2005 ST Center Console

dgonz · April 22, 2010

Okay I bought my ST used and I had a question about the center console. Mine seems to be missing a part of it. It has the cupholders and everything but underneath the armrest it's just empty.. Is that how it's supposed to be? there's a plastic ridge where it looks like something may have sat there before (I'll post pics later to show what I mean, I'm at work right now sorry) And if there is something I can put there could someone show me where to get a replacement? i did some searches but I don't trust generic parts without hearing from someone who knows first. Thanks for the help in advance.

Clusterpup · April 22, 2010

Its supposed to have a bag there. Mine didnt come with it either. Heres a phot of one. Sometimes you can find them on ebay.

dgonz · April 22, 2010

ah....that looks horrible lol. I was browsing through the threads here and saw a few different replacement guides. I don't want to replace the whole thing if I could find something plastic...like a REAL center console to put there that would fit with as little modifying the rest of the console that would be great. I just feel like that's a waste of storage space....any ideas? I just need a funny shaped bucket lol

gguerra · April 22, 2010

It is supposed to have a pouch made of fabric that attaches to the ridge you mentioned. Mine was missing as well.. You are not really missing anything. I would prefer to have a compartment with a lid. I was considering buying a universal type console that would fit. I have not done that yet since I not sure about the mounting.. Here is one example but there are many.. I have an 03 BTW
http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.com/catalog/details/Rampage/Center_Console/R9231617.html

dgonz · April 22, 2010

Same here that's exactly what I want. Something hard with a lid, but I'm hesitant to buy generic stuff too....mine's an 05, same measurements right?

Clusterpup · April 22, 2010

You can use consoles from older explorers and rangers.

dgonz · April 22, 2010

nice. So if I were to find one on ebay or something. Could I just take out the compartment and screw it into my console without replacing the entire console?

ncranchero · April 22, 2010

Here's the thread where I changed mine out for the older style.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275091
Here's a step by step to do it.
http://www.mysporttrac.com/MySportTrac/projects/Console_Swap_Gen1.pdf

If your arm rest is still good it can be used on the older consoles or sell it and use the older but stronger arm rest. A good arm rest will bring more than the whole replacement console will cost you.

dgonz · April 22, 2010

oh that's awesome thank you so much. Just gotta find an older one to use now. That's exactly what I was looking for thanks

can't believe that bag was an option....that thing looks horrible

ncranchero · April 22, 2010

I hated the bag from the beginning!

The older consoles are not too hard to find, what with all of the scrapped Explorers from Obama's Clunker program.

dgonz · April 22, 2010

yea that almost seems like they were done with everything else when they designed the car and just said "well I don't want to spend anymore money so lets throw a diaper bag where the center console should go" haha

awesome, i'll go junk yard-ing this weekend. Thanks a lot for your help. This is a great forum.

gguerra · April 23, 2010

Clusterpup said:
You can use consoles from older explorers and rangers.

When you say "older", what years are you talking about?? Also it might be easier to find an aftermarket console for the older Explorers than the Trac. Would the mounting screws on the bottom line up the same??

ncranchero · April 23, 2010

Aftermarket, universal consoles are not going to mount the same. The support bracket in the OEM consoles make the console and arm rest very sturdy.

The consoles for ANY standard 4-door Explorer 1991 - 2001 & 2-door Sport models 1991-2003 will bolt right in. Even the Bronco II consoles will I think. We are speaking of the "SHORT" consoles here, not the full length high series consoles. The high series consoles are Sport Trac only due to where the crash module is located.

gguerra · April 23, 2010

ncranchero said:
Aftermarket, universal consoles are not going to mount the same. The support bracket in the OEM consoles make the console and arm rest very sturdy.

The consoles for ANY standard 4-door Explorer 1991 - 2001 & 2-door Sport models 1991-2003 will bolt right in. Even the Bronco II consoles will I think. We are speaking of the "SHORT" consoles here, not the full length high series consoles. The high series consoles are Sport Trac only due to where the crash module is located.

By the Aftermarket I did not mean Universal. Although I haven't looked I thought the chances of finding an aftermarket replacement console (not universal) for early Explorers would be better than finding one for the Trac. Also when you say "SHORT" I assume you mean height and not length?? How would I know the difference? It is obvious? Thanks

I did find this and even though it is a universal console, one of the reviews mentioned that it fits perfectly into an explorer..
http://www.jcwhitney.com/premium-grade-consoles/p2007484.jcwx

ncranchero · April 23, 2010

For some reason I can't get that link to work.

No, I meant length. Here is the "long and short" of it all.

Everyone has their own tastes and preferences. I'm just showing an optional and inexpensive option.

This is the piece inside an OEM console that gives it it's strength. I don't think you'll find that in any console other than the OEM console.

gguerra · April 23, 2010

Let me repost the link. This one should work.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/premium-grade-consoles/p2007484.jcwx?skuId=316050

It is "supposed" to be better than OEM.. You'll notice the quotes.. Although the reviews do rate it high. I should mention I have a manual tranny that has a stick shift, so the long console would not fit anyway.

ncranchero · April 23, 2010

It's pretty............

You only have yourself to please in your choice.

briwayjones · April 23, 2010

gguerra said:
Let me repost the link. This one should work.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/premium-grade-consoles/p2007484.jcwx?skuId=316050

It is "supposed" to be better than OEM.. You'll notice the quotes.. Although the reviews do rate it high. I should mention I have a manual tranny that has a stick shift, so the long console would not fit anyway.

That link just goes to the main page. An OEM long non-message center console will fit even with a manual tranny. You just remove the pocket, it's right in the right spot for the stick shift.

ncranchero · April 23, 2010

briwayjones said:
That link just goes to the main page. An OEM long non-message center console will fit even with a manual tranny. You just remove the pocket, it's right in the right spot for the stick shift.

The one you speak of has no rear vents or radio controls, right? The interferences I've found is with the crash module being in the way of the duct to the rear vent.

What are these found in........specifically the year, trim level, etc. I haven't seen one of them yet. Any photos???

Odd, that second link worked when I first tried it ..........

briwayjones · April 23, 2010

ncranchero said:
The one you speak of has no rear vents or radio controls, right? The interferences I've found is with the crash module being in the way of the duct to the rear vent.

What are these found in........specifically the year, trim level, etc. I haven't seen one of them yet. Any photos???

Odd, that second link worked when I first tried it ..........

No the ones with the climate controls. Are there any long consoles without climate controls? You would have to get creative in re-routing the climate ducts if you make the rear vents functional. They are found from '95-'01 4dr explorers XLT and up, '95-'03 Sports (2dr explorers) and from about '95-current Rangers.

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