How to: Install a Tuffy security console in your 80/81... (1 Viewer)

[IronYuppy]

i'm lazy with the camera these days, but I did put a very similar Tuffy into my 80, with the cupholders in back, mounted low, they fit fine with the seats tumbled.

The console is pretty high-- I used a 3 or 4" spacer in back to level it out. But it works well.
I'd rather have cups up front, must find a way to make that happen, but for now I'm happy to have something strong, at least, with some cups not-too-far from my hand.

Pics coming.... eventually... I've got a knuckle rebuild that is more pressing at the moment.

here are some tuffy photos
you'll notice that I don't have the shifter surround (darn PO) so I was able to snug my tuffy pretty far forward.
Still waiting on the cupholders (need to paint them) they'll go in back as the shifter doesn't give me room in front. Eventually I'll get a shifter surround built, and include at least 1 cupholder there as well.

If you look at the last photo in the original post, you will see the rear "legs" which came with the console. I understand that older Tuffy units didn't come with them, but do now. They are approximately 4" so the console just happens to sit level with the 80's floor. It creates a 1" gap between the rear stock console mount and the bottom of the Tuffy onsole, hence the 1" square tube.

 

[ba450]

Looks like it was meant for the 80. Nice install!

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I know the Lexus owners here have, from what I have seen, stayed away from this since there is no place for the subwoofer. IronYuppy, from what you have seen as far as space goes, does it seem like our "mini" subs would be able to be incorporated without making major modifications? I am trying to remember the sub dimensions, I think 6"?

 

[IronYuppy]

I know the Lexus owners here have, from what I have seen, stayed away from this since there is no place for the subwoofer. IronYuppy, from what you have seen as far as space goes, does it seem like our "mini" subs would be able to be incorporated without making major modifications? I am trying to remember the sub dimensions, I think 6"?

I tell you what, if you installed it as I have there is more than room enough to install a 6" sub underneath the console, facing downward. I think if you were to somehow mount it under the rearmost section of the console (above the rear heater conduit), you'd be in the money.

Alternately, there *might* be room in the space between the two mounting points (beside the handbrake), but I don't know if that would be deep enough. I don't know how deep the LX sub cone is.

In either case, I suppose you would have to make a small custom enclosure for it.

 

[Volunteer]

Nice work

 

[tea LC]

Good job on the install... redneck points for NOT vacuuming the crap on your floor.

 

[zx9r]

Variation

Just completed a similar install on my 94. I did manage to do it in a way that does allow the rear seats to be folded up completely. Only usage limitation is that when the seats are folded, you can swing the top of the console all the way back so it stays open on its own. It opens fully but just not past the tipping point because the pad on top bumps into the folded seats.

What did I do differently? I moved the wiring harness that is tied to the back side of the cross member to the top. Then I secured the Front of the tuffy to the cross member with the use of some angle iron. I was able to use the existing threaded holes in the cross member and two of the existing holes in the front of the tuffy (for use with the cup holder).

I did have to drill two new holes in the bottom of the tuffy to secure it to the rear bracket of the old console. Used a space (1-3/8" in my case) to level it out. I think I used 50mm bolts.

The next step was to attach the cup holder. It isn't possible to put in the planned position because the bottom front is blocked so I have installed it on top of the small slot/shelf/whateveryoucallit that I guess was designed for coins or pens (things that will only make irritating rattles anyway). I used the existing large (5/8") holes in the cup holder but had to drill two new holes in the small shelf to secure it. Pretty easy really. Hardest part was just making sure the holes were in the right place.

Very happy with it. Color is actually a great match for the grey interior even though the camera flash doesn't help it appear so.

btw, I don't think my floor looked any better but I did this after tearing out my carpet and doing a full soundproofing so was as clean as it will every be when I took the photos...

 

[zx9r]

Photos didn't upload (too impatient to notice that the image upload failed) so here they are again...

Also, should have mentioned that this did leave a small gap between the cup holder and the shift cover, about .25". Not very obvious unless you are looking for it but someday I'll put something over it to finish everything off (plastic or aluminum plate).

ps. thanks to IronYuppy for the motivation!

 

[zx9r]

Cupholder install

 

[zx9r]

and for those of you who don't believe the rear seats will fold up... they do touch as you can see but not enough that you even have to really push them down. I imagine if you put them up and down 10 times a day, you'll begin to wear the material on the back of the seat but I don't think it is a concern even if you do it once or twice a day.

 

[greentruck]

This thread really helped me when I did my Tuffy install. I wrote mine up and posted a few pics in the Electronics forum. Here's a link:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/333965-anyone-ever-install-cb-tuffy.html

 

[IronYuppy]

This thread really helped me when I did my Tuffy install. I wrote mine up and posted a few pics in the Electronics forum. Here's a link:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/333965-anyone-ever-install-cb-tuffy.html

Just an update: since I posted this thread, I have installed a set of LX450 seats. Not sure exactly why, but the Lexus 2nd Row seats both fold AND tumble with my console in its place. So I assume that if you have either Lexus seats or LC factory-installed leather seats, you will have a good fit there.

 

[Ebag333]

Do you see any difference between the two sets of seats?

 

[IronYuppy]

Do you see any difference between the two sets of seats?

I didn't do a side-by-side comparison of them, and I threw away my (basically destroyed) manual seat set.

I had assumed - prior to installing them - that the Lexus seats would be more padded, and therefore wouldn't fold away as easily as the original seats did, but they are absioutely a better fit. It could be that their foam is softer and compresses better.

As far as the front seats, it is night and day. My original seats were factory fabric with dealer-installed leather. They were too wide and offered little support. Also, the PO had dogs, so the leather was all ripped and wrecked from claw marks and chewing. The backs were basically flat, with no lumbar support and the headrests were too far back.

The Lexus seats have a way better fit, plus excellent back/lumbar support and tilting headrests. They fit about as well as my 2nd gen 4Runner's SR5 seats, which are about the most comfortable seats I ever owned.

Plus the electric option gives way more range of movement, not just front and back, but up and down.

 

[timer00]

Just got my Tuffy console the other day and have it all set to go but need to wait for 1" square tubing to mount the way described in this thread.

Here is 2 pics of the basic setup in the truck. I find the gray to match pretty darn well with the gray leather.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Anyone ever thought about relocating the e-brake? Seems like there would be a lot more room for a center console like this or even better with the e-brake lever moved. Maybe migrate the e-brake to a pull handle type in the footwell area?

I have been thinking of a good way to do this since I got my cruiser and installed my CB in the center console..went from a 92 pathfinder with 1 cup holder center console (that lasted about 4 months until I upgraded to a 97 truck dash and a 99 center console) into a cruiser with 2 cup holders LOL! so long story short, when I get time I WILL figure it out and modify the heck out of it.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Just got my Tuffy console the other day and have it all set to go but need to wait for 1" square tubing to mount the way described in this thread.

Here is 2 pics of the basic setup in the truck. I find the gray to match pretty darn well with the gray leather.

View attachment 486899

View attachment 486900
View attachment 486899View attachment 486900

so will the rear seats tumble with the #013 ??

 

[hamishpotter]

Do any HAM mobile units fit into the stereo compartment? I'm assuming yes, but wondering since I haven't found one yet in search..

 

[greentruck]

Do any HAM mobile units fit into the stereo compartment? I'm assuming yes, but wondering since I haven't found one yet in search..

I have a Bearcat BCD996T scanner mounted in my stereo-mount Tuffy. It's a single DIN mount and fits perfectly. Anything that size or smaller should fit.

 

[half k cruiser]

Do any HAM mobile units fit into the stereo compartment? I'm assuming yes, but wondering since I haven't found one yet in search..

Yes they will. I have a Kenwood in mine, and I think another local club member has a Yaesu in his. They must be installed with the console out of the rig, then, if your smart you will run a pigtail coax through the bottom. Otherwise you have to hold the console in the truck and fish your hand up in there to make the connection.