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I recently bought a 2001 Ex. It will be a family hauler / moderate overland build. 3 kids + dog.
One of my first major upgrades is to the center console. I have the first CAD being drafted now based on the attached. We’ll iterate 1-2x and then prototype. Probably will get it 3D printed in ABS.
For you guys that have lived with these longer than I have, any other features you’d add? Happy to share the design when I’m done too.
Cool idea.While I just modified the existing console vice making a complete new one, having a place for upfitter switches on the center console is one feature I really like. And if you're doing an overland style build, you'll have the need for extra switches.
I'm running a manual transmission and transfer case, so connecting the console to the dash wasn't an option for me. With the center console slid back eight inches to make room for the shifters, that put the front within easy reach of the driver, so I used the front of the center console for the switches.
@Antonm23 I like that a lot. I was planing to use the sloped face (peach color in the mock-up) for a SP 9100 system (8 switches). Looks like you have 12, but I can’t see them all clearly. What switches are you running? Maybe I need to upgrade to the 12 switch unit.
I’m running switches from a company called “Over the Road Switch Guys”.
It’s a small company that’s seems to be aimed towards big rigs but a 12 volt switch doesn’t know what vehicle it’s installed in (link below to their website).
I'm planning to do something similar. I have a front bench seat in my Ex and the center jump seat is never used as a seat. I plan to remove it completely and replace it with a custom console similar to your design. The biggest difference I see right away is that I plan to incorporate a vault at the very bottom (accessed through the armrest hatch). I'm also planning to incorporate a ham and/or GMRS radio.
from 1958 thru 1991, I was the Most Involved Ham Radio operator you ever saw.
going to college, I operated on 40 meter CW with a Vibroplex tied to a Kneeboard.
copied code in my head, at that time in my life....
around 1991 my employer banned me from using Ham Radios in the company trucks, I told them it keeps me awake, as I maintained 500 miles of pipeline microwave towers.... those long drives put me to sleep fast w/o something to keep me awake...
don't like Coffee, so that is out for a "wake up" pill.... have to use the Trucker's Caffeine tablets instead.
I keep a lot of stuff in the bottom of the console, CCW item, Power Jumper box, documents, etc.
I installed a console out of an 07 Expedition. It looks pretty good but I do have a little gap at the dash on purpose so the 2 wouldn't rub. Love the pocket in front and put a usb outlets for phone chargers. I did keep one accessory socket for plug in power if needed. Plenty of storage under the lid. Had to keep rear ac controls plugged in for everything to work correctly. they just sit under the console. Don't need kids fighting over them anyways. Left everything to be able to go back to stock if and when I decide to sell it.
I'm planning to do something similar. I have a front bench seat in my Ex and the center jump seat is never used as a seat. I plan to remove it completely and replace it with a custom console similar to your design. The biggest difference I see right away is that I plan to incorporate a vault at the very bottom (accessed through the armrest hatch). I'm also planning to incorporate a ham and/or GMRS radio.
when you say “vault” I assume a locking segment for a handgun, wallet, etc? So you’d reach through the main opening to access the vault? Would you have storage area on top of the vault lid (ie you would remove the stored stuff from the console before you could open the vault)?
Contracted my CAD designer this morning, so we’re off and running.
when you say “vault” I assume a locking segment for a handgun, wallet, etc? So you’d reach through the main opening to access the vault? Would you have storage area on top of the vault lid (ie you would remove the stored stuff from the console before you could open the vault)?
Correct. I haven't designed anything yet, so I don't exactly know how it would be realized, but IMO there is a lot of "extra" space that can be utilized like this.
I installed a console out of an 07 Expedition. It looks pretty good but I do have a little gap at the dash on purpose so the 2 wouldn't rub. Love the pocket in front and put a usb outlets for phone chargers. I did keep one accessory socket for plug in power if needed. Plenty of storage under the lid. Had to keep rear ac controls plugged in for everything to work correctly. they just sit under the console. Don't need kids fighting over them anyways. Left everything to be able to go back to stock if and when I decide to sell it.
I think you had posted a picture of your install on this forum or elsewhere, right? Looked good.
Found a CAD designer who has been doing automotive interiors for 20+ years, so pretty excited to kick this off now.
I hear what you're saying, and agree. I think I'll end up adding pockets / slots / etc on the sides to use some of that space as I see the design come together.
from 1958 thru 1991, I was the Most Involved Ham Radio operator you ever saw.
going to college, I operated on 40 meter CW with a Vibroplex tied to a Kneeboard.
copied code in my head, at that time in my life....
around 1991 my employer banned me from using Ham Radios in the company trucks, I told them it keeps me awake, as I maintained 500 miles of pipeline microwave towers.... those long drives put me to sleep fast w/o something to keep me awake...
don't like Coffee, so that is out for a "wake up" pill.... have to use the Trucker's Caffeine tablets instead.
I keep a lot of stuff in the bottom of the console, CCW item, Power Jumper box, documents, etc.
Have thought about getting into Ham a little bit; honestly a little intimidating right now. Seems like a fair amount to figure out, which I am sure I could do, but don't have much spare time right now.
GMRS is the new CB. Much easier to get into than Ham with a far better community. Getting an amateur radio license isn't too bad at all, it's dealing with things I can't say without breaking forum rules that ruined it for me.
Fabbing up a center console has been on my to-do list for a long while now, just too many other projects above it. I was thinking basic geometry with open real estate for customization would be great for what I'd want to do with it.
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