i have a 88' xlt and i love the style of the interior really open and big but it lacks places to put alot of junk that i think i need and i was wondering if anyone had built any cool little compartments or had any ideas for such? overhead consoles? what about those trays over the visors i've seen for sale anyone had experience with them?

some ideas i have are a clip for my mag light either on my seat bracket (i have had to create custom brackets to hold expo style seats) or maybe up around the dash or something
also i am thinking about a center console i like not having one but i think i could just get a small ice chest with cup holders on top and have a very useful console, i was even thinking about a small plug in kind!!!
i have also been throwing around an idea for a couple storage boxes behind the front seats on the sides to cover up the seat belt devices or i read somewhere someone had a box across the width of the bed behind the seat that seemed like a good space saver

time to brainstorm!

 

I guess you're not transporting any passengers?

I've thought about the console in my truck. We were just talking about things and the idea of an amp came up. I thought the best place for it would be in the very bottom of the console, with a lockable lid on that section, and the rest of it as a regular fully functioning console...a loss of about 4-6" in concole depth I guess. It would've required a fan to run as well, just to cool the amp I suppose. Never did it, I don't even like music that loud, but the idea of customizing something is always enough to get my mind going. Maybe you could even extend the console to the dash, or straight back to the back seat.

Don't know what you mean by 'expo style seats'.

Also, I don't know how tall you are, but there's plenty of headroom in my truck for me to fumble with something like the visor idea.

Perhaps some secret lockable pockets welded into the tailgate flush. I assume there has got to be some kind of un-used space in there, even with the window all of the way down.

How are you using this truck? I'll play this game and think of more ideas...it's always fun brainstorming with someone elses $$$

How about a fake spare tire? Inside or out

 

expedition style seats, (i think they actually came from a van)

i am keeping the back seats but see i took the carpet out and so now there are kinda indentions around where the seatbelt retracting mechanism is so i would like to cover that up and y not with storage spaces

i use this truck for everything it is extremely versetile i mean thats whats so great about broncs

i saw some tailgate storage but i dont know i like to sit on my tailgate some and it didnt seem like such a good idea i mean its already tall enough i dont need another 3 or 4 inches to climb up and the strength factor

the spare is outside i wouldnt have it any other way i hated having the spare in the back of my cherokee when i had one

i have headroom to work with i just dont know how well those visor things work hopefully someone has one and can give some pro's/con's compared to say a overhead console from an explorer or something

 

ps the cash is a problem but i figure with determination and a pile of scrap metal,plastic, wood i can build anything that someone else can

it just might not look as pretty!

 

JC Whitney sells an overhead console that runs the width of the truck and mounts in place of your visors. Then your visors attach to the console. As for floor consoles, I bought one through EBay from an F250 that has all sorts of compartments and it even matched the interior. I just measured the space between the front seats and used that figure out just what I needed.

 

What I was thinking was just making something up, and keeping the tailgate completely stock looking. I've never looked inside of that panel in the TG, but I assume that there is some room left, even with the TG window down. Maybe just something with hinges and a lock, for small things.

I know what you're saying with the tire...never had the tire in my truck, mine is mounted as well. Wasn't sure if you were carrying the stock spare, or jacked up the truck with no spare. Maybe a van style spare tire cover/case on the tailgate that locks, and carries other misc. items, organized like a tackle box...but that leaves the spare tire issue.

How about where the floor steps up a few inches underneathe of the back seats...ever look to see how open the truck is under that area? It's huge. You can sit upright in there with the truck on the ground.

Are you looking for little miscellaneous pockets t carry random stuff, or are you hauling tools, camping equip, 4 wheelin stuff, fishing stuff, hunting stuff?

 

first of all i completely redid my interior so its will be harder to find matching colors

i did see those overhead visor things but im still wanting to hear from someone how they are

the console i am kinda leaning towards a plug in ice chest (i just think it would be cool to have a fridge as a console!

yes i have sat up under my truck infact it was so comfortable working on that brake line i fell asleep for a little while sitting under there
but i think your on to something i will definatly take some measurements a drop in box with a strong door into the bed would be priceless if it will clear the back seat and everything, that would be perfect!

and yes i have soooo much junk it is unreal, since im going to school i hafta carry everything i need to work on my truck in my truck and it is almost necessary to leave it in there because it is a LONG walk from my dormroom to the truck

i havnt gotten everything in there yet but i have a large jack, wheel chokes (i have no p-brake), jake stands, tarp, blanket, assortment of fluids (atleast half a case of oil included), a large tacklebox converted to tool box, first aid kit, assortment of random parts(oil filter, ign coil, ign. module, etc.), spotlight, chain, flat fixing stuff

stuff i would like to put in there is a long extension cord, a few power tools (rec saw, grinder, and drill), small compressor (for tires)

wow ok i know that prolly wont all fit without a u-haul but i want to get atleast the first section in

 

i have alot more little things i was just trying to list the "big" stuff

 

I use mine up here on campus too...same deal, all of my crap for work and school, an assortment of detailing stuff, oil, and old TPS (kept it for a bit for studying), tire iron, flatfix, huge spotlight, mag light and golf clubs. Got the tools too.

I'll take a closer look at her next time I get in...i'll try and think of something cool.

 

there was a thread exactly like this awhile back, a guy had custom built a box complete with compartments and such that covered the entire back to the front seats i believe. he had picks of it too.

 

well i need to keep the back seat and im not sure i could find enough junk to fill a short box that covered the entire bed, i didnt get a chance to take measurements but im still crossin my fingers about a drop in (thru the floor) box like jdmorg suggested thats really what im wanting
i decided to go shopin for a ice chest to use as a cooler, i wanted the plug in kind but i cant find one with cup holders in the lid that is the right size, the one i saw with cup holders is too small besides i didnt think about it before but i guess they put out heat too, like a air conditioner
i cut some pvc pipe up to make a mag lite holder, now if i can just figure out where to mount it

 

Check with some of your local 4x4 shops. I have seen what you are looking for which is a 12v powered cooler/console.

 

i dont know of any 4x4 shops around here but also that sounds expensive the one at walmart is only 70$ but like i said its a little to small

 

My console holds a lot of junk, and I can put stuff on the back seat if needed. I can also stow tools and stuff in the bin on the left side in the back, and I have a fold up tool set bungeed to the interior spare tire. Plenty of room in my Bronc.

 

Just an idea...I built a new floor for my back, out of 1/2 inch ply and covered in carpet, I used 2x10's for bracing along sides and middle, and put three drawers in...when you look in it apears to be original bottom, but not!

also, under back seat, take a sawzall, and come from bottom! (experience patching **** I cut) and cut out a place about 18inches long, go back toward seat about 2/3 way to the seat lock down, and as deep as the little hump the seat sits on. Do it all in one cut, invert it, tack it back, use 1/4 sheet metal for sides, and put a piano hinge and drawer tyype face, and voila, instant sotorage....

FSB has the link with pictures, and also have two guys that made center consoles, with schematics.....