upgraded center console in 80 (1 Viewer)

[wierdbeard]

I've been looking through posts til my eyes are ready to pop out of my head, but no luck. I'm hoping to replace the center console in my 80 with something that can be locked securely and still retains as much of the look as the stock one. I've looked at Tuffy boxes and according to the application chart they don't make one that fits the 80. Does anyone know of a aftermarket console or has made their own? I am capable with metal (far more so than wood) -you should see the desk i made, so if you know of manufacturers of some of the various parts please let me know. (hinges, locks - preferably touchpad with key bypass) I have some ideas about things that i'd like to incorporate and want to see if anyone has done it.

thanks

 

[Corbet]

there is nothing commercially available to my knowledge.

I've only seen one thread with an attempt to build some cup holders into the center console.

If your looking to add a small secure storage box, what about a gub type safe under the seat? Bolt to floor and your done.

 

[corsair23]

Buy a Tuffy and mod up a mount for it? Are any of them close in size that they would fit??

 

[tomatopants]

I thought I remembered reading an advertisement in Toyota Trails for something of that nature.



I believe it's a frequently run ad. From within the last year.....




I could be wrong. And I'm too lazy to go look. But. Yeah.

 

[Phil H]

Some of the Australians on the old 80's COOL list had talked of purchases they made in OZ for center consoles. I recall searching for one several yrs back. Several vendors had em and they certainly offered some nice features. Very nice build quality. Some were very utilitarian; some more OEM-like. They were not cheap - no where near the Tuffy consoles that the Jeep crowd purchases. Try checking the Oz offroad magazine websites for ad's and you may find one of those vendors. Seems like even the ARB stores in OZ offerred some choices.

 

[Shipwreck]

dfmorse installed the 8" tuffy console in his 80 series.

RigProj : OPR View1

Maybe he post up here with a few details.

 

[wierdbeard]

tuffy box

I looked through the last Toyota trails and the only ad i saw was for the Tuffy Box. as for which one may fit i'm not sure, if it comes to that i'll pull the factory one out and get some accurate measurements then see what may fit in there. I'm going through the LCOOL stuff now to see what i can find. I've dusted off the CAD software last night and started to refresh the brain on its use. to come up with some preliminary plans.

 

[Rookie2]

I tried to get somebody on the Lexus board to measure the dimensions of the lid portion that's on the console of the late 90's ES 300 (I think that's the one may be SC 300). Looks like the same leather color and similar size, but it's got two cup holders that retract out of the front edge. Never got any feedback on it, so still don't know if it'd work, but if it did, it'd be the best solution to our cupholder whoas.

 

[wierdbeard]

no luck on lcool

Well i've had no luck finding anything on the LCOOL site, although i have to admit navigating forums is not my forte'. As i've been going through a checklist in my nugget of what i need to have access to, i figured i'd look around the bay area and see what resources were available here as opposed to driving to So-Cal and using pops shop. Of interest to everyone in the bay area as well as several other locations throughout the states I found a business called TechShop which is basically as they describe it a health club full of tools and equipment. Join and use the shop tools. Very nice... make sexy time. So i've decided to go forward on the design and fabrication as well as continue looking for aftermarket possibilities.

- Material - Steel (at least 16 gauge)
- tubular or aboy lock mechanism (DOJ approved)
- powdercoated
- 110v as well as 12v power outlets (internally wired)
- Internal Cooling fan
- Switches for aux lights
- either CB installed in unit or those CUP HOLDERS!!

the cup holders will prolly be it, as i may put the CB in the dash. Oh and i am going to try and still use the factory leather lid as an arm rest or find one that will work. I plan on having the top fore and rear corners rounded to mimic as close the factory shape. There's no use in having something secure if its not at least semi-passable.

So i'm still looking for a supplier of locks, security piano hinges, fan, transformer units, switches, mounting hardware. I have a simple line sketch that i banged out earlier that if anyone is interested i will post here later, maybe you folks could give me some feedback on.

 

[CDFarmer]

oppositelock.com.au/

Man-a-fre or Downey, at one point, imported a "left hand drive" version of this console, pretty sure its only available in OZ now, thought the pics may help you out. Opposite lock does still sell them for "Right Hand Drive" 80's if that helps you.....
Chris

 

[IronYuppy]

Resurrecting this thread because I got an 8" Tuffy console from the Jolly Fat Man (not Calstyl), and I'm seeking advice on mounting brackets....

 

[sandcruiser]

I just put in the tuffy from my 60. I don't recall the official designation (bought it ... 7 years? ago)

it doesn't fit *great* but it does fit. Pics to follow.

one problem: the cupholders are hard to incorporate. Very hard. Mine are going to end up on the back--- facing the rear seats. Not ideal, but better than no cupholder (sorta)

 

[89s rule]

Guy in the 60 forum used an aftermarket J**p Grand Cherokee console and it looked very nice. Cant remember the thread though.

 

[sdtash]

Have you tried these dudes. People here in OZ rate them fairly high

Department of the Interior Car Consoles & 4WD Storage Drawers overhead consoles roof consoles custom built consoles 4WD interiors dashboard restorations storage systems vehicle consoles radio console dashboard repairs dashboard pod four wheel drive

 

[dnp]

Have you tried these dudes. People here in OZ rate them fairly high

Department of the Interior Car Consoles & 4WD Storage Drawers overhead consoles roof consoles custom built consoles 4WD interiors dashboard restorations storage systems vehicle consoles radio console dashboard repairs dashboard pod four wheel drive

They've got some cool designs! I especially like the design of the one on the bottom left corner of the page. That looks like it'd hold everything I need!

 

[IronYuppy]

Have you tried these dudes. People here in OZ rate them fairly high

Department of the Interior Car Consoles & 4WD Storage Drawers overhead consoles roof consoles custom built consoles 4WD interiors dashboard restorations storage systems vehicle consoles radio console dashboard repairs dashboard pod four wheel drive

A long time ago, they offered a rear storage compartment which mounted above the rear hatch opening. It was a good size for a first aid kit, manuals/maps, a small tow strap, and so-forth. It also had a bottom mounted light that was way better than the stock cargo light.

Unfortunately they don't make it anymore. I'd be all over one of those.

 

[roncruiser]

If we can only convince Tuffy to design and sell us 80 series owners a center security console! I'd buy one... even if it was a little higher priced. I wonder if we can get some momentum going... if they'd even be interested... if we got the momentum going.

 

[Gone Bush]

I know this thread is about 80 series but here is an example of some consoles from Dept of the Interior, mentioned above, that I have put into my 70 series. They are in Sydney. Not cheap, but good stuff.

 

[roncruiser]

Nice! Real Nice! I'd pay a little more for a well designed center security console (with cup holders!). I'm not talking about taking a current tuffy and hacking it into place either. I'm talking about a tuffy center console designed given the interior of the 80 series.

Something we can all buy.

 

[Tapage]

Gone Buch .. plenty of room and pockets added to a 70 series .. if you can tell us how much for the hole console - shifter . ?