DonImbimbo
05-07-2025, 11:35 AM
My Winter project was building a center console (in the heated basement). Here's how it started out.
213489
I divided the console into three sections: The storage portion with control panel, the section under the dash for Vintage Air control panel, and the center portion to connect the two. This was the only way I could wrap my head around the dimensions.
Here's another view with a proposal for cup holders.
213490
The next step was a wood model. One of the requirements I had was that the Vintage Air panel needs to stay in the truck even if the center console is removed, because the VA temperature probe is mechanical, not electric.
213491
So there are four screws that detach the VA panel and it removes out the front end.
Here's the final wood mock-up showing all the controls. I wanted the oval VA panel and the oval window switches to reflect the oval dash gauge layout.
213492
There are two wiring harnesses that are part of the console:
power window
dome / 3rd brake light
The doors on my truck will have pin switches to operate courtesy and dome lights. There is a dome light controller in the console that ramps up the brightness when a door is open, leaves the dome light on until the ignition turns on or times out in 30 seconds (from Timers.shop).
The 3 position rocker switch also controls the dome light: OFF, AUTO, and FORCED ON.
Here's the final result.
213493
The sides and lid have 1/4 inch foam under the vinyl. This whole build was totally new to me, never tried to build a center console. It took much longer than I expected (which is par for the course with this truck build).
213494
213495
213496
It's far from perfect but I'm pretty happy with the result. It attaches to the truck with 6 L brackets on the inside, 2 on the driveshaft tunnel and 4 on the transmission tunnel.
I guess I have procrastinated long enough, it's time to hang the doors!
213489
I divided the console into three sections: The storage portion with control panel, the section under the dash for Vintage Air control panel, and the center portion to connect the two. This was the only way I could wrap my head around the dimensions.
Here's another view with a proposal for cup holders.
213490
The next step was a wood model. One of the requirements I had was that the Vintage Air panel needs to stay in the truck even if the center console is removed, because the VA temperature probe is mechanical, not electric.
213491
So there are four screws that detach the VA panel and it removes out the front end.
Here's the final wood mock-up showing all the controls. I wanted the oval VA panel and the oval window switches to reflect the oval dash gauge layout.
213492
There are two wiring harnesses that are part of the console:
power window
dome / 3rd brake light
The doors on my truck will have pin switches to operate courtesy and dome lights. There is a dome light controller in the console that ramps up the brightness when a door is open, leaves the dome light on until the ignition turns on or times out in 30 seconds (from Timers.shop).
The 3 position rocker switch also controls the dome light: OFF, AUTO, and FORCED ON.
Here's the final result.
213493
The sides and lid have 1/4 inch foam under the vinyl. This whole build was totally new to me, never tried to build a center console. It took much longer than I expected (which is par for the course with this truck build).
213494
213495
213496
It's far from perfect but I'm pretty happy with the result. It attaches to the truck with 6 L brackets on the inside, 2 on the driveshaft tunnel and 4 on the transmission tunnel.
I guess I have procrastinated long enough, it's time to hang the doors!