Let's Talk Center Consoles

[JeepGuy]

As the title says, I'm looking for input or options on a center console set up for the Bronco. Working with a clean slate for the most part. I need room for the Winters shifter and a work around up over the tunnel cover to the dash. I'm guessing I will have to fabricate part, if not all, of this which should be a fun project.

Needs:
-Secure Storage
-Cup Holders
-Cell phone or smaller random junk tray
-USB or similar power output plug/s
-Possible place to mount switches

I'll add photos of what I'm starting with. I really don't have a problem making something, but I'm wondering if there are already things out there that I can piece together and cut the time of this project in at least half.

Then the question goes to do I build it out of wood then seal and cover? Or just fab it all out of square tube and 16-14 gauge steel panels?

If you have a center console, PLEASE post up your pictures.

 

[lars]

I'll bite. I have a Tuffy 8 inch wide (I think) center console that I bought at least 20 years ago. Love it. Last year I dumped my manual trans in favor of a 4R70W and wanted a Winters shifter. Collaborated with a friend to add an extension to the front of the console to house the shifter, cupholders etc.

 

[JeepGuy]

I'll bite. I have a Tuffy 8 inch wide (I think) center console that I bought at least 20 years ago. Love it. Last year I dumped my manual trans in favor of a 4R70W and wanted a Winters shifter. Collaborated with a friend to add an extension to the front of the console to house the shifter, cupholders etc.

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That looks great. My only issue with that set up would be my twin sticks are still in stock position. I'm assuming you have cable shifters? One option I have thought of was using a very similar tuffy box and just mounting it a bit further back. I forgot how much leg room there is behind these seats.

 

[JeepGuy]

Thinking I'll be busting out the CAD system later and mocking some stuff up.
Here is what I'm working with:

 

[JB Fab]

 

[lars]

That looks great. My only issue with that set up would be my twin sticks are still in stock position. I'm assuming you have cable shifters? One option I have thought of was using a very similar tuffy box and just mounting it a bit further back. I forgot how much leg room there is behind these seats.

I do have cable shifters, for my Atlas. Though after I was done with the install I realized that I could've kept the original Atlas mechanical linkage in the previous position, and they still would've fit. I might have needed to re-bend them slightly, but there was room. If you have a Dana 20 the shifters are even further forward and would likely fit what I have without issue.

Oh yeah and a shoutout to @JB Fab for a great product

 

[JeepGuy]

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Wow... That is very much inline with what I'm thinking. I do want to keep the dash looking original with the pull knobs etc... But taking a design like that and just shortening it at about dash height would work really well.

Do you have a build thread or anything about how you put that together?

 

[fordguy]

I do have cable shifters, for my Atlas. Though after I was done with the install I realized that I could've kept the original Atlas mechanical linkage in the previous position, and they still would've fit. I might have needed to re-bend them slightly, but there was room. If you have a Dana 20 the shifters are even further forward and would likely fit what I have without issue.

Oh yeah and a shoutout to @JB Fab for a great product

Amen to that, console is beautiful.

 

[FordBronc]

I am going to make one similar to this. But move my 3 gauge pod (gauges) down there. And make a cubby hole. NO boom boom speaker.

 

[Rox Crusher]

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Wholly piece of art Batman!

 

[4xfun]

View attachment 941656

Very nice work. I only see a couple of screws. Are you using mounting tabs or are most of them inside the console.

 

[eBronc2]

 

[FORD*DIEHARD]

Here is my setup. I included pictures of where I purchased the (triple Rocker switch box) and the Tunnel Cover Chubby (SOLID ONE) they also have one with the center already cut out. The final mounts for the (Gauges, Rocker switches and interior dome lights) were made to fit my application.

 

[JB Fab]

Wow... That is very much inline with what I'm thinking. I do want to keep the dash looking original with the pull knobs etc... But taking a design like that and just shortening it at about dash height would work really well.

Do you have a build thread or anything about how you put that together?

No build thread, but I might have a couple of pics. I did this one with Cardboard Assisted Design since it was going to be a one-off (so no drawings).
I do know a guy that makes ones similar (nicer)... https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082399045171

 

[JeepGuy]

I do have cable shifters, for my Atlas. Though after I was done with the install I realized that I could've kept the original Atlas mechanical linkage in the previous position, and they still would've fit. I might have needed to re-bend them slightly, but there was room. If you have a Dana 20 the shifters are even further forward and would likely fit what I have without issue.

Oh yeah and a shoutout to @JB Fab for a great product

So what did you do with the mechanical portion of the shifter that is below the console? I would assume part of it is inside the taller portion of the box. Did you clock the mechanism down to accomplish this or just leave it at a 90 compared to the mounting surface.

I ask because I have an older 9" wide tuffy style box that looks very similar to what you have there.

Where I currently have the shifter located works perfectly for my hand position in relation to where the seat is at. I could raise it about 4" and it would pretty much be like most modern auto cars that still have stick style shifters. If I do use that old box, I was thinking of just cutting out that side and then boxing it in, kind of creating a compartment for the shifter linkage alond that side of the box. Shouldn't be too hard to conceal the linkage in there.

 

[JeepGuy]

Here is my setup. I included pictures of where I purchased the (triple Rocker switch box) and the Tunnel Cover Chubby (SOLID ONE) they also have one with the center already cut out. The final mounts for the (Gauges, Rocker switches and interior dome lights) were made to fit my application. View attachment 941765 View attachment 941766 View attachment 941768 View attachment 941772 View attachment 941773 View attachment 941770 View attachment 941774 View attachment 941771

Your idea is very similar to mine for upfront. I also want to utilize the gap between that front under dash set up back towards where the arm rest area would typically go. Noting to crazy. I think a 3" tall rectangular console would accommodate cup and cell phone/misc. item tray.

 

[JeepGuy]

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That entire set up is going to be awesome. Is that a one off or did you source the carbon fiber portion from another vehicle?

And it looks like you done some other extensive mods on the dash. Do you have a build thread going?

 

[JB Fab]

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If you need longer handles on the twin-sticks, we can do up to 6" longer for $40+ shipping.
JB

 

[lars]

So what did you do with the mechanical portion of the shifter that is below the console? I would assume part of it is inside the taller portion of the box. Did you clock the mechanism down to accomplish this or just leave it at a 90 compared to the mounting surface.

I ask because I have an older 9" wide tuffy style box that looks very similar to what you have there.

Where I currently have the shifter located works perfectly for my hand position in relation to where the seat is at. I could raise it about 4" and it would pretty much be like most modern auto cars that still have stick style shifters. If I do use that old box, I was thinking of just cutting out that side and then boxing it in, kind of creating a compartment for the shifter linkage alond that side of the box. Shouldn't be too hard to conceal the linkage in there.

Hopefully these photos show it better. Cable brackets go straight back. Cable goes down through a hole in the floor of the console near the back, and through the floor of the Bronco. Then over the top left of the Atlas. The t-case is so big that there was no way to get a straight (horizontal) shot to the shifter arm on the side of the transmission, so I had to make a custom shift cable support bracket that bolts to the side of the 4R70W, and a custom shifter arm, so the cable could angle down and forward. It was a PITA to get right but it worked. My DD is a Toyota Tacoma pickup with the usual center console auto shifter. The location I wound up with for the Winters shifter puts it in just about the exact same place relative to my seating position, which turns out to be comfortable for me. YMMV.

The initial design for the extension was done in SolidWorks. SendCutSend made the pieces. Cupholders came from Summit.

 

[lars]

Oh yeah it could be that my Tuffy box is 9" wide- 8" was a guess. I'll measure today.