Custom Center Console

[Dkevdog]

I'm aware of the speaker box replacement console but was wondering if anyone else has seen or had a custom center console made. There isn't enough room in that poor excuse for a junk holder (or do I have too much junk) and I'd love to put my new BlowJax Compressor in there to ease the installation and keep it dry. Any ideas? Nobody ever sits there anyway so I don't really mind losing the seat.



Kev

 

[Cooker]

Use your imagination Only you know what it going to work best to fit all your stuff. I can relate to the problem, I have alot of stuff too



I would build what is going to work the best for you. If you are doing away with the center seat completely, I think you could really make something pretty slick and effective.



For the speaker enclosure, I'd pick a 8" or a 10" woofer (or a new kicker L7 square woofer, they require very little airspace and really have great output, but they are a little pricey), and fire the woofer toward the rear of the truck with ~6"-8" of space between the woofer and the rear of the cab. A ported enclosure will have more volume, but may not be the best for your type of music. Sealed boxes have a little "tighter" bass.



I would also build it to mold up real nice with the lower part of the dash. Like I said I'm sure you can make something that looks pretty cool.



Good luck.

 

[Des]

Time & Imagination

I built a console for my '96 4x4 auto. I removed the center console and removed the brakets that the center console/seat mounted on. You can do this by drilling out the rivets. My console ran from the just under the back seat to the plastic cover over the air bag computer. I believe it was around 46 inches long. The height was around 6 inches and I think it was roughly 14 1/2 inches wide. It fit like a glove, but it worked great. Up in the front I built a custom looking console to hold the CB, 2 way radio, 4 guages, switches, and an extra power out let. I liked the set up because I could break out the laptop computer when I was in the field and had a place to work, without straining my back to type. The console was carpeted inside and out with the grey automotive carpet that most auto parts stores and walmart stores carry. I used 5/8 plywood to build the box. I cut out each piece of wood, covered it in carpet, then screwed it together with 1" dry wall screws (coarse thread). It looked sharp, access to the back seat was very easy (especially getting the kiddo out of the car seat). I made the access door fit very tight so it would not rattle and the lines were hard to see unless you really looked for them. The console was big enough to loose things in for months at a time and long enough to keep my pump shot gun out of sight from prying eyes, but easy to get to in a quick manner. (Check your state's laws on carrying a concealed shotgun. It is legal in Texas) I have the basic dimensions and diagrams saved in autocad and I could export it to another format if you would like a copy of the plans. I only drew out the bottom section of the box. The top section was done as I went along, due to angles and such. I got the idea for the guage and radio console from an article in one of the TDR issues. It was a few issues back. I just expanded on it slighty.

 

[Deezul1]

Des

That console sounds really nice and I have been thinking on one for a while. If you can send some drawings, pics or whatever I would appreciate it.

TIA

John

 

[Dkevdog]

Des- Ditto what John said. Like to see that!! I am pretty good with woodworking, I was hoping for something off the shelf so it would look professional. I built one for my 83 Blazer that was pretty slick but it didn't look like it belonged. I might have to use my skills here on this one !



Kev

 

[Des]

No Problem

Give me till tommorrow evening. I've got the files, but I need to reinstall the AutoCAD program to convert them to a file format you can read (unless you have autocad). I re-imaged the 'puter a while back and haven' reinstalled autocad yet. I'll get them to you. I'll need your real email addresses (I can't pull them up under your profile) email me at -- email address removed -- & I'll send them along to you. John - you may have to make some mods to make it work for a 5 spd. The console ran from front to back. I've been thinking of building a new one for the new '01 with the 5 spd, but I haven't had time yet. Kev - your console should be even better than mine, my '96 had 4x4 so I had to "L" the console around the 4x4 shift lever. I'll get them to y'all by Wednesday evening.



Later.

 

[Des]

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[Des]

All the corners and edges on my console were not rounded. I am sure with a little time and the right tools you could make a really sharp looking unit with rounded edges. All my edges were trimmed with polished aluminum angle that I purchased from Home Depot. This protected the edges from wear and covered the joints. It was very functional, much more so that the junk console that comes in these trucks.



Excuse the rough drawing. It gets the general point across.



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