2004 Ford Explorer SportTrac Custom Console

smqkeman · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 12:26 PM

i decided to go ahead and make my own center console.. here are a few pictures to get it started.. ill post more as the progress continues.....

dsmiley · #2 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 12:38 PM

Not sure how well the material will hold up??

Sorry...couldn't resist....

That's a good idea to make a template first...what's the final material??

gewecke · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 01:27 PM

Paint it black and you're on your way,lol!
Sorry,I had to.
N9ZAS

smqkeman · #4 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 01:31 PM

LOL !!

I picked up 3/4" MDF yesterday and cut it all up ! my eyes still hurt from all the dust !

i have LP'ed them and brad nailed it all together and is just curing ..

when its dry ill bring it outside when it stops raining and shot a few pics...

from here im going to cut a few things out, then when its all ready im going to Line-X it.. and then install...

w2smw · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 07:53 PM

I think your idea is great, I may have done the same thing if I had the time and resources to do it. I picked up a used Jotto desk console and took the easy way out. Good luck with your instal as I am partial to the 04 explorer as that is what I am driving as my pov.

b7spectra · #6 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 10:16 PM

Go to a junk yard and buy one out of a wrecked ST and then you can do like I did - 02 Sport Trac.

smqkeman · #7 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 03:55 PM

more pictures on the way.... got everything sanded, and fitted.. just have to make the cup holders as i left this till last to make sure i have room.. lol gotta have the Star Bucks !

now looking for sizes on the Pro-197 as i know that it will be the largest of the 3 radios..

posting pictures in 2 hrs... or so

smqkeman · #8 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 09:02 PM

this is a test fit shot.. before i start to cut holes

back tailgate workshop
the big hole is going to be covered by a plate system that i have to make next

the lower cutout is for the fan controller

this is the fan controller, it displays 2 temps from a sensor.. hummmm now you guys are thinking

yes im going to stick it on the back of each radio and monitor the temp.. while the 2 dials are for the fan RPM control.. the unit displays temp x2 and rmp x2 all for $12.00

picture of one off the 2 fans

back tailgate workshop again ! lol you can see the front console that has the 2 vutouts, and the 2 fans.. i think its looking good.. all thats left is to drill a few holes for a few wires and were off to paint..

the back console, the lower layout is for another plate system for 10 switches... the 2 upper layouts are for our 2 iphones. this way you can slide them into the holder and charge them while keeping them out of the way !!!

smqkeman · #9 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 10:46 PM

huh, no reply posts.... is it worth my time to photo bucket all the picture and post them and get no reply's

ill post a final picture when its done and discontinue the pictures of the steps i take. but im sure that at the end ill get " cool how did you do that !?! "

LOL

KJ6CFU · #10 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 11:21 PM

Nice work! You mentioned painting it, but do you think it might be more durable to carpet the outside? At least it won't scratch like paint. Either way, nice work! can't wait to see the final product!

Forts · #11 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 11:40 PM

Looking very good... I know I enjoy seeing the 'in progress' pictures.

firetaz834 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 07:54 AM

Question for you, it looks great so far and I enjoy seeing the in-progress photos. But, why did you decide on doing this in wood instead of going out and getting a standard jotto-desk or some other company metal console? The reason for the question is I'm curous on how do you plan on upgrading if things change. I know with metal you can jut purchase a new bracket for a metal console, but with wood once you cut the hold (then your kind of stuck if the next item is smaller in size)

rcvmo · #13 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 08:33 AM

my eyes still hurt from all the dust !

No eye protection?
You could've very well ended up like me this weekend with a nice eye patch after running antenna cable in a dusty environment. Luckily only minor scratches on the cornea, but enough to make me want to wear eye protection after this close call. A little early in the season to play pirate.

Otherwise, looks like a really nice console.
stay safe.
rcvmo

smqkeman · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 01:15 PM

Hey all, sorry for the delay, Police College is killing me ! LOL im going to post a few pictures up tongiht when i get back... i Line-x 'ed the console to give it a better look and withstand anything i put to it...

its looking great if i pat my own back ! the reason that i did this to to save me cash from getting a jotto desk at a whopping price that they sell it for.... and this way with me desiging it and making it myself that i get what i want in the console... as everyone has different needs.

i just installed the fan controllers today

and a temp cafe cup holder lol

the way i have designed it i am using steel plates to mount my radios when i get them... LOL and ill be painting them to match the rest of the stuff i painted silver in the truck. this way it all flows....

as the carpet is rubber in the sporttrac so thats the reason the center console is Line-x 'ed the plates will be silver to match the int colour and the dash components that i have....

other than that i have not run into any problems as of yet but it just taking a little longer for me to get it to where i want today... due to not havign a garage and dealing with the rain and the cole weather waiting for the glue to dry has been the biggest waste of time... and due to the dust inthe eyes.. well cutting MDF outside in the wind regardless of having glasses on the wind will take that mdf and blow it 3 blocks down and get into their eyes also LOL

one note to make as per the Line-X..... if you have a slot or hole thats to size and the line-x gets into it.. which it will well then you are going to have a problem fitting the unit or what ever your putting in it will now not fit... regardless how much you tape off the area or pre-prep the area not to get sprayed well im going to tell you that on a small pcs like this the line-x is going to get into it.. now today i tried to put the fan controller in it and it was a no go.. i tried a knife, a chain saw LOL everthing and would not get the line-x out of the area.. i ended up pulling the gig-sa back out with a wood corse blade on it and this was the only way to get it cleaned back up .... nedless to say i got it cleaned up and now the parts fit !

ill post pictures up of the current step that im at ! hope you all enjoy the pictuers

izzyj4 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Great job so far!! Great idea with the computer temp controller to monitor the heat where you are mounting your radios, I wuold never had though of doing that.

smqkeman · #16 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 11:12 AM

ok sorry for delay

this is the console getting Line-X 'ed

This is a test fit for the console

the Fan Grills are installed along with extra Light that will have a Red Bulb for night time operation

and a close up of the Fan controller installed

izzyj4 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Nice so far. I appreciate the fact you took out the front seat so you could show us an unobstructed view of the install!! LOL Just joking, good luck with the mounting!

abross · #18 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 07:29 PM

Wow. That is awesome. Looks so professional. Nice work!!

PoliceChaser · #19 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 08:38 PM

now all we need to see is the radios installed

KJ6CFU · #20 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 11:14 PM

That looks incredible. Makes me wish I still had my truck. LOL.