Installing High Series Center Console into a 91-94?

[MrMatt]

Hey guys,

Well I got another explorer, 93 XLT, anyway, the arm rest is missing and their are a few dings and scratches on the center console, so I was kind of thinking of replacing it with one of the high series center consoles out of a newer Explorer.

First has anyone succesfully done this? Any pictures or a write up somewhere?

Next is it possible for me to wire up the Heat/Air in the back to work and if I get the little message center can that be interfaced into a 93 or not?

On the computer I know it would be a PITA if its possible I just dont know if the 93 has the hookups the message center needs.

Thanks for the info guys.
-Matt

 

[MrMatt]

Bump

 

[EliteConcept]

i'd be intrested in knowing if this would work too

 

[MrMatt]

If I dont get a response here Im going to make a template of my dad's from his 98' mounty and see if it looks like it lines up close enough to make it worth messing with.

-Matt

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

Zensius did it. Check out this thread.

Mike

 

[zensius]

Yeah, I did it. I ditched all the electronics in it 'cause I'm pretty sure there's no way (in hell) to connect with the truck. The front message center doesn't align well with the dash anyway. It comes up about 4 inches short. The fan controls in the back would take way too much work to connect and are beyond my electronics knowledge. I don't want to fight with the kids over the heat anyway. I plan on putting an outlet for my inverter in their place. The replement piece that fills the hole where the message center used to be is made of vacuum formed plastic but could be made of fiberglass. BTW That console rules! It swallows stereo gear. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[MrMatt]

Do you Have any pictures by chance?

Is it pretty mutch just a bolt in affair or did you have to do any custom fab work?

It looked to me when I measured the one in my dads mounty that it was pretty close to fitting but I was worried about how the front of it where its slanted would line up with the older model's dash.

Well let me know, Im going to see how much the junkyard wants for one and keep my eyes open on ebay, My arm rest needed to be replaced anyway so I figure I might as well just upgrade the whole thing

-Matt

 

[zensius]

Check the thread that Mike 92 XLT posted for pictures. The console fits fine except the front cubby thing has to go like I said. Then I custon fabbed a piece that matched the new console up to the dash.

 

[MrMatt]

Sorry I didnt notice the thread before with the link, looks nice, I was hoping the cubbies would still work, but even without them it looks good,

Ill have to keep that in mind, Im going to see how much the junkyard wants for one probably this week. Not sure what I would use to cover the top with since I dont do heat-formed plastic

-Matt

 

[EliteConcept]

do all the bolt holes line up?
how big of a gap does it leave with the bottom of the dash?

thanks
ryan

 

[zensius]

I honestly don't remember if the blt holes line up. It conforms to the floor perfectly. And with it wedged under my dash it stays in place no problem. I'm sure it wouldn't take to much work to bolt the new one to the floor if you get it's brackets with it.
Without a new piece to replace the old cubbie hole thing there's gonna be a pretty big hole.

 

[EliteConcept]

the old cubbie hole you speak of, is this where the onboard message computer deally is? i would love to find one of these and slap my tv in there...would that work to fill the hole?

 

[zensius]

Well, I'm sure someone could do some fabbing that would allow you to use the cubbie/computer part at the end of the console. The problem is it turns up too early and comes to high. The result is that it blocks the ashtray on the dash. I'll try and get a photo that shows this.

 

[EliteConcept]

well i don't use the ashtray so it would work for me eh?

 

[MrMatt]

If a picture of the console with the tubs/computer still installed isnt too much work that would be great, I also dont care about the ashtray so if it looked acceptable I may still consider it.

Thanks.

-Matt