Sales@VetteEssentials.com
248-852-9030 (Office)
248-396-4173 (Cell)
1810 Star Batt Dr
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
www.vetteessentials.com



We are pleased to provide for you our installation instructions for Vette Essentials' custom console lid. We also invite you to review the many other products offered by Vette Essentials, including other custom leather products, as shown on our website: www.vetteessentials.com. Enjoy!


Disclaimers, etc.


  1. The following are one set of steps that you may use to install the Vette Essentials' custom console lid on a C5 Corvette. Alternatives may exist.
  2. Use these instructions at your own risk and be careful not to damage your new or existing parts.
  3. This entire console lid install will likely take on the order of 15 to 30 minutes.
  4. Neither Vette Essentials nor anyone affiliated with it or the formation of these instructions takes any responsibility for the results or effects achieved by following these instructions.

Specific core information for this project


Many Vette Essentials items require the return of a core item (i.e., the original factory part), so be careful not to damage the part you are replacing because if it is damaged so that it cannot be used by Vette Essentials then you may also owe to Vette Essentials the value of the core. Unless arrangements have been made to the contrary, you are required to return your stock console lid including all of the plastic support piece, padding, and upper vinyl covering, to Vette Essentials. Specifically, as shown below, you will be removing from your Vette an assembly from the console that includes two pieces, the bottom of which you will re-use with the Vette Essentials' custom console lid. The top portion should be returned in its entirety to Vette Essentials. Thus, do not disturb the vinyl upper surface or the padding underneath it. Further, to be an acceptable core, the vinyl must be in smooth condition, with no tears or burns. If your stock console lid does not comply with these requirements, please call Vette Essentials to discuss your options.

Printing these instructions


You might find it might helpful to print these instructions so that you can take them out to work on your 'Vette. For most folks, these instructions should print out in a readable form simply by choosing "File" and then "Print" on your web browser. Alternatively, you may save some office supplies and some stress if you print these directions in landscape orientation. For those not familiar with that, at the top of your browser choose "File", then choose "Print." A window opens up with print options, and one option should say "Properties." Choose that "Properties" option, and there now will be several tabs to choose from -- select the one that says "Paper." This will bring up several options about the paper, one of which that is "Orientation." Click on "landscape," click "okay" once which will take you back to the print window, and then hit "okay" again. This should start the printing process.

Viewing larger pictures


If you want to see any of the pictures below in enlarged form, then just single click on the picture. When you're finished looking at an enlarged picture, hit the "Back" button on your browser.

Let's get started

Here's our tools, from left to right:
  1. Phillips screwdriver
  2. protective cloth
Step 1: The basic stock console lid. Say goodbye, as soon it will be much nicer looking! >
Step 2: Console lid assembly removal. Open the console and in the hinge you will see four Phillips head screws. Remove each of these four screws. The lid assembly will then be free from the hinge and can be taken to a work surface for the next steps.
Step 3a: Console lid assembly separation. Position the protective cloth on a work surface and then position the stock lid upside down on the protective cloth so you have access to the surface shown in the photo. There is an engagement hook and it is retained by two Phillips screws. Notice for sake of later re-attachment that the orientation of the hook is pointing toward the front of the lid. Remove these two screws.
Step 3b: There are five more Phillips screws shown in the photo, and they retain the two parts of the assembly together. Remove each of these five screws. Note that these screws are of different dimension than the two you removed in step 3a. Once the five screws are removed, the assembly easily pulls apart. The upper part that supports the panel and vinyl is the core that you are to return to us; Vette Essentials recommends that you soon wrap it in bubble wrap or a suitable protective covering so that you may protect it for shipment back to Vette Essentials. Lastly, note that there are two pins that also provide alignment of the top and bottom lid components.
Step 4a: New lid assembly. Place the new Vette Essentials' lid leather-side down on the protective cloth, and then align the holes in the underlying piece with the holes on the leather-covered lid, where the step 3b pins also should align as shown earlier.
Step 4b and 4c: Re-insert the screws from step 3b followed by those from step 3a. See the photos for steps 3b and 3a.
Step 5: Re-installation into interior. Take the entire assembly and return to your car. Orient the hinge in the console upward so you can align its holes with the lid assembly. You also may want to disengage your emergency brake to keep it out of the way during this step. Of course, if your car is a 6-speed, make sure the car is in gear when you disengage the emergency brake so that the car does not roll. Once at least one of the hinge holes is aligned with a lid hole, then re-insert the corresponding Phillips screw and tighten it part of the way. Repeat with the remaining three screws, ultimately tightening each of them to an appropriate degree.
Step 6: Stop and admire your work. Next, ask yourself what else you need from Vette Essentials to further enhance your Vette!!

That's all folks. Peace.



Copyright 2002-2003 Vette Essentials, LLC
Reproduction permitted for purposes of installing Vette Essentials' products

web page design by -- S. Levine