Modifying my center console...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
It was a LONG day, but yes, just one day.
It is plywood, with 2x4 braces. I got some foam from the fabric section of Wal-Mart for about $5 or so. I also went to a fabric store in the local mall (Like for sure!!
) and got some black vinyl cut. I got a 6' length (comes 3' wide) so I have leftovers for building one for my wife's truck. Two hinges laying around for the armrest/storage door, and two adjustable cup holders from Wal-Mart and good to go.
I used some pipe hanging straps to bolt it to the existing console mounting holes. To finish it off, I got some finishing washers from Home Depot to dress up the screws.
I took some cardboard and made a pattern for the wood. A little cutting, some screwing(around) and some stapling later... it was done. Then came the fun part...mounting the gauges and switches. It's a lot easier to have all the holes pre-cut in the wood, then cut an "x" over the holes and push them through.
Not real hard... getting the energy to start was the hard part.
Glad you like...
It is plywood, with 2x4 braces. I got some foam from the fabric section of Wal-Mart for about $5 or so. I also went to a fabric store in the local mall (Like for sure!!
) and got some black vinyl cut. I got a 6' length (comes 3' wide) so I have leftovers for building one for my wife's truck. Two hinges laying around for the armrest/storage door, and two adjustable cup holders from Wal-Mart and good to go.I used some pipe hanging straps to bolt it to the existing console mounting holes. To finish it off, I got some finishing washers from Home Depot to dress up the screws.
I took some cardboard and made a pattern for the wood. A little cutting, some screwing(around) and some stapling later... it was done. Then came the fun part...mounting the gauges and switches. It's a lot easier to have all the holes pre-cut in the wood, then cut an "x" over the holes and push them through.
Not real hard... getting the energy to start was the hard part.
Glad you like...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Auburn/ Opelika
There's that $200 security console from tuffy, it's metal and locks up and stuff. It just doesn't have cup holders, there are two different Bronco console models, one with a locking radio door and one without. If it had cup holders I'd have gotten one yesterday. It's been posted before in this forum, so a link is in here somewhere. -wb
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I put a Bazooka powered sub (cross mounted) and a 10 disc CD changer UNDER mine. Built a "custom carpeted box" like some of those above (about 10" high), and mounted the plastic drink holder thing right on top. Really worked out well. Drink holder thing is much more useful now, and with upgraded (Polk) replacement speakers in the facrory spots, sounds very nice.
Bazookas are tube shaped, so the ends come out of the sides of the box at the bottom rear, and the CD changer is at the top facing front. The CD player has never had any problems with skipping.
Bazookas are tube shaped, so the ends come out of the sides of the box at the bottom rear, and the CD changer is at the top facing front. The CD player has never had any problems with skipping.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Just throwing more ideas out there for you guys. I built a carputer out of my console last year. There's tons of room for any computer part you could want. I've got the thing running via a power inverter right now, but am planning on picking up a DC-DC power supply this fall.
I don't even have a stereo installed, and the console completely hides the computer. As far as music, I just stick to my mp3s. All I had to do was run the "audio out" from my sound card to the amp under my drivers seat. That pushes plenty of juice to my six 3-ways.
If I ever get around to taking pics, I'll post them.
-Daedalus
I don't even have a stereo installed, and the console completely hides the computer. As far as music, I just stick to my mp3s. All I had to do was run the "audio out" from my sound card to the amp under my drivers seat. That pushes plenty of juice to my six 3-ways.
If I ever get around to taking pics, I'll post them.
-Daedalus
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I had the same idea 5 years ago when i got my new bronco, needed more space.
Still need to wire in light switches, and locks. But I love it.
http://anchorfrog.com/Centerbox.jpg
Still need to wire in light switches, and locks. But I love it.
http://anchorfrog.com/Centerbox.jpg
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: ozark hills of mo
I use min as a cooler got a cooler at the walmart about same size an it set in fine now I got my Dew ready when needed as cup holders I just found some that hang on the windows an cut out bottom of holders an inserted the hangin type minus the hanger
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
The Tuffy Security consoles do have cup holders in them. I just installed one in my Bronco. I love it, it locks my stereo up, you can keep your valuables in it, and its all steel. It was a tight fit, it just barely fits between the seats, but you dont need the arm rests with it in, they're built in to it. The cup holders can be mounted on the front ,the back, or both. They're not real big but they're not too bad. The console its self is huge, big enough for a cd changer for sure. It also has the change tray in side.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
i saw one at walmart that looks like a console but it actually plugs in and it is a fridge so u dont even need ice plus its got padding and cup holders only thing is i think it is a little small for our rides but maybe some of yall would like it, they make them that fit on the seat too (im thinking about one for the back seat)
but since they are to small for the space i think i will just get a cooler with a tray in it, and cup holders on top, that way i can put stuff in the tray and beverages also since i have bedliner flooring i dont think it will slide around thus no need for a drain hose i can just pick it up and dump it out the door!
but since they are to small for the space i think i will just get a cooler with a tray in it, and cup holders on top, that way i can put stuff in the tray and beverages also since i have bedliner flooring i dont think it will slide around thus no need for a drain hose i can just pick it up and dump it out the door!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,371
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From: just outside of Phila.
I'm really liking jims89bronco's console Beasty...it sounds lke he made it fairly easily and cheap. Maybe one of the buttons could be a pushstart, only to be engaged when the key is in the ignition. Wouldn't really serve anyother purpose than being trick. The guages are a cool idea in there too, the only other place I thought was the pod guages on the pillar (don't really like them) or re-doing the dash with new guages and trying to return it to a stock look, I'm just not sure the guages would fit. If you make the console high enough to chop out the armrests, I'm sure it would make a TON of space. That's gotta be 4-6" at least.
BTW-jims89bronco...console looks awesome
BTW-jims89bronco...console looks awesome
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 29
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Originally Posted by jdmorg
I'm really liking jims89bronco's console Beasty...it sounds lke he made it fairly easily and cheap. Maybe one of the buttons could be a pushstart, only to be engaged when the key is in the ignition. Wouldn't really serve anyother purpose than being trick.
BTW-jims89bronco...console looks awesome
BTW-jims89bronco...console looks awesome
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
From: just outside of Phila.
I always thought that the look was cool. My brother has a pickup with an electric fan and fuel pump. The kid who had it before him and did all of the mods made it so that you had to flip two switches, push down the clutch and push the start button. It would click, whirr a bit, the fan would kick on, and then....RUFF...tat beast sounds sooo good, even better with such a cool sequence to start it. Later, my brother took those out, and removed the 5-speed in favor of an auto, but left the clutch mechanism for starting. Now, there is no shifter, but a clutch pedal. At the very least, it'll confuse a would be thief.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 351
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From: Arkansas
jdmorg- that is a pretty cool console
i got a push button start deal already, its actually a flip switch with a cover kinda like launchin a missile or fireing up a jet or something some ppl dont like it but i dont care i think its pretty cool
and yeah no one can find it but its about 10" from the key switch right in its own little spot on the dash
the only thing i dont like about his console is that its too constricting i like the truck feel the openness a console that completely seperates the front two seats is just too much like my old cherokee,
plus when u load a 8 or 9 of ppl up it would be nice to have the regular old ice chest or console that doesnt go all the way to the dash for a couple ppl to sit on
i got a push button start deal already, its actually a flip switch with a cover kinda like launchin a missile or fireing up a jet or something some ppl dont like it but i dont care i think its pretty cool
and yeah no one can find it but its about 10" from the key switch right in its own little spot on the dash
the only thing i dont like about his console is that its too constricting i like the truck feel the openness a console that completely seperates the front two seats is just too much like my old cherokee,
plus when u load a 8 or 9 of ppl up it would be nice to have the regular old ice chest or console that doesnt go all the way to the dash for a couple ppl to sit on
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