How to install a center console

[nakhtar]

I recently purchased a used 96 XLT 2WD. I'm interested in replacing the center console w/an Eddie Bauer type center console w/rear radio and vents. Is this a complicated project.

Thanks.

 

[Crankcase]

What type do you have now? The smaller one?

 

[RFR2212]

Originally posted by Crankcase
What type do you have now? The smaller one?

He's got an XLT... so I'm assuming he's wanting to add rear seat stereo controls, as well as the rear air vent/fan controls back there...

Am I correct?

 

[tribalwind]

Has anyone on this forum built a custom console unit?
i'm thinking of designing something myself to custom fit audio/video/ storage space into. of course ill have to settle on what a/v equiptment im buying first.which is a Huge project im finding out,well least for me,my wants/needs are kinda specific,(ok , picky)

id like to have an amp, power inverter,cd-changer hidden in the middle part between the seats,then id have the console extend up to the dash,,the center could be used for holding cd's ,1 or 2 cups(deeper ones), sunglasses,cell phone(which i dont own yet either,lol) or i may install a removable/portable dvd/mp3/cd player there ,like maybe this " Benq dvd-gem" im looking at or "Philips DVD 580m" though the philips isnt truly a portable.. it is small enough to be,and can be slotted longways 'into' the console since its not toploading and can be stood vertical.. well i guess i got off the topic of consoles a little ,i'll post my desires and questions in another area,,perhaps if there's an audio one in this board

 

[nakhtar]

Yes,

The one I have now does not have rear A/C vent and audio.

I've bought one from E-bay which has the A/C vents and rear audio controls.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

no it is not hard....just a mater of 6 bolts to take off...you will find 4 neg. wires...2 each to the rear speakers, and 2 pos. wires...1 each to the rear speakers....

 

[fordkrazy]

well ive had mine apart and i have all that...all you will need is a radio that supports the rear controls(not sure if they all do) and the back panel from a console with these features....all the wireing will be there....the rear air will be tricky cause i think that the non rear air console still has the tube for the floor vent but its used just for when the floor is selected on the front panel....the rear air always works when the front is on and has a supplemental fan mounted somewhere in the console so it might have to have floor selected for the rear air to work since on the standard models it only blows that vent when floor is selected....one way to see if it is different is to go to the dealership and ask them for the selector modual for the vent controls...if they ask you if it has rear air then it will be different and you will need one of those so it opens the baffle for the rear floor....or it may even be as complicated as the control motors and blower box being different...as for taking it apart...its not quite as easy as it has been described...unless you have done it you really need to hunt hunt hunt for screws...the pieces come off easy...so if it is stuck you still have a screw to get.....my best advice is to just take the whole thing apart as much as you can..it will make it easier and you will be able to see how everything works.

 

[Nick26]

I built a custom center console and lower dash panel... I ripped out the old one cause the armrest was broken anyway and the cup holders used to get in the way of my 5 Spd. Then I built a whole new one out of 3/8" plywood, wrapped in black vinyl and mounted an entire computer in there including p3 motherboard, ati all-in-wonder, sb live, dvd drive, 20GB HDD, power supply, power inverter. I even incorporated the factory cup holder tray in back and the original armrest. I took a ton of construction and completion pictures but my site isn't up right now. Don't know how much they'll help but as soon as I get home I'll post a follow up link...

 

[fordkrazy]

nick26....you dont have that comp. running while your driving do ya....cause unless you got a laptop HD in there your going to ruin clusters on it when a bump throws the reading head into the disk....normal HDs dont have shock absorbtion on the reading heads (thats why they read faster)...im sure you dont care cause if you have it in your car its probably for fun...just thought i would throw that out there.

 

[Nick26]

yep i thought of that, i have a regular 3.5" HDD but i mounted it on 4 springs so it doesn't get jolted hardly at all, it does bouce around a little ofcourse but even if it does go bad its not the end of the world. Although, I have had it in there since december and haven't gotten any bad spots yet, even with numerous hard power offs where I didn't have to time to shut the sucker down before killing the ignition. yay for western digital I guess.
About that link I said earlier, I had a little mobo troubel with my server so it might take a little longer than I intially thought.