Installing a Glove Box in a Classic Chevrolet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Restoring a classic Chevrolet is a labor of love, and one of the finishing touches to the interior restoration is the installation of the glove box. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring that your vintage Chevy's glove box is installed with needed care and precision to preserve the legacy and further enjoy the ride of your classic Chev. This process is straightforward and relatively simple. Glove boxes are typically easier to install from behind the dash.
There are several reasons why someone might want to install a new glove box in their vintage Chevrolet:
- Restoration: For classic car enthusiasts, restoring a vehicle to its original condition is a passion project. A new glove box can replace a worn or damaged one, bringing the car closer to its factory state.
- Functionality: The glove box is a practical feature for storing important items like the vehicle registration, insurance papers, and maps. A new glove box ensures these items are kept safely and are easily accessible.
- Aesthetic Appeal: A new glove box can enhance the interior appearance of the car, especially if the rest of the interior has been maintained or restored.
- Value: Maintaining or restoring a classic car, including all its components like the glove box, can increase its value, both monetarily and sentimentally to its owner.
- Preservation: Replacing a deteriorating glove box with a new one can help preserve the overall condition of the classic car, preventing further wear and tear.
- Customization: Some owners may want to customize their glove box for modern conveniences, such as adding a custom liner or a lock for added security.
In essence, whether it's for restoration, functionality, aesthetic, value, preservation, or customization, installing a new glove box is part of the joy and responsibility of owning a piece of automotive history.
Materials Needed:
- Replacement glove box insert
- Screwdriver set
- Pliers
- Lubricant (if necessary)
- Cleaning supplies (for rust and debris removal)
Step 1: Preparation Begin by preparing your workspace. Ensure that the area around the glove box is clean and free of any items that could obstruct the installation process. Gather all the necessary tools and materials before you start.
Step 2: Removal of the Old Glove Box If there is an existing glove box, carefully unscrew and remove it. Use this opportunity to clean the cavity, removing any rust, dirt, or debris. This will provide a clean surface for the new glove box insert.
Step 3: Fitting the New Glove Box Insert Take the new glove box insert and carefully slide it into the opening. It may require some gentle bending or manipulation to fit properly. Be patient and avoid forcing the insert, as this could damage it or the dashboard.
Step 4: Securing the Insert Once the insert is in place, secure it with screws. Do not overtighten, as this could strip the screw holes or crack the insert. Ensure that the insert is snug and does not rattle.
Step 5: Reattaching the Glove Box Door If you removed the glove box door, now is the time to reattach it. Align the hinges and check that the door opens and closes without any issues. Apply lubricant to the hinges if necessary.
Step 6: Final Checks Conduct a final inspection to make sure everything is secure and functioning correctly. Open and close the glove box several times to ensure smooth operation.
Conclusion: Installing a glove box in a 1937-1954 Chev may feel daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it can be a simple process. Remember to take your time and handle all parts with care to maintain the integrity of your classic car. Once installed, your glove box will not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your Chevrolet but also provide functional storage space. Enthusiasts often share their experiences and advice, which can be invaluable during your restoration journey.
We here at Chevs of the 40s sell various glove boxes and supplies to meet your classic needs for your vintage models.
Glove Box
$34.75 Each
Chevrolet Glove Box - Cloth Lined With Clips, For Cars With Air Conditioning
Glove box door hinges For 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box Hinge Assembly For 1939 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove box door stainless unpainted. (Driver quality) For 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove box door, stainless with painted details. (Driver quality) For 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-like Original. W/ clips For 1939 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-like Original. W/ clips For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-Like Original. Without clips. For 1947 1948 1949 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-like Original. W/ clips For 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Replace your old worn out glove box, with our new reproduction one. This comes with the clips. We offer the screw set number 431616 glove box rubber bumpers number 3765243 12 ... For 1954 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-like Original W/ clips (GMC). For 1954 GMC Trucks
Glove Box-like Original. W/ clips For 1936 1937 1938 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-cloth Lined W/ clips For 1936 1937 1938 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-cloth Lined W/ clips For 1939 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box-cloth Lined W/ clips For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 Chevrolet Trucks
Air conditioning is great in these old trucks, but the HVAC equipment does take up most of the space under the dash, leaving you with a glove box door and no storage space for... For 1947 1948 1949 Chevrolet Trucks
Rubber Bumpers. Glove box door (rectangle). For 1937 1938 1939 Chevrolet Trucks
Rubber Bumpers. Glove box door (round). For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 Chevrolet Trucks
Striker. Glove box latch w/ screws. For 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Chevrolet Trucks
Gasket. Glove box lock to door. For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Gasket. Glove box lock to door. For 1954 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove box lock retainer for glove box lock assembly. Fits Chevrolet and GMC. Includes hardware. For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box Lock. Assembly with case and key. For 1954 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box Lock. Assembly with key. For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Chevrolet Trucks
Retainer. Retainer for glove box lock assembly. For 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box Lock. Repair Kit (hook and pin). For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 Chevrolet Trucks
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1937 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1938 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1939 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1940 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1949 1950 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1951 1952 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. Cloth lined w/ clips For 1953 1954 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. This is a special made glove box that is 5-1/2" shallower in depth to allow for A/C ducts. Cloth lined w/ clips. For 1937 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. This is a special made glove box that is 5-1/2" shallower in depth to allow for A/C ducts. Cloth lined w/ clips. For 1938 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box. This is a special made glove box that is 5-1/2" shallower in depth to allow for A/C ducts. Cloth lined w/ clips. For 1939 Chevrolet Cars
Screw Set. To install glove box (7 pcs) For All Chevrolet Cars and Trucks
Glove Box Hinge Assembly For 1937 1938 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Bumpers. Rubber, rectangle for glove box door For 1937 1938 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Bumpers. Rubber, round, glove box door 3/8'' O.D X 1-1/8'' OL For 1939 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Chevrolet Cars
Assembly with case and key (no screws or retainer, requires 6-20 thread pitch) For 1939 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Lock. Gasket, glove box lock to door For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Lock. Lock assembly w/ case and key For 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Lock. Retainer for glove box lock assembly For 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 Chevrolet Cars
Glove Box Light. Replacement w/ bulb. 12V. For 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 Chevrolet Cars and Trucks