Center Console Install Help

[Jspafford]

For any of you who've installed a center console I need help.

Right now my 1989 B2 has a 60/40 seat. I have a console out of a 1991 Explorer. I also have the mounting brackets to install it.

Are the bolt holes already in the floorpan under the carpet? If so, how do I know where to cut it out?

Anyone cut the 20 off the 60 seat with any luck?

Any help or photos would be great!!

 

[Charlville]

Try this to start you off

Did this once on a UK version and the holes were already there, not sure if the same on US version?

 

[DannyG]

Check in on the Tech page under interior, if you haven't already.

 

[Jspafford]

BTDT, the walk is for putting in bucket seats not a console..unless I am missing something.

 

[flyingbrick]

This might help.
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2008/explorer_center_console.htm

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

when i did it in my ex cab 86 i just centered it were i wanted it the used self tapping and self drilling screws and it is in nice and tight the whole swap took me 30 mins i got very lucky ahaha

 

[Jspafford]

when i did it in my ex cab 86 i just centered it were i wanted it the used self tapping and self drilling screws and it is in nice and tight the whole swap took me 30 mins i got very lucky ahaha

Did you cut out the carpet? Or did you have rubber floors?

 

[AllanD]

The '89-94 style console doesn't use screw holes in the floor, on vehicles factory equipped there are studs welded to the floor which a non equipped vehicle will lack.

What I did on my truck was to use a nut insert, which is kinda like a HUGE pop rivet
without a mandrel (the mandrel is threaded and part of the insertion tool)

The ones I used are 1/4-20 (US coarse thread).

It takes six of them to install the console.

two for the plastic bracket and four for the metal bracket.

Frankly I'd recommend just drilling some 1/4 holes and using stainless screws, washers and elastic stop nuts and have a
friend help you (by either turning the bolt inside the cab while you hold the nut underneath, or the other way around...

I'd loan you my insert tool but it was almost $300

I have a smaller (cheaper) tool for tight locations but it requires signficant operator familiarity to work it properly.

AD

 

[Jspafford]

The '89-94 style console doesn't use screw holes in the floor, on vehicles factory equipped there are studs welded to the floor which a non equipped vehicle will lack.

What I did on my truck was to use a nut insert, which is kinda like a HUGE pop rivet
without a mandrel (the mandrel is threaded and part of the insertion tool)

The ones I used are 1/4-20 (US coarse thread).

It takes six of them to install the console.

two for the plastic bracket and four for the metal bracket.

Frankly I'd recommend just drilling some 1/4 holes and using stainless screws, washers and elastic stop nuts and have a
friend help you (by either turning the bolt inside the cab while you hold the nut underneath, or the other way around...

I'd loan you my insert tool but it was almost $300

I have a smaller (cheaper) tool for tight locations but it requires signficant operator familiarity to work it properly.

AD

Good info Allan.

Any info on lining up the brackets so I can make sure I drill the holes in the right locations?

I have some self tapping bolts from work I am using. They are about twice as thick as a self tapping screw, so they should work well.

I think I can leave my floor vent in place and the console will fit around it.

I am most worried about hacking up my seat!

 

[dangerranger83]

I have 60/40 seats and I want to put a center console in...i want drink holders and i have to have an arm rest to drive....might pick up a center console in a few weeks if i find one (and mabey the dash). But tranny first.

 

[AllanD]

Good info Allan.

Any info on lining up the brackets so I can make sure I drill the holes in the right locations?

I have some self tapping bolts from work I am using. They are about twice as thick as a self tapping screw, so they should work well.

I think I can leave my floor vent in place and the console will fit around it.

I am most worried about hacking up my seat!

The Console's internal aluminum armrest bracket is designed to mount over that duct you have to feed warm air to the rear seat footwells

So yeah, it goes right in.

There really isn't that much room to get it "wrong".

You aren't mounting a navigational instrument in the space shuttle...

Don't "hack up" the seat, simply replace it.

the passenger side already IS a bucket seat.
the drivers seat is simply a bucket with a "side porch"

AD

 

[Jspafford]

The Console's internal aluminum armrest bracket is designed to mount over that duct you have to feed warm air to the rear seat footwells

So yeah, it goes right in.

There really isn't that much room to get it "wrong".

You aren't mounting a navigational instrument in the space shuttle...

Don't "hack up" the seat, simply replace it.

the passenger side already IS a bucket seat.
the drivers seat is simply a bucket with a "side porch"

AD

I looked ALL OVER for a blue bucket seat to match. Nothing. I even visited the local pick-n-pull. They got rid of the B2's from last year, but had a ton of explorers... One had blue seats, but the driverside was gone.

Oh, and when you have the B2 60-40's you have to cut a section out of the back as well in order for it to allow the armrest to clear.

It's done...

Seat was not too bad, can't tell it used to be a 60-40.

The one thing I ran into was then I removed the perch from the side it also removed the mounting tab for the seatbelt slider. I ended up just drilling a hole into the frame of the seat and bolting the slider onto it. Hope it holds up if I ever need it.