I own the very basic F-150. It came with that little center seat, which I never use. I wanted a console, but since I bought it used...I took what I could get. Looking on eBay and Craiglist, I could find consoles, but the cost was something like you'd get for a pound of gold...so I decided to build my own.

Right now it is a project in the making. But when I'm done, it will be far cheaper than anything I could buy outright. What I've spent so far, which is almost the total cost...

Wood: Two 2'x2' squares of 1/2" plywood. $13 (Lowes)
Marine grade gray vinyl: One yard of 60". $10 (eBay)
Elmers glue: Nothing, everyone has some, right?
Box of paneling nails: 1 1/2" length $2.48 (Lowes again)
Cup holders: Boat/RV holders, 3" diameter $6 (eBay again)

Things I'm going to buy but haven't yet include some LED accent lights, two little ones to point forward from the front, and one inside the console for light when I need it at night. Also I need to buy a hinge and a magnetic clasp and a handle for the hinged door.

With that all said, here are the plans and the steps I performed to build this console to date. It's not complete yet, but I will post the final pictures once it is done.





























































Well that's it so far. I just got through rounding all the edges so when I glue the vinyl on it won't tear. I also cut foam rubber and glued it in place in the metal frame in the truck so my "hidden" pistol won't rattle around. I also just got through running a power wire from my radio to the console under the rubber floor mat so I can hook up my accent lights. I chose the radio because I wanted it to be a switched connection.

More pics to come when I'm done...

 

This is awesome! Great DIY, and I look forward to seeing it completed.

 

Okay, we are coming along nicely. Started the vinyl today.




This is the vinyl, it is a pretty good color match for the interior of my F-150.




Since I never will use the seat again, I pulled the covering off the cushion and you can see it next to the vinyl. I plan on using that material to cover the hinged door to kind of integrate my console with the rest of my cab.




In this picture, I have smeared glue all over the wood and have tacked the vinyl in place with staples...you can see the glue tracks and such under the vinyl...kind of ugly.




The key is to use a big spreader and smooth the vinyl down, forcing the extra glue to the edge and cleaning it up. After I did this, the console looked really smooth and flat.




This picture just shows how I covered the back area. I just folded some edges down and stapled it in place after glue again. When you cover your own, it is almost impossible to do it without seams...wish they had a spray on gray vinyl...then it would be perfect...but still it is okay.




The vinyl is just about done. Just a little few things to do yet.




One thing I did NOT want is to hear anything rattling around, meaning the lid. So I bought some self adhesive felt strips and lined the edge of the lid area with them. Also I need to clean up and finish the inside of the console as well. I'll probably use the same vinyl since I have so much of it left over...but it'll be trickier I think working inside out...

Stay tuned for more...still awaiting the cup holders....

 

Okay, got the cup holders today, bought a 4 inch black piano hinge and mounted the lid. Cut the wood holes for the holders and finished that area off. Also put on the wooden stops to keep the false floor from dropping through.

I still need to permanently attach the cup holder assembly to the console and am still awaiting the recessed LED accent lights to install and hook up. Here are the pictures...after this I will post one final pic when I am all done showing the console in my F-150.

What'cha think? Total cost less than $50...

 

All done and complete...and I'm happy with it.




The lights are meant to run on 3 AAA batteries in series...which is about 5V DC. So I had to use an adapter, 12V --> 5V under the cup holder. They turn on when the truck starts, they turn off when I turn off the truck. I thought about installing a switch...but didn't want to mess with more drilling in my console creation.




Here is a picture from the passenger side with the armrest in the upright position.




Another view from the passenger side with the armrest down.




Last picture...the finished console! Glad it's over with...not hard, except not fun when you have to cut everything with a cheap keyhole saw.

 

That looks great!

 

It looks like it could have come from the factory. That's awesome!