El cheapo center console

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If this worked

If this worked right, everywhere you see a black line will be where I cut, and everywhere you see a red line is where I welded. This is what worked for me. Now, these cans tend to be old, and maybe mine was just a bit misshapen and others will not have the binding problem that I had.
Console%20Can%20006.webp
 
Of course that is the front of his console, but they look the same from both ends before you start hacking them up
 
More Console Pics

Sorry guys ran out of time, but I'll throw up more pics when it is done. It's almost there, just needs painted, padded and installed

The first pic is what I bought.

2nd pic - Stock vs. new - a little more storage space

3rd pic - The glare hides my lousy welding skills
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More Pictures

1st pic - another weld pic

2nd pic - where the cupholders will sit (they are completely installed now, but don't have a pic) You can also see in this pic where I trimmed the sides of the lid for ease of opening and closing.
Can Weld 2.webp
Cupholders.webp
 
My Attempt of Building a Console Under $25

Used scrap oak, birch and trim. Stained it with Walnut Brown and clear varnished it 3 times. Spent money on Suede and Foam pad...that's it!
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left-side console.webp
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Wooden console

Looks good. I may end up putting wooden cup holders on mine, easier to fab, though it'll get a shot of the same desert tan paint. Glenn in Tucson
 
I used the stock plastic cup holders, and kinda flubbed a bracket together...I'd do it different if i did it again.
 
im thinken like worldspan's but stull with ammo cans put a smaller one (if it'll fit) behind the ebreak and put my stereo in there.
 
New wooden console idea

samibattlemaiden said:
im thinken like worldspan's but stull with ammo cans put a smaller one (if it'll fit) behind the ebreak and put my stereo in there.
Click to expand...

Might fit a .30 caliber ammo can behind the ebrake. Problem would be leaving enough room for the swing on the hinge and the front locking mechanism. Though I'm now thinking that a .30 that's riveted/welded to the side of the 20mm can might be an interesting cupholder if you cutout the holes in the top of the can.....

Glenn
 
all the features of the tuffy and almost a 10th the price
 
Yeah, but it doesn't look quite as good. and I'm still trying to figure out how to set up the stereo with a separate lid. But as soon as I have that figured out...then it will be pretty sweet. More pics to come tomorrow. (finally painted)
 
i was thinken about that last night and sketching stuff while i was in bed, you'll eather hafta grind off one side of the lid on the stereo can (i won't do this as i want the stereo can to remain h20 proof) or weld/bolt a spacer between the 2 ammo cans.

i was also thinking run an ipod port to the exterior of the stereo can and have an ipod holder on the front (depending on ebreak clearance) and the cup holder on the front of the bigger can...

pics as soon as i get my truck back from mudrak and start worken on it
 
Yeah, I worked out a couple of things too, but not looking so good, looking like by the time i did that much fab, I should have just started from scratch, or bought a tuffy.
 
fowl you could always do them seperately (not connected) i will probly use the ammo can for cb and radio even if i was to get a tuffy down the line
 
el cheapo theft defense

eraldovallejo said:
El cheapo center console.......... is that also a cheapo security system (THE CLUB)......... just kidding, good idea
Click to expand...

Yup. The trick here in Southern Arizona is not to make it unstealable, but to make it less attractive to thieves. If they really want your rig, the pros will get it. What I'm aiming to stop is stupid gangers and meth heads. Have considered the "leave the transfer in neutral" and disabling the 4wd light, or the shift lock.

Glenn
 
Here, auto theft is pretty rare, I've only had stuff taken....twice in 20 years of owning vehicles, both times I had left it unlocked, and only once was it in my driveway. So, it's pretty safe here.
 
Fowldar,
So if you were to do it over again and you were starting with the ammo can what would you do. I'm about finished cleaning off my ammo can and wanted see what insights you have gained since your build. Thanks for your help

Patrick
 
Hmmm, will be hard to explain without pictures. First off, I would probably go buy an actual hinge, and hinge the lid instead of turning the back latch into a hinge, No matter how you do it (at least that I can see), you end up with a floppy lid when open because of the way the latch attaches. Also, I would do the cupholders diferrent. I got ahead of myself, and wanted to use the factory cupholders and the bracket to raise it up. Instead of cutting the bracket and welding it to the can, I cut the can so teh bracket would fit inside the can (d'oh) That was just a dumb mistake on my part, but it will still work (unless you want it waterproof). Other than that, I like the way it turned out. I promised more pictures, but didn't post them yet, I'll do it tonight when I get home. I still need to upholster the top, and install it. The top will be black vinyl with 2-3 inches of cushion. I used ultra flat black krylon paint over a light layer of primer. Laid down smooth and looks good.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I have some ideas I'd like to try in the future on another project, but this works for now, but since you asked here they are.

Installed mine will still have plenty of room before interferring with the shifter, so I thought about cutting the bottome front at an angle (like theplastic console in my yukon) this would allow it to tuck up a little further, of course you would have to patch the big gaping hole in the bottom

I would attach cupholders on the side close to factory location (but higher)

I thought about putting cupholders on the back fro the rear passengers (again, like my yukon), but didn't find any I liked.

I'm still trying to figure out a good way to do a stereo compartment. If I figure taht out, I'll let y'all know. Again, theft isn't really a concern for me, but I can see how a locked stereo would be beneficial for some, so I've been thinking about it.

My favorite part was cutting off the side tabs. It opens and closes much easier without them (the sides of the lid that come down over the can...again if you're going for waterproof...not a good idea) You can see it in one of my pics above.

My other favorite part...the custom silver landcruiser logo on the side (pics to come)
 
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