El cheapo center console

[tucson_sailors]

Saw a thread a while ago using a 30mm ammo can as a center console. I found a local surplus place with them, and did a cheap and nasty proof of concept for my 60. Still need to weld the back, and fit a lock assembly, but its already proving its worth in gold in terms of storage space, and a place to REST my ARM while driving. Cost so far: 1 30mm ammo can - $20.00 1 can of tan paint - $3.50 1 sq yard tan vinyl - $1.00 Foam and staples - already had. Still need to purchase a good hinge, and a shaft to stick out through the front lid closure so I can put a padlock on it. Have lots of space for the hand brake, and looks like I should be able to make a 12oz can holder on the side for the driver without any problem - may have the check the spacing for the front. Back seat still folds up without any problems. Passenger seat belt is tight, but still movable. Glenn in Tucson

 

[NocalFJ60]

Cool

You can bolt it or weld and then add some locks.

 

[tucson_sailors]

El Cheapo Console - followup

Cool

You can bolt it or weld and then add some locks.

Yup. Right now its bolted to the original console mounting points thru 4 holes in the bottom of the can. Think I may cut a wood insert for the bottom and get some slightly longer bolts for the floor mount, just to spread out the tension evenly. The gauge of the metal is at best 18 to 20g, so I'll have to be careful welding, or more likely, I'll get the friend welding it to be careful. It's a fun little DIY project, and pretty cost-effective if you don't want to spend $250.00+ on a Tuffy or similar. Figure I'll put in a secondary stereo and a 1/4" jack to the outside of the can so I can plug in a MP3 player. If I run new speaker wires though the can and to the speakers, I can avoid replacing the stock am/fm stereo, and thus making it look like its not worth busting into my rig. Also thinking a couple of these bolted down in the back just behind the wheel wells would make excellent tool boxes for those of us that haven't installed the quarter panel storage. Glenn

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The console looks great! I need to get one.

 

[octavio62]

looks good and its water proof.

 

[sl33py]

looks good and its water proof.

Except for the holes in the bottom to mount it... Silicone!?

I really like this idea. Poor Man's Tuffy! And should be easy to weld on some sort of tab to lock it. I think this will be my next purchase at the next gun show.

show us pics how you fab a mount when complete.

rob

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Thats pretty damn sweet.


-Carl

 

[tucson_sailors]

Mounting the ammo can

show us pics how you fab a mount when complete.

rob[/QUOTE] Actually, didn't have to. Its flat enough to mount to the standard stuff in my 60. All I had to do was make a template from the original console and then drill 4 holes in the bottom of the can. Only had to trim a bit of carpet away on the front of the trans tunnel. Will put up more photos after I do the welding on the box. The original poster had some good photos as well, but I can't find the thread. Glenn

 

[fowldarr]

If anybody wants to go looking for the original post, the guy was actually talking about his new seats, might make it easier to find.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

looks good and its water proof.

water proof!!! man if you have water that hi in your cab you may have more problems than the console

it does look cool. nice low bang buck. post a link up in the $50 mod thread.

clint

 

[sl33py]

I'm finding a lot of diff measurements on 30mm cans - some 8" wide, some 8 1/4", some 9 1/2" wide...

what's the dimensions? Definitely need one of these bad boys for the truck!

rob

 

[EOE_overland]

Great idea! Here's something I found for an easy lock:
Ammo Can Lock A 3-Piece "Can It" System

 

[GLTHFJ60]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/255693-final-fix-drivers-seat-tear.html

Another ammo can install thread.

 

[fowldarr]

I want to do this this weekend....I have some ideas on how to make it pretty dang sweet. And gives me a good excuse to break out the welder. might be getting some seats this weekend too, buddy at the local scrap yard found some black leather seats out of an Audi A4 he sat aside for me to come see....I got some ideas now....I'm thinking totally utilitarian interior (going to make some ABS door panels, strip the carpet out for rubber mats (and dynamatting), then black leather seats.....and an ammo can console....)

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I want to do this this weekend....I have some ideas on how to make it pretty dang sweet. And gives me a good excuse to break out the welder. might be getting some seats this weekend too, buddy at the local scrap yard found some black leather seats out of an Audi A4 he sat aside for me to come see....I got some ideas now....I'm thinking totally utilitarian interior (going to make some ABS door panels, strip the carpet out for rubber mats (and dynamatting), then black leather seats.....and an ammo can console....)

Sounds excellent! I've been toying with doing the same thing myself.

What do you have planned for the ammo can?

 

[fowldarr]

Hmmm, so glad that you asked. But you'll have to wait and see, I have a few different ideas, but actually need to go get one of the ammo cans and do some looking at it, hard to come up with a definate plan looking at the pictures, but my requirements for a center console will need to be met,
1) arm rest height
2) secure storage
3) cup holders
4) and maybe some stereo security if I get really ambitious,
Plus it will have to match the direction I'm eventually going with the whole interior. So, it will be black, with some other creative touches perhaps.

I have the welder and everything and will probably pick up two cans, so if anybody nearby wants one, let me know, and I'll do up two, (probably for cost of materials) and keep the better of the two.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Hmmm, so glad that you asked. But you'll have to wait and see, I have a few different ideas, but actually need to go get one of the ammo cans and do some looking at it, hard to come up with a definate plan looking at the pictures, but my requirements for a center console will need to be met,
1) arm rest height
2) secure storage
3) cup holders
4) and maybe some stereo security if I get really ambitious,
Plus it will have to match the direction I'm eventually going with the whole interior. So, it will be black, with some other creative touches perhaps.

I have the welder and everything and will probably pick up two cans, so if anybody nearby wants one, let me know, and I'll do up two, (probably for cost of materials) and keep the better of the two.

I was thinking of doing something similar in metal, modifying a can to be more of a "console". Where are you getting your cans? My last source dried up and I think I have found another, but they're 7.25 inches wide. Correct height and depth though.

 

[fowldarr]

I have a couple of options, there is a local pawn shop that deals in some military surplus, if they don't have it, then there is a huge army surplus store about 45 minutes away. Well worth the trip, but the wife hates it, because it costs gas, and a lot more than what I go there intending to spend (they have way too much cool stuff) I know that there are sources online as well that you can buy from. So let's be clear here, what size exactly do we want? I was thinking 8"?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I have a couple of options, there is a local pawn shop that deals in some military surplus, if they don't have it, then there is a huge army surplus store about 45 minutes away. Well worth the trip, but the wife hates it, because it costs gas, and a lot more than what I go there intending to spend (they have way too much cool stuff) I know that there are sources online as well that you can buy from. So let's be clear here, what size exactly do we want? I was thinking 8"?

AllFour used 10" wide cans. I'll go measure when I get home to see what a good size would be for a 60.

 

[Eporter]

Cool to see this progressing. I've always thought of bolting an ammo can in. One thing I've seen and used are the storage trays:

ZAA-074 - Ammo Can Organizer 3 Sets Does Not Include Ammo Can

"This is a system of three trays, that fit inside a 50-caliber ammo can. These are made of high strength plastic and the three stack neatly just inside a regular can.

Each tray has adjustable dividers that can be removed and adjusted to fit a variety of items. The trays have a fold down handle on a hinge that will not wear out. These are OD green plastic and will resist oils and grease. This is the perfect way to convert your ammo can into a tackle box, ammo tray or small parts bin.

5.5" wide, 10.75" long, 2.25" tall.

This is for the a set of 3 plastic trays, the ammo can is sold separately, part number ZAA-095."

These are for 50 cal. so not sure if they would fit this application.

Pretty cool though, keep all those nuts, bolts, & bullets organized.

I've always thought about bolting some of the bigger ammo cans in back behind the wheel wells.

But, installing a cargo drawer always seems like it will negate those.

I like the idea of seeing nothing in the back. 2 big (even locked) ammo cans might get a would-be-thief's imagination running wild.