console

Submitted: Monday, May 09, 2005 at 20:40

ThreadID: 22825 Views:1981 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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raazorj

has any one out there had experience building their own console in their vehicle?
to take the usual electronic gadgets we seem to collect laptops,radios,cameras,charges. Ray

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Reply By: Groove - Monday, May 09, 2005 at 21:10

Monday, May 09, 2005 at 21:10

Hi Raazorj
I built a roof console for my NG pajero a few years back because I felt that the $300 or so being asked for the commercial units was a rip off.

I build and fly radio controlled aircraft so found the fidley nature of the construction quite easy.

A few tips
I made a mock up of stiff cardboard to make sure the shape fit the roof of the car properly.

A normal domestic sewing machine will sew vinyl easily if you want to upholster it.

I used plywood and MDF offcuts to build it and lots of PVA glue to hold it all together. I got a set of map reading lights from a car at one of those wreckers where you pick you own bits, I forgot what model of car I pulled it from.

I was really pleased with the results

AnswerID: 110526

Follow Up By: raazorj - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 18:03

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 18:03

Many thanks to all for your help.Ray

FollowupID: 367115

Reply By: Michael Carey - Monday, May 09, 2005 at 21:43

Monday, May 09, 2005 at 21:43

Hi,
I built a custom centre console for my Hilux out of 2mm aluminium. I got a local sheet metal place to bend it up for me but I worked out the dimensions, made the brackets, cut the holes and upholstered it myself! I topped it off with a "floor" console from "Dept. of the Interior".
I did this mainly to mount my radio control heads. It uses existing mounting points (plus some brackets that fix into the gear shift rubber-boot-plate-thingy mounting points). The console could be pulled out and put back to OEM without anyone knowing it was there!!
You can check out some pics of my radio installation here :-

http://www.users.on.net/~michaelcarey/pics/hilux/March2005/

and

http://www.users.on.net/~michaelcarey/pics/hilux/May2005/

Regards,
Michael.

AnswerID: 110537

Follow Up By: Wisey (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 17:17

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 17:17

Michael

How did you feed the wires up into the roof?

Via the front windscreen pillar or the door pillar past the seat belt anchor and then out through the OEM light fitting.
Will have a look @ your pics now.
Andy

FollowupID: 367110

Follow Up By: Michael Carey - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 18:15

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 18:15

As you can tell from my pics, my console isn't a roof one.... But I did run a car kit microphone cable to the rear view mirror. I took the path of the drivers side "A" pillar, the cover comes off quite easily in a Hilux and provides an excellent path for cables.
Eventually I do want to install a roof console, mainly for some more storage (no more radios!!) and also to mount some more control switches and map lights.

FollowupID: 367118

Follow Up By: raazorj - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 19:44

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 19:44

Michael, hi tried to look at your pics but www reckons web site not available do ya want to post a link? Ray

FollowupID: 367128

Follow Up By: Michael Carey - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 20:21

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 20:21

Ray, don't know what to tell you. That is the link to my pic albums, works fine for me on both IE and Firefox at the moment....

FollowupID: 367140

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, May 09, 2005 at 23:29

Monday, May 09, 2005 at 23:29

Have built an overhead console for the cruiser. Made a pattern out of coreflute to match the roof line then bent up some 2mm Al in a U shape. Used the pattern to trim the sides then welded an Al lid on it with tabs to pick up the bolt holes at the mirror & interior light. Cut out the holes for 3 radios, shifted the internal light into the console & rewired then mounted a speaker & map light off the side. Glued some closed cell foam on & trimmed with vinal. It's a very fiddly job & very difficult to feed wires up into the roof lining. After you've done it most would be glad to just pay the money next time although 4 years ago I couldn't find a console to fit the HF, UHF, CB & lights.
Cheers Craig.
HZJ105 Vic.

AnswerID: 110562