s494.photobucket.com/user/SteveVL/media/VL%20Consoles/2013-12-15204851-1.jpg.html) It also has a cover at the back and is also slightly wider (http://s494.photobucket.com/user/SteveVL/media/VL%20Consoles/2013-12-15205110.jpg.html) And under the cover has fins (http://s494.photobucket.com/user/SteveVL/media/VL%20Consoles/2013-12-15205045.jpg.html) Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

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Yeah, there are about five different types all up, most before July 1986. The biggest change though is from December 1986 onwards when Holden raised the transmission hump for the V8 engines. Cars before then had quite a tall console forward of the gearstick. Cars after that have quite a narrow one, and an early one will not fit well into a later car.

I recall reading somewhere that the "series 2" had a shorter T bar... might be related to a console change? maybe earlier they had a higher console to accommodate?

that's go to to know I thought they were all the same

The auto shifters are all the same. The early ones (pre-12/86) attach inside the car. The later ones, with the enlarged trans tunnel, attach underneath the floor between the floor and the gearbox. ---------- Post added 05-01-14 at 18:22 ---------- As for the other consoles I've found... Type 1. Deep Console with Rear Support Fins for Lower Rear Fillet Piece and Two Holes in Front Tray filled by painted black plastic plugs (1/86). Type 2. Deep Console with Rear Support Fins for Lower Fillet Piece. No holes in front tray. (at least until 6/86) Type 3. Deep Console. No Rear Support Fins. No Lower Rear Fillet Piece. No holes in front tray (at least from 7/86) Type 4. Shallow Console (12/86 onwards).

The early shifters (pre Dec '86) are cable operated and the sticks are actually longer. The cable runs along the top of the trans tunnel inside and through a hole, to the right, in front of the console which explains the cut out in the front of that '86 sandalwood console. The later shifters are shorter and have solid linkage rods. The linkages go straight through the plate under the shifter and connect to the box. The cable operated ones can feel rather crude and sloppy to use compared to the linkage type. I've come across a couple of cable types that like to get stuck in Park. The linkage type you can also bang back to second from drive without having to pull up the T-bar. ---------- Post added 05-01-14 at 19:56 ---------- The early shifters (pre Dec '86) are cable operated and the sticks are actually longer. The cable runs along the top of the trans tunnel inside and through a hole, to the right, in front of the console which explains the cut out in the front of that '86 sandalwood console. The later shifters are shorter and have solid linkage rods. The linkages go straight through the plate under the shifter and connect to the box. The cable operated ones can feel rather crude and sloppy to use compared to the linkage type. I've come across a couple of cable types that like to get stuck in Park. The linkage type you can also bang back to second from drive without having to pull up the T-bar.

Quote: Originally Posted by VL_JOHN [View Post] The early shifters (pre Dec '86) are cable operated and the sticks are actually longer. The cable runs along the top of the trans tunnel inside and through a hole, to the right, in front of the console which explains the cut out in the front of that '86 sandalwood console. The later shifters are shorter and have solid linkage rods. The linkages go straight through the plate under the shifter and connect to the box. The cable operated ones can feel rather crude and sloppy to use compared to the linkage type. I've come across a couple of cable types that like to get stuck in Park. The linkage type you can also bang back to second from drive without having to pull up the T-bar.[COLOR="Silver"] I didn't bother explaining all that, but yes. You will still find the actual shifter is the same though for both early and late, just the floor has been raised giving the impression they are different.

So on this... which is all good to know! Can an early auto box (with the cable) be put into a later model? ie, i have an Aug 86 (i think) turbo auto trans I was going to put into my late 87 build car ( i noticed the tunnells were different just thought it was due to the later one being a factory manual) rather than auto.

Quote: Originally Posted by xctmnt8 [View Post] So on this... which is all good to know! Can an early auto box (with the cable) be put into a later model? ie, i have an Aug 86 (i think) turbo auto trans I was going to put into my late 87 build car ( i noticed the tunnells were different just thought it was due to the later one being a factory manual) rather than auto. The boxes are the same but I reckon the cable set up might not fit. Best to fit a linkage type while you're at it. They are much nicer to use and you will get one for peanuts at Upullit.