I need to find the console part that mounts to the three large pins on the doghouse. Seems there are many different styles over the years and claims on the internet that almost any style will mount to vans from '99-2014. Can anyone verify that? And suggest where to find a replacement part? (Dang I miss the old junkyard days!)

WC

 

I would start by looking on eBay. I don't miss the junkyard days. I have been to pick and pull a few times and get frustrated at arriving after the van has been pillaged by someone prior to my arrival. eBay parts are usually clean and tested. No $3 entry fee. Be patient. Check every day.

Ebay site for Diesel redemption may have the part if you contact them directly as they don't list every part. They buy municipal fleets.

Diesel Redemption home page.

I found this console on eBay. Good price.

 

I do believe the center consoles from 1997 to 2013 (EOL for the E-Series) should be snap-in fits. I know of three different versions that appeared during those years but it then becomes a matter of personal preference. I myself prefer the type CoolFeet shows---its quite handy but can be a bit cumbersome if you or your passenger like to move to the rear cargo area (or seating) from the front seats---it can make moving your feet between the seat base and console a bit of a chore.

Like CoolFeet I DO NOT miss anything about junkyard days----good lord that's a ton of work for little reward most times out. eBay is absolutely the world market for parts although I'd recommend looking at LKQ's site to check their inventory. These guys are somewhat local, I've been buying from them for quite a while now: https://www.ebay.com/str/wine1wholesale

Good luck with your search!

 

Thanks guys for the info and links! JWA- What is LKQ's site?

On the junkyard topic, I guess I remember the"really old" days. The one's where you needed a fender or trim for a '56 Chevy and I just drove a mile down the road from my house and get one for $20 (probably less).

 

I remember going to the town junkyard as a kid. The owner had a cash box guarded by a dog that bit intruders. A light bulb hung from the ceiling on a wire. Mr. Carmichael knew where every vehicle was and memorized the inventory in his head. I swear he smoked 2 or 3 cigarettes at a time and drank more whiskey than water. I never knew you could buy new car parts as a youngster.

 

LKQ's site can be found through a Google search. It might be known as "LKQonline" now though.

The good ole days of junkyards have given way to "self-serve auto salvage parts" outfits that have computerized inventory systems and vastly improved intake, storage and final disposal of vehicles they buy from different sources. Just yesterday though I was tromping through an outfit in business locally here since 1932. in the exact same location.

I've never known a time when they were NOT open for business, had bought more than a couple of total loss salvage-titled cars I repaired and sold through my body shop in the middle 80's. It got to the point they'd call me when something of interest showed up---often times I would have something sitting in my parking lot within mere hours of such a call.

Their business model hasn't really changed, most employees still keeping much of the inventory in their head and usually able to say yay or nay if they have something. The original owners grandson heads up the outfit now---I almost always seek him out when I visit the location.

These days I avoid buying anything other than new and/or OEM as its far easier to make a call than stumble through those places looking for things that may or may not be available that day at that place. Yes I've grown a bit lazy and more importantly able to afford it now so there's just no good reason to seek parts from salvage yards. I will admit perhaps this day I'll revisit the same outfit to retrieve a set of 1998 style exterior rear view mirrors for my 2000 E-250.

 

Got it, thanks. Love the old junkyard stories. Yes, just no room for vast empty acres on which to store car parts anymore and many of our old vans hit the steel recycling with too many good parts still left on them.