Smittybilt Center Console Build

[EricG]

Hey guys,
A few pics and writeup on my center console project. Here's a link to the console - $90 from 4WheelParts:

Smittybilt Security Floor Console - Floor Console - Storage and Organizers - Interior Parts and Accessories - by 4 Wheel Parts

I think this console is pretty well put together. I've got a Tuffy out in the shop that I rescued from a jeep at the wrecking yard, and it feels pretty similar.

The goals for this project are, in no particular order...

- Cupholders!
- Additional 12V outlets
- Mounting for 2M radio
- Small 120V inverter
- More & lockable storage
- Arm rest

So here's the unmolested starting point.

 

[EricG]

The first step was removing the original center console to see how things are going to fit. I re-used the original mounting holes, as shown in the first picture. There's also a convenient ground screw.

The second picture shows the area under the shifter console. Note the small control box & bracket. As you can see in the 3rd picture, I removed the control unit and tucked it up under further and bent the bracket forward a bit. This lets you tuck the new console up tighter.

There are two empty plugs under there also. I tapped one from the 3 pin plug for accessory power to activate my relays.

 

[EricG]

I then placed the rear skirt in position around the rear heater outlet. I traced the heater outlet to drill vent holes. With this in place, you can also measure the required height for the mounting bracket.

 

[EricG]

Here's the completed bracket. It's 2.5" tall. I located it on the console by bolting it to the truck first, then setting the console in position and tracing the outline on the bottom of the console. Note that the front mounting hole is drilled as well. This was located by triangulating from the rear mounting holes with the bracket bolted to the console.

The inverter is mounted in this picture as well. It's a 180W Pure Sine unit from The Inverter Store: 180 Watt Pure Sine Power Inverter with USB Port by AIMS I obviously don't plan to run anything large with this - it's primarily to charge devices that I don't have a 12V adapter for, or running small electronics, etc. Also has a USB outlet for charging.

The inverter was mounted by removing the cover (4 screws on each end), bolting the cover to the console, then re-assembling the unit.

 

[EricG]

Here is the completed wiring. I used a 6 position fuse block to 40A relays. There is 1 relay for the 2M radio, one for the inverter, and 1 for the pair of 12V outlets mounted in the back of the skirt. Relays will tap into the accessory power wire identified earlier.

All grounds are run to a ground screw on the mounting bracket. The 10G green wire is then run to the mounting screw on the body described earlier. The bracket probably provides adequate ground by itself, but more ground will never hurt!

Also note the vent holes for the rear heater.

 

[EricG]

Next up is the radio. It's a Yaesu 2900R Welcome to Yaesu.com

Bracket is made from 0.063 Al sheet. It serves to mount the radio, protect it from all the other crap in the console, and also channel cooling air past it. the 2900 doesn't have a cooling fan - just a massive heat sink. So I mounted a 12V 40mm computer fan on the side of the console at the bottom - which I forgot to take a picture of. It pulls outside air into the bottom of the radio compartment and is controlled by a switch on the front of the console. There are a few holes at the top front of the radio compartment for the air to exhaust - and the lid isn't exactly airtight either. The fan moves a good bit of air, much more then the small fans some radios have.

3rd photo shows rough placement in the console - though obviously not squared up. You can also see the fan switch, vent holes and the grommeted hole for the mic cord in front of the radio.

 

[EricG]

So here it is, finally in the truck! I trimmed the edge of the shifter console a bit with a dremel sandpaper drum to get a nice fit up front.

Power comes in to the fuse block via an 8ga wire straight from the battery (60A inline Maxi-Fuse).

The radio has an external speaker, currently mounted to the drivers side headrest. Not sure if I'm sold on that yet.

The maglight mount was kind of a last minute idea, that's a 3-D cell light there. It does interfere with the parking brake a little unless you push it back so that the end of the light stick out past the end of the console. A 2 cell light would probably be better here.

 

[EricG]

I want to put cup holders in the back as well, but need to be able to fold & tumble the 2nd row seats sometimes. So I held off until I knew what kind of clearance I have. Looks like I'll need to find some collapsible ones. Anybody have any suggestions?

I'm very happy with the project. The only thing I'd probably change if I did it again would be the mounting bracket. I'd work something solid that I could run the bolts straight through the console, through the bracket, and into the bolt holes In fact, you could probably do away with the bracket entirely and just support the back of the console on the skirt. The mounting bolts were a PITA to get to & tighten.

 

[DeLux]

Very nice. You've inspired me to get rid of the bench seat in the front of my 80

 

[Itchy Sides]

Great job!

 

[Ebag333]

Very nice. You've inspired me to get rid of the bench seat in the front of my 80

I want a bench seat.

 

[Itchy Sides]

^ Trade him your console and buckets?

 

[Ebag333]

Would in a heart beat. The electric seats would be a small fortune to ship though, since the electrics weigh so much.

 

[arndog123]

Nice job.

 

[Sc0-]

Nice, any ideas as to what that controller does that you relocated?

 

[EricG]

Very nice. You've inspired me to get rid of the bench seat in the front of my 80

Thanks!
I've never seen a bench seat in an 80. Curious how it works with that big shifter console there. Got any pics?

 

[EricG]

Nice, any ideas as to what that controller does that you relocated?

Not sure exactly. Something to do with the shifter/transmission - maybe interlock logic?

 

[warpdriv]

Nice job dude. But my wife says you need to sweep your cruiser.

Sent from my DroidCruiser

 

[Bluetribal]

Here is what I did for a cup holder. It's low enough to not interfere with the seats folding forward but you would have to relocate your 12v plugs.

 

[EricG]

Nice job dude. But my wife says you need to sweep your cruiser.

Sent from my DroidCruiser

knew I was going to get that when I was looking at the pics last night!