Julie
moderator- for now anyway
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,671
- Reaction score
- 110
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Western Sydney, NSW
- Members Ride
- Blown VT Calais 355 + SC VY V6
Well I had this little guide I made for another forum I used to frequent and thought that it may be useful to some members here, so here goes... (sorry about the size of the pics if u r on dial-up like me I'll resize them when I get a chance)
If you want to improve the look of your VT/VX interior on the cheap then this is the perfect mod for you! By simply swapping the plain, bland back plastic shifter and handbrake buttons for the chrome ones found on the VTII and VX calais you will add instant class.
So I figured since I’m gonna do this anyway why not take some pics and write some instructions while I’m at it so others benefit from my experience. This wasn’t very hard to do and it took less than an hour complete and I’m a girl so u boys should be able to handle this with no probs . You have to agree that the new chrome button looks a hell of a lot better than the dodgy old black plastic one! For such a little cost (about $11 from holden if I remember correctly) it is probably one of the best and cheapest ways to improve your interior.
So here’s how it is done......
Step 1.
First remove the piece surrounding the shifter, to do this you will need to undo the screws on either side of the cigarette lighter (or dummy), now you will be able to lift the surrounding piece high enough to undo the plug for the electric windows (if fitted). You will now be able to remove this surrounding piece.
Step 2.
Now you have removed this piece you will see 4 screws underneath where the surrounding piece was, undo these. You will then need to remove the screws joining the suede (or plastic) piece to the console surround. Next open the centre console and under the mat you will see 2 nuts, undo these (they are 10mm). You will find the final 2 screws that you need to remove in the back, put the seats forward and you will see a screw joining 2 plastic pieces. Now you should disconnect the cable for the power window. Now everything is undone you will be able to remove centre console- this is easy just lift it up and move it around a bit until you get it off (it helps if the shifter is in 1st).
Step 3.
Undo the screw on the back of the gear lever.
Step 4.
Look underneath the shifter surround on the passenger side and you will see the shaft for the shifter, if you push the button down you will be able to see the pin. Use a pin pusher or something similar (I used a skinny screwdriver) to remove the pin (this is easy just give it a couple of taps with a hammer).
Step 5.
Once the pin is out you will be able to remove the shifter (just a simple case of lifting it up), take the old shifter button out along with the spring. Now put the spring into the new button and place it where the old one was. Now put the shifter back.
Step 6.
You will need to hold the button down to replace the pin (it helps to have an extra pair of hands now), lubricate the pin and now put it back in (this can be a bit tricky, I used a hammer and a metal rod)
Step 7. Reverse the procedure for removing all the plastic bits to reinstall them.
Step 8. You are now finished, sit back and enjoy looking at a classier interior.
Step 9. Off to holden to buy the matching chrome handbrake button if you havent already! (don’t worry fitting this is a piece of piss compared to the shift button)
If you want to improve the look of your VT/VX interior on the cheap then this is the perfect mod for you! By simply swapping the plain, bland back plastic shifter and handbrake buttons for the chrome ones found on the VTII and VX calais you will add instant class.
So I figured since I’m gonna do this anyway why not take some pics and write some instructions while I’m at it so others benefit from my experience. This wasn’t very hard to do and it took less than an hour complete and I’m a girl so u boys should be able to handle this with no probs . You have to agree that the new chrome button looks a hell of a lot better than the dodgy old black plastic one! For such a little cost (about $11 from holden if I remember correctly) it is probably one of the best and cheapest ways to improve your interior.
So here’s how it is done......
Step 1.
First remove the piece surrounding the shifter, to do this you will need to undo the screws on either side of the cigarette lighter (or dummy), now you will be able to lift the surrounding piece high enough to undo the plug for the electric windows (if fitted). You will now be able to remove this surrounding piece.
Step 2.
Now you have removed this piece you will see 4 screws underneath where the surrounding piece was, undo these. You will then need to remove the screws joining the suede (or plastic) piece to the console surround. Next open the centre console and under the mat you will see 2 nuts, undo these (they are 10mm). You will find the final 2 screws that you need to remove in the back, put the seats forward and you will see a screw joining 2 plastic pieces. Now you should disconnect the cable for the power window. Now everything is undone you will be able to remove centre console- this is easy just lift it up and move it around a bit until you get it off (it helps if the shifter is in 1st).
Step 3.
Undo the screw on the back of the gear lever.
Step 4.
Look underneath the shifter surround on the passenger side and you will see the shaft for the shifter, if you push the button down you will be able to see the pin. Use a pin pusher or something similar (I used a skinny screwdriver) to remove the pin (this is easy just give it a couple of taps with a hammer).
Step 5.
Once the pin is out you will be able to remove the shifter (just a simple case of lifting it up), take the old shifter button out along with the spring. Now put the spring into the new button and place it where the old one was. Now put the shifter back.
Step 6.
You will need to hold the button down to replace the pin (it helps to have an extra pair of hands now), lubricate the pin and now put it back in (this can be a bit tricky, I used a hammer and a metal rod)
Step 7. Reverse the procedure for removing all the plastic bits to reinstall them.
Step 8. You are now finished, sit back and enjoy looking at a classier interior.
Step 9. Off to holden to buy the matching chrome handbrake button if you havent already! (don’t worry fitting this is a piece of piss compared to the shift button)