Console Replacement - Interchangeable?

[PolarBlueIce]

The middle console in my 1998 XL 4-door is the type that has a diving board lever top (I'll refer to it as "Type A" console). A very stupid engineering marvel, because it was designed to break with the repeated weight of your arm resting on it. Yes, it did eventually snap right off, leaving a sharp piece of plastic behind to cause minor injuries. It also leaves me without an arm-rest, and looks awful. I have found a different type of console (I'll refer to it as "Type B" console) at an auto-wrecker, in excellent condition, that came from what I think is a 1997 XLT 4-door. I'm sure that I've seen this Type B console in my year/model before. I brought the salvaged Type B console to a mechanic, but he was reluctant to install it because it was not the identical (Type A "diving board") console like mine. This Type B console is a full length kind with lots of electrical options (climate control) facing the rear. When we took it out of the old vehicle, it looked like the same floor-track to hold it down as in my X. Anyone know if I can make use of it? I do not want to put in any of the wiring for the air vents, I just want this Type B firm sitting lid, because it is engineered logically, so as to avoid a "lever" that would snap under weight. I have comparison pics of these two types of console at: http://www.pacificislandsinfo.com/xplorer/explorer.htm Email your ideas if you will: taori@tvds.net Thanks, Vincent

 

[JDraper]

Yep, you can change consoles. I swapped out the short console in my '01 (Your "Type A") for a full length console (Your "Type B") out of a '97 Explorer. You have to make sure you get the bracket that is riveted to the floor and the front of the heater box where it meets the console from the donor truck to make it work. . You don't have to rivet the bracket into your truck, just bolt it down. I've got everything except the radio controls working on my console. The heater controls took a bit of wiring to make work.

 

[PolarBlueIce]

Thanks for the speedy reply Jeff. This is encouraging! Thanks for the advice too...I will go back to the auto-wrecker to get the heater block to attach up to it, and the floor tracks. I didn't think I would need to take the floor tracks because I thought I could bolt the Type B console onto the tracks that are already in my X (but maybe they're different??). Anyway, I have posted pics of these consoles at http://www.pacificislandsinfo.com/xplorer/explorer.htm I also checked out your site...love your red X -- nice front bumper. I suppose I could also change my bumper to have one with fog lamps? What about wiring then? Thanks, Vincent

 

[JDraper]

The bumper on my truck is stock with a Smittybilt Outland brushguard over it. The bumper came with plastic inserts in it where the fogs are. I took the inserts out and added a set of KC Hilites series 50 lights and used the wiring that came with the fogs. I mounted my switch in the center console where it meets the dash. Somewhere on this website there is a thread on mounting switches. Do a search for "mounting switches" and it should come up.

 

[PolarBlueIce]

Jeff, thanks again...I will probably wait a long while yet for the bumper change...too many other projects on the go. For now, I just have to get this console put in. Is there any manual that I could get to help me put it in myself? I wouldn't feel too comfortable playing with electric wiring, but I would like to get the heater/fans at the rear of the console...the radio part...I probably won't get into that.

 

[faywho]

How much do you think it would cost to have the "type B" console installed from a professional? Also, would a Ford dealership do the job?

 

[PolarBlueIce]

I haven't checked with Ford dealership...but I'm sure they want too much...and they'll see me coming...and they'll start making up a lot of reasons why it's going to cost so much...starting with the fact that they see I want this delux (Type B) console to replace my cheapy Type A console. Then they will say that I require all these other parts to "make it fit" with the rear heat and radio controls...and on and on and on... Even "my mechanic" didn't want to bother with it, saying it was not the exact console built for this vehicle...which is not entirely true. Physically it fits, but it will block my lighter & ashtray (this is placed elsewhere on Type B console). But I will make it fit. I've been too busy lately to take it anywhere or to try to do it myself. I'll update the posting with what happens.

 

[PolarBlueIce]

Centre Console - Photos

OK, I now have photographed every angle of this new premium full-length centre floor console that I pulled from an XLT ... and wonder about the TWO NAIL HOLES that are in the dash of the XLT ... these match two big nails that extend from the console. I wonder, if I pull out the cigarette lighter & ashtray from my XL, if my dash will have the two nail holes there to accept this console. Jeff? You still there? Did you encounter this? Check the pics at http://www.pacificislandsinfo.com/xplorer/explorer.htm and scroll half-way down the page to "Photos for Comparison & Discussion". Anyone else have ideas/suggestions? Thanks, Vincent taori@tvds.net

 

[witchdoctor]

after removing the ashtray, the holes will line up just right. the screws to the floor under the type b cupholders will bolt up directly as well. at the rear of the type b, these holes will not line up with the holes from your type a. you have two choices here: drill two new holes in the floor, or i attached two plastic hooks to the existing bolt locations in the floor and then used two thick zip ties to pass thru the holes in the new console. if you snug these down right, it won't move at all.

 

[JDraper]

Sheesh! Now you're really taxing my memory !! From what I remember, the two posts fit into factory holes once the ashtray is removed. If not, a drill will fix the problem nicely. As witchdoctor said, you will have to drill new holes in the floor to bolt it down. I think I used self tapping SST screws to hold mine down after I drilled pilot holes. I just filled the holes from the old console with some rtv sealant.

On edit, I'm gonna try to remember to look at my console mounting tonight for the floor mounting stuff If I remember right, I had to remove the original mount from the floor to fit the new console. Wiring is also tricky for the fan controls..I had to tap both my stock heater controls and a switched power supply if I remember correctly. Took me about 2 days to figure out what I had to do while using a multimeter. I also remember having at least one relay (maybe 2) in the console....IF YOU CAN GET THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE WRECKED X THAT IS IN THE DASH, GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That will make your wiring mucho easier. I checked on the price of one new and it was around $1k

 

[PolarBlueIce]

Witchdoctor, thanks for the info. So the two dash holes should be there, and the two holes under the Type B cupholder location, but the two REAR holes of Type B console won't be on the floor of my XL? A bit of a surprise to me. I expected the floor mounting holes (all of them) to be there, but not the dash holes. JDraper, yes I can try to go back to the junkyard to ask for the wiring, hopefully they won't ask me more for it. But on the other hand, I don't know how to do any of this myself, and it would cost too much for me to pay a professional, so maybe I should just forget about the wiring. When I started on this, all I really needed to do was to replace the broken and badly designed armrest on the diving board Type A console. I'm sure Ford did this on purpose! They couldn't be that stupid. JDraper, what do you mean you had to remove the original floor mount? On the last photo on my webpage, that is the floor mount, and it appeared to be part of the floor itself. Is that the part that can be removed? I have not yet taken my own console out to see what the floor looks like underneath it. Thanks Guys.

 

[CDW6212R]

Take your time to mount it securely to the floor. These consoles are very heavy, and everyone complains about vibrating side to side at speed. There is even some kind of bracket that Ford sells to help some models with that. Good luck,
DonW

 

[Premier]

Ford designed console A for people like me... with a manual. I dont know why you got one?

 

[PolarBlueIce]

OK, it's done! I finally got around to getting my full-length console (from an XLT) put into my XL ... I didn't do it myself, but got Ford (dealership) to do it at the same time when I needed them to do minor autobody repair. Cost me $100 CAD but it was worth it. It fits perfectly, but I did not ask for any of the elaborate wiring--just the cigarette lighter (to charge cellphone). Nice to have a big strong armrest in there again! Thanks for all your input guys, especially Jeff Draper. I'll soon have new pics posted on the "CONSOLE - INSTALLED" link at: http://www.pacificislandsinfo.com/xplorer/explorer.htm

 

[wilsonmc3]

I have a question that you all may be able to assist me with. I accidentally bought an incorrect center console for my 00 Explorer Sport. I'm now selling the console. The invoice from the salvage yard said "01 Explorer Console for 2 dr".

My question is, how can I find out what Explorer models this will fit in so I can sell it properly. The codes on the interior of the console do not go along with what I have learned about Ford part numbers:
44ZG-2500
1L2X-98044073-ACW
SAE GABS CH

I am totally naive about this - please help! Thank you so much,
FordGirl

 

[PolarBlueIce]

I'm not qualified to help you, sorry. All I did to try to find the right console type was to look in other Explorers of my year and 1 or 2 years earlier. I just eyeballed it, and really believed it would fit. I then asked here and got what seem quite accurate information--which did turn out to be correct. Can the junk yard take it back (refund you) so you don't have to try to sell it? Why do you have to replace your console? Same problem as mine? Faulty design to ensure breakage? Maybe if you go to Ford Parts dealership, they can tell you actual part numbers as well as which model years can fit?

 

[svande8952]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would like to put the "type B" console in my 1st gen sport. Does anyone know if I can just bore some holes in the floor and bolt this thing in? Has anyone done it?