Center Console Build

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 2, 2008

I am redoing my center console for my Ranger

So today I went to Home Depot and got some sheets of the pink foam. When I got it home I began cutting strips to build up my base. I also fabbed a circle jig and cut a ring for my speaker with the router.

So here are a few pics - this is my first from scratch project to it looks rough now, but I will work out the kinks and make it nice.

Old Console - MDF and Walmart fabric . . .

Base built up and ready for trimming

Circle Jig

Rough Shape

Debris - Hahahaha

My first ever router cut ring - woot woot

My shapely cup holders - I like how they look

Applied a coat of sheet rock mud - cheap and easy to sand/shape

The angled cut out on the drivers side is for 3 switches. The speaker ring will be temp fixed in place, fleeced to the main section and glassed into the console. I don't have enough room for a trim ring, so the speaker will sit on-top of the enclosure.
Components are BASIC and CHEAP - so please no flaming - I cannot afford something top end, besides I had a competition system before and just don't feel the need for a system at that level. I am using a Pioneer 10" sub and a walmart amp that is see through - looks cool but is probably a POS.

RobbieD · Nov 2, 2008

Interesting approach . . . go for it! Post your progress, but take your time, and give it your best shot. Good luck!

spdcrazy · Nov 2, 2008

dude! i like it! i made a cheapo center console too, but your's is far better. mine was just mdf. with a 6.5 speaker in the back. and a CD player in the top to play my SD chip

PROPS

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 2, 2008

Thanks guys, I plan to fiberglass over the final part and that will be my console. The foam is only a "plug" so to speak. After I lay on the glass and it cures the foam part will get destroyed. Baffles will be added to enclose the speaker end.

phatcap · Nov 2, 2008

hell yeah man. that's awesome. pimp shit on a budget is what i'm all about, too. there's a lot of stuff you can't skimp on but i say if you can do it yourself and make it look just as good or better than something the next guy bought for 3 or 4 times the amount of $$$, its more satisfying to have ya know.

gatlin04 · Nov 10, 2008

anymore pics? Im really interested to see it!

Why did you go that route (the pink board)? how much material did you use? how much was the pink board?

THanks

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 10, 2008

gatlin04 said:
anymore pics? Im really interested to see it!

Why did you go that route (the pink board)? how much material did you use? how much was the pink board?

THanks

Thanks man. No more updates right now - I am on the road teaching students about Hazardous Materials.

I am using the pink foam because it is light, easy to handle, easy to shape and will make a perfect base for me to fiberglass over. I am laying down drywall mud as a base layer on the foam and then body filler over that to shape and smooth. I will then fiberglass over the filler to make the final shape. The foam, mud and body filler will be pulled out and discarded when done. Then I will have to build up the bottom and enclose the speaker section. Stay tuned, I will post more when I make some progress.
I used almost one sheet of the foam to build up the base, I just cut it into strips and used spray glue to glue them together. The foam and a 2X4 section of 3/4 MDF cost me $44 at HD.

Also this project is taking place at the same time as my resurrection of a 92 Nissan 240SX - I made a custom FG dash for it with inset gauges. Here is a pic of that -

Close up of the gauges

More soon . . . . . :icon_bounceblue:

gatlin04 · Nov 10, 2008

That is awesome man! Props to ya! Keep us posted because I am really thinking about doing one myself!

Do you think there is a way to put 2 12" subs in there? I ask because i have 2 12" memphis, and i would hate to have the other sit and do nothing....lol...

Maybe i could do what you are doing, but make it wrap behind the seat and then have the other sub up high and point towards the front.... does that sound possible?

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 11, 2008

Almost anything is possible, but I think that may interfere with you ability to sit in the driver seat and operate the vehicle. The best recommendation I can give, I am not an audio installer, is to mock up the set-up in your truck and see how you like it. Use cardboard, foam, dowels or whatever you have to try the placement of the different components in the truck.
You may think about one facing the rear of the truck, so the widest part is behind the seats and the magnet is forward. Just some thoughts - do what is best for you man. You may also consider sliding that passenger seat all the way forward and making part of the enclosure wrap behind it.

Good Luck . . .

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 17, 2008

Quick update: Added some more filler yesterday (Sunday), I will try to get it smoothed out and some more filler today . . .

Hopefully my resin will come in this week, then I can begin the glassing . . .

gatlin04 · Nov 17, 2008

Have you thought of just wrapping it in flece and then doing the fiber instead of having to do the filler?

How did you make the ring for the subwoofer? Do you have pics of it?

Where are you going to put the amp?

I have a 60/40 seat right now, so i may pick up some newer bucket seats .... but after that i am going to do what you are doing!

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 17, 2008

gatlin04 said:
Have you thought of just wrapping it in fleece and then doing the fiber instead of having to do the filler?

Yes but I did not want to have to build the mdf subframe to attach the fleece to. The foam is very sensitive to the resin and filler, so I used the drywall mud, then filler to help me shape the basic lines. As soon as my resin comes in I will be glassing . . .

How did you make the ring for the subwoofer? Do you have pics of it?

The ring was made with my router, I used a circle jig and cut the outside of the ring then the inside circle and the ring fell off. There is a pic earlier in this thread. The circle jig also.

Where are you going to put the amp?

I am planning to make an MDF mount for the back cab wall to mount the AMP to.[/QUOTE]

I have a 60/40 seat right now, so i may pick up some newer bucket seats .... but after that i am going to do what you are doing!

Convert them bitches to buckets - an easy fix.

Hazmat Ranger · Nov 18, 2008

Ok - finally back home and I started back on the console. I put some more filler on and knocked down the rough edges. While it cured I made a jig for my router and cut out a trim ring for the shifter from MDF. I placed the trim ring and sub ring in place and I taped the entire plug making sure the shifter hole and cup holders were left open. I decided to use the tape to get my final shape to the sub ring instead of fleece. Yes I know this means more work for me later, but I can accept that. I then started laying a layer of glass onto the tape with some chop mat. Yes I was trying to use the last of my B***o resin. Well, I set her aside to cure, walked around to the front door and DAMN IT -there was my box from US Composites with a gallon of B-440 - oh well.

Pics:

Shifter Trim Glassed In - needs some refinement.

Overall shape

Sub end

My plan is to do a single layer over the tape, pull the plug and build it up on the inside adding the cup holders and trim for the shifter and sub. The outer surface will be smoothed and filled as any other project, but I do not want it to get bigger on the outside.
I am going to build a baffle to enclose the sub area separating it from the front portion.
The angled part on the Driver Side will hold 3 switches, I have a metal plate pre-drilled that will be glassed into the console giving the switches a mounting point.

More to come soon . . .

gatlin04 · Nov 18, 2008

looking good!

gatlin04 · Nov 24, 2008

more updates! more updates! How is the console coming?

Center Console Build

May 2009 STOTM

2.9l Mafia

Well-Known Member

May 2009 STOTM

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

May 2009 STOTM

Well-Known Member

May 2009 STOTM

May 2009 STOTM

Well-Known Member

May 2009 STOTM

May 2009 STOTM

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Recently Featured

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad