Last week I went to the local junkyard and managed to get myself a grey explorer center console and a lid (from another vehicle) for $35. Everything was in good shape except the covering on the Lid. So since I had some automotive carpeting leftover from covering my sub enclosures I decided to re-cover the lid.
Here is the console

The material was much thicker than the original but it still worked fine.


Here is the old cover and the newly refinished one.


The color matched almost exactly

Here is the lid mounted on the console.


The process is easy, I actually sewed the cut out peice together and then it tightened up nice when I put the black plastic underside back on.

So if anyone is looking for a cheap upgrade I highly reccomend giving this a try.

 

looks awsome..you shoulda flamed it or something..

but looks awsome..near stock

 

all my local JY want like 80 bucks for center consoles, anyone wanna help me out??

 

KARPE,
Is that $80 for them to pull it or for you to pull it? My JY let me go in with my own tools and just start pulling and after having done it I could see why some one would charge you extra to have them pull it because it's a PITA. I also snooped around and found the inserts I wanted and as posted before, a lid from another console. Took me about 2 hours to find one and then get it out, luckily the explorer mine came out of had no drivers side door, or well anything so it was nice and accessible.
I say keep looking they are out there, you might just have to mix and match like I did. Good Luck!

 

Flame It

 

they pull it, I found some for cheaper but its like a 45 min drive, and I have yet to be inspired enough to do that.

 

ok HighRollerII, how would I "flame it"? I'm assuming you are refering to putting flames on it, just not sure how I would be able to do that besides drawing them on. Hmmm, now you got me thinking, I could just cut out a flame pattern in the top and then inlay it with something.....what were you thinking?

 

uncover it and cut out an olschool flame pattern in some foam, then spray some fabric glue on the foam and the old lid then recover it and rub it down. then you will have a subtle flamage for an armrest

 

It looks good Noel! I am courious though, those of you that have put the explorer console in, did you have 2 bucket seats or did you have a 60/40 bench and have to find the drivers bucket seat and if you did have the 60/40 where'd you get the seat and what condition? Thanks ya'll.

 

everyone did the 60/40 to 40/40 mod

 

Where'd ya'll get the drivers seat and how much are they.... I asked Ford but I dont have a firstborn to give them in exchange for the seat...

 

Ahh thanks for the clarification KARPE, since the carpeting I used is thicker and fairly plush I don't think the flames would show as well compared to a leather type covering like the OEM stuff, plus I sewed the stuff on and don't really want to do it again.

Trigger01, I have not instaled it yet but plan to do the 40/40 bench to bucket conversion, which there is a how-to for on this site. Others who have switched out the OEM seats for buckets use Explorer seats. Really I think you could use just about any seat as long as it fit and of course as long as the holes/tracks line up.

 

I went to my local JY and got mine for $25, it took me almost 2 hours to get it out in 35 degree temp. Had to take almost every screw out to finally get it to come out, but I think it worth it.

 

Looks very cool! Nice work!

 

Looks great, i so need to get a center console.

 

i need to go shoppin..i got the 04 ones that come stock but i want somethin that runs the whole way

 

Does anybody have any details with regards to flaming the top? Thanks