Has anyone here ever built their own center console? I've been thinking about a little side project and it sounded kind of fun and useful.
Building a Center Console?
- Thread starter TwistedD85
- Start date
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hawkeye18
Sorta cares
I don't think anybody's done that. What would you be making it out of? I've been looking at taking center consoles from other cars and making them fit, myself.
I was thinking either MDF or a combination of plywood and MDF, both of course finished and covered in leather, carpet and some sort of eye pleasing material (a fine wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, etc). I was mostly thinking of doing this because as great as it is that the Taurus can fit a double-DIN stereo with little modification I hate how the stereo is tucked up under the dash in an alcove, that I thought a console that leaned toward the dash rather than tuck under it might look a bit more sporty, while of course taking the sweep of your shifter into account so you don't punch your head unit. And two cup holders are definitely something I'm aiming to integrate, maybe fit two rubber liners from a later model Ford.
This is all I've managed to find on the subject.
While I like how it looks I'm wanting to go for something a bit more smooth and flowing, something that runs down and mildly curves into the horizontal plane (not a huge swoopy console like in a hot rod or some minitruck), maybe a bit higher than the original console to give the car a more cockpit-like sportier feel. Then from the top down there'd be a place for a stereo, a row of four or so switches beneath that, a power outlet (cigarette lighter) to the right of the switches, a smooth transition down to the shifter and cup holder plane, then somewhere near the driver there'd be a hand brake and an arm rest to top it all off. And if I can manage I'd like to include a storage area, maybe using a bin and armrest/door/lid from another car, something more rectangular.
Sorry for the lengthiness, I just have lots of time to think as of late and this is what I've come up with.
Phoenix
SHOHOLIC
Definitely a good idea for the shogun im building since the stock festy console doesnt fit anymore..
jelloslug
Digital
I was thinking either MDF or a combination of plywood and MDF, both of course finished and covered in leather, carpet and some sort of eye pleasing material (a fine wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, etc). I was mostly thinking of doing this because as great as it is that the Taurus can fit a double-DIN stereo with little modification I hate how the stereo is tucked up under the dash in an alcove, that I thought a console that leaned toward the dash rather than tuck under it might look a bit more sporty, while of course taking the sweep of your shifter into account so you don't punch your head unit. And two cup holders are definitely something I'm aiming to integrate, maybe fit two rubber liners from a later model Ford.
This is all I've managed to find on the subject.
While I like how it looks I'm wanting to go for something a bit more smooth and flowing, something that runs down and mildly curves into the horizontal plane (not a huge swoopy console like in a hot rod or some minitruck), maybe a bit higher than the original console to give the car a more cockpit-like sportier feel. Then from the top down there'd be a place for a stereo, a row of four or so switches beneath that, a power outlet (cigarette lighter) to the right of the switches, a smooth transition down to the shifter and cup holder plane, then somewhere near the driver there'd be a hand brake and an arm rest to top it all off. And if I can manage I'd like to include a storage area, maybe using a bin and armrest/door/lid from another car, something more rectangular.
Sorry for the lengthiness, I just have lots of time to think as of late and this is what I've come up with.
I like the idea of that. I have always disliked the stock center consoles that are in the 1st and 2nd gen cars. There is not much that you can do to modify them to make them better but the idea of just constructing a new one from scratch is a great idea.
n8rsk8r
Hey Where's my post?
I think a center console would be about the easiest thing there is to fab. Thin masonite and some different body fillers.. you are golden. Or **** you could make it out of cardboard and bodyfiller and fiberglass matt.
Have fun and post up pics of the build
Have fun and post up pics of the build
I'm looking to get a solid feel and appearance so I'd probably be going with wood of some kind, plywood and/or regular wood for structure and bracing while using MDF for the sides so it can be easily shaped by a router. This is about all I've gotten sketched up so far.
I might bring the console up a bit so it has that cozier performance coupe feel. I was thinking if I could manage to get vinyl vacuum formed over it instead of wrapping it in leather it might look better, I'd still love to get someone to stitch up a leather cover with something like red stitching around the top edges of the console, but I'm not sure if that'd look right in the car. And I still can't decide whether the center panel should curve and continue with the console for that sweeping look or do it up like it is in the sketch and give it that 80's-early 90's performance car vibe. Either way I got a lot of planning to do before I actually start on this, the cash isn't quite there yet but it's all the better I hammer out the details now.
I might bring the console up a bit so it has that cozier performance coupe feel. I was thinking if I could manage to get vinyl vacuum formed over it instead of wrapping it in leather it might look better, I'd still love to get someone to stitch up a leather cover with something like red stitching around the top edges of the console, but I'm not sure if that'd look right in the car. And I still can't decide whether the center panel should curve and continue with the console for that sweeping look or do it up like it is in the sketch and give it that 80's-early 90's performance car vibe. Either way I got a lot of planning to do before I actually start on this, the cash isn't quite there yet but it's all the better I hammer out the details now.
-DVP-
NaNaaNaNAAAA!!!
Wanted to take a Gen II console and graft the rear section of a Mustang console to it. Fab up handbrake, 2 cup holders, different.
jelloslug
Digital
A late 90's Lincoln Continental center console would be a good starting point. It is already close to the correct length and width, it has pop out dual cup holders, an armrest bin with a power outlet and with the top trim removed a custom trim plate could easily be fabed up.
Would this be the one?
Looks alright, but I'm not sure if it's what I'm going for. I'm still looking to get that sweeping look.
jelloslug
Digital
Would this be the one?
Looks alright, but I'm not sure if it's what I'm going for. I'm still looking to get that sweeping look.
Thats a later one. The earlier ones (95 to 99 maybe?) sweep up to the dash more.
SHOhopefull
SHO Member
I'd just like to have a hand brake...
NP SHO
Rice Killaaa
This looks interesting. 
Subscribing.
Subscribing.
I'm looking to get a solid feel and appearance so I'd probably be going with wood of some kind, plywood and/or regular wood for structure and bracing while using MDF for the sides so it can be easily shaped by a router. This is about all I've gotten sketched up so far.
I might bring the console up a bit so it has that cozier performance coupe feel. I was thinking if I could manage to get vinyl vacuum formed over it instead of wrapping it in leather it might look better, I'd still love to get someone to stitch up a leather cover with something like red stitching around the top edges of the console, but I'm not sure if that'd look right in the car. And I still can't decide whether the center panel should curve and continue with the console for that sweeping look or do it up like it is in the sketch and give it that 80's-early 90's performance car vibe. Either way I got a lot of planning to do before I actually start on this, the cash isn't quite there yet but it's all the better I hammer out the details now.
Sweet interior
.
Sweet interior
Cleanest photo of the center console I could find, everyone else either wants to take a picture of the driver's side or get up close and person with the stereo
This looks interesting.
Chances are whenever the project can truly start I'll make another thread, that is if I feel like I should take pictures of it in progress.
Thanks, I don't like straying too far from what flows with the car, if something feels out of place it nags me until I change it :frantic:
Honestly the only reason I'm going with the hand brake is because most everyone on here seems to want one, I do like how they look though, but I have no idea where I'm gonna find an assembly that fits in with the SHO interior.
I'm having trouble finding pictures, everyone wants to take them from the driver's side so all I get is the armrest, the steering wheel, or just a picture of the lid, damned internet
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