Center armrest console

[Campbell]

How do i remove the center armrest console from a 96 ranger,i tried removing the black coin tray thing in the center and all it would do bend to almost breaking plastic,i saw a post about it and from the pictures i saw it appeared to unbolt from the seat not from the seat to the console.i found a almost perfect one from a ciggarete burns on the cusion ALOT but none on armrest,gotta grab it now before someone else does.

 

[James Morse]

2001 Ford Ranger Center Console Replacement / Disassembly - YouTube
might be the same for yours. Looks like there are 4 screws holding the plastic part in, if yours is like this.

I assume you are not talking about console w/buckets that is different. Pic below is for '97 but '96 should be the same I'd think. But doesn't help for your issue probably.

 

[James Morse]

You have to peel back the carpet lining at the bottom then you can get to the screws to take out the plastic insert then you can get to the (probably) Torx that holds the armrest to the seat.
Even if you wreck the liner you could clean the rest of it off then replace with a little piece of carpet material in your new one.
Edit: or you could replace it with a rubber lining like some cubbies have than you could just lay it in there and remove for cleaning if desired.
In the vid I think he said he just peeled back the corners on the new one to get to the screws so he didn't wreck the lining but you have to get it peeled back one way or the other to get to the screws that hold in the plastic insert, to get that out. You'll never pull it out in one piece otherwise. Assuming yours is same.