How to: Remove and Reinstall 1st Gen Console

[Crankcase]

My center console was wobbling pretty bad in my '92, so I decided to rip it out and see if I could fix the problem.

The following is a step by step thread on how to remove the 91-94 (and some later models) center console, and fix the wobble.

I am also including some interesting ideas I had for the console.


1. I started by inserting a small screwdriver into the plugs on the side of the console to pull out the plugs that cover the bolt locations for the arm rest.

 

[Crankcase]

2. I then removed the four bolts that hold the armrest on (two on each side). I believe the bolts are 5/16.The bolts are best reached by reclining the seat all the way back.

**Be careful when replacing these, if you drop the bolt inside the console, you have to take out the whole console again to reach the dropped bolt, unless you have a magnet on a string**

 

[Crankcase]

3. The armrest is held on by one of two ways, a metal, or plastic bracket. The plastic braket is factory OEM equipment from 1992, and was very prone to breaking. If you break yours, the dealer sells you a metal replacement piece.

The all plastic ones are very rare unbroken, and not cracked. In fact, out of the 4 Explorers in my family, we only have one all plastic bracket.

The metal one is a very good replacement though, so if you break yours, try to get the new bracket.

Anyways, after unbolting it, the armrest lifts straight up, and out.

 

[Crankcase]

4. Underneath the armrest is a screw holding the back of the console down. Take it out.

 

[Crankcase]

5. On the front, there will be one of three cup holder choices:

1991, and some 1992's have a single cupholder.
1992-1994 have the dual cupholder, with side by side cupholders. (Pictured below)
1995+ have the dual cupholders that have one above the other.

Take out the 4 screws, and the whole black plastic part lifts straight out.

 

[Crankcase]

There are two screws below the black part, and in this blurry pic, they would be in the two right holes. The whole console slips up and out after taking these out also.

 

[Crankcase]

7. There are four nuts holding down the braket for the armrest. That is where my problem with the wobbling came from. Take all four off, and lift the bracket straight up to remove it.

 

[Crankcase]

8. My bracket was broken where one of the bolts goes through to secure it to the floor. the whole thing is a sort of cheap aluminum alloy, so it is pretty fragile. Another Explorer I did this too had three out of the four broken off. I realised I need to make a new "foot" for that area.

 

[Crankcase]

9. I whipped out my Dremel tool, and cut some bent sheet metal to fit the area that was broken off.

I later realised that I had to cut off that thin piece of metal on the inside to get it to fit back in the floor. You could just use a 90 degree angle bracket here.

I drilled one hole in it to put the bolt in the floor though, and one for the mounting bolt to hold it to thew OEM braket.

 

[Crankcase]

10. Here is a shot of the 4 studs that the bracket bolts to. The black thing is the duct for the rear heat/ac.

 

[Crankcase]

11. The bracket holds great, and the whole console is rock solid now.

 

[Crankcase]

Fakrwee's picture clearly shows how the bracket goes over the duct, and bolts down.

 

[Crankcase]

12. I had the brainstorm of taking out the inner basket of my console to test fit an inverter in there while I had the thing apart. I would have to alter the inner liner to fit it in there, but it could be done. Has anyone done this before?

 

[Jimbo]

I removed my Console but i havent removed that bar thing...

probally gonna do it tomorrow now that i know how

 

[VairKing]

Excelent write up. I think the 2nd gen center console (especially those with the computer built in) are much more difficult. It was by far one of the most difficult things to remove when I soundproofed my interior...

 

[bates]

Good work Ryan, now I know why I couldn't just pull mine out. Would a dual cupholder fit in place of the early single cupholder piece, I need the extra beverage transportation capacity

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by bates
Good work Ryan, now I know why I couldn't just pull mine out. Would a dual cupholder fit in place of the early single cupholder piece, I need the extra beverage transportation capacity

Yes, the 2 cupholder part as far as I can tell, was designed to be added to the 1991 design with the single cupholder. The whole coin tray and everything is one piece....

 

[Commtech]

I like the idea that Crancase had of putting in an inverter, but it would reduce storage for me.
I have 2 kids and going on a long trip they plug into the DC outlet to run youngest daughters DVD player and oldest daughters laptop. I got tired of fighting the cords going up to my ashtray, not to mention I had to unplug my cell phone charger.
What I did was cut a hole in the back of the console and put in a DC outlet. I cut the hole off to the side a little to make sure that the outlet would not short against the metal post and ran the wire up to the dash under the carpet. This works GREAT!.
Just to make sure I don't blow a fuse with all the power drain, I use a small jump start battery as a buffer. It has 2 12 volt outlets and a charger plug. I plug the charger into the console and plug whatever needs the 12v into the 2 outlets of the jump battery.

I am thinking of taking out my ashtray and putting in 2 outlets there, as well as a few light switches. I have seen another post with someone putting in a CB in the ashtray slot (mine won't fit there though).

 

[Con Seann3ry]

I just wanted to say, awesome post, I ripped all my interior out while I'm doing my body lift (and the fact that both front seats have problems) and was wondering how to get out the center console (moves around a bit). I was like "i wonder if someone has wrote about this" and searched and it worked out perfect. Thanks. Also, did anyone find out about the inverter fitting there? I might just have to do that while I have it all apart.

 

[Crankcase]

My idea for the inverter would be to get a Junk basket (console liner), and cut off about 2" of material around the sides. Then place the the bottom up higher and seal it up somehow.

In this pic, the blue part is the removed bottom of the console basket. The old bottom with the tape slots is now the new bottom, moved up 2"