- Joined
- Jun 7, 2008
- Messages
- 2,070
- Points
- 3,101
- Age
- 58
- City
- North Texas
- Vehicle Year
- 1995
- Transmission
- Manual
Ok another interior project - this time I decided to modify my Explorer Overhead Console. Now why in the world would I modify it? Well I wanted a place to put my radar detector and not use the suction cups or a visor clip, and get rid of that damn cord hanging down to the power outlet.
So I decided to remove the display since mine was not hooked up anyway. SORRY but I did not take build pics as I was not sure what I was going to do until I actually had done it. So a diary so to speak . . .
I started by taking the console apart - completely. I broke out the trusty ole Dremel and began cutting the opening where the green plastic was to make it larger. I kept the detector handy so I could determine the proper size.
Once I was happy with the front I turned to the back (closest to windshield) and began cutting it out so the detector could slide through the console and have unimpeded vision of the road ahead.
Alright - all openings cut, not time for the fiberglass . . . I wrapped my detector in aluminum foil to protect it and began laying a few layers of chop mat onto the bottom and sides of the protected detector. I also added a strip of cloth around the sides to add strength.
After is cured I pulled the FG off and unwrapped the detector - perfect fit. I trimmed up the detector sleeve and began to fit it into the console. I determined how much of the sleeve would be needed and trimmed off the rest. The remaining section was epoxied into the console and backfilled with Great Stuff Expanding foam. I trimmed up the foam, added some more and began to determine where to add body filler. After the foam was trimmed and sanded I added some filler around the opening and to the seams between the black and gray sections of the console, effectively making them one.
The remote pocket was also modified, I removed the remote actuator button and FG'd it smooth. Here are the final pics after I sanded, primed and painted with VHT Wrinkle Finish paint.
First coats are still glossy - not wrinkled yet.
Inside the Remote Pocket
Dried and Wrinkled
The detector pocket and the remote pocket will both get lined with a soft material like felt to protect their contents. The detector will just slide in with a little push (sleeve holds it snug) and the power cord will be run directly to the fuse box, I ordered a special straight cord from the mfr.
Now no one can see my detector when it is on tempting them to follow me on the highway instead of buying their own damn detector - LOL.
So I decided to remove the display since mine was not hooked up anyway. SORRY but I did not take build pics as I was not sure what I was going to do until I actually had done it. So a diary so to speak . . .
I started by taking the console apart - completely. I broke out the trusty ole Dremel and began cutting the opening where the green plastic was to make it larger. I kept the detector handy so I could determine the proper size.
Once I was happy with the front I turned to the back (closest to windshield) and began cutting it out so the detector could slide through the console and have unimpeded vision of the road ahead.
Alright - all openings cut, not time for the fiberglass . . . I wrapped my detector in aluminum foil to protect it and began laying a few layers of chop mat onto the bottom and sides of the protected detector. I also added a strip of cloth around the sides to add strength.
After is cured I pulled the FG off and unwrapped the detector - perfect fit. I trimmed up the detector sleeve and began to fit it into the console. I determined how much of the sleeve would be needed and trimmed off the rest. The remaining section was epoxied into the console and backfilled with Great Stuff Expanding foam. I trimmed up the foam, added some more and began to determine where to add body filler. After the foam was trimmed and sanded I added some filler around the opening and to the seams between the black and gray sections of the console, effectively making them one.
The remote pocket was also modified, I removed the remote actuator button and FG'd it smooth. Here are the final pics after I sanded, primed and painted with VHT Wrinkle Finish paint.
First coats are still glossy - not wrinkled yet.
Inside the Remote Pocket
Dried and Wrinkled
The detector pocket and the remote pocket will both get lined with a soft material like felt to protect their contents. The detector will just slide in with a little push (sleeve holds it snug) and the power cord will be run directly to the fuse box, I ordered a special straight cord from the mfr.
Now no one can see my detector when it is on tempting them to follow me on the highway instead of buying their own damn detector - LOL.
