home made wooden center consoles

[ProStreet83C10]

hey guys, im debating on trying my hand at drawing out and making my own center console for my pickup to incorporate possibly a few gauges, a ratchet shifter and a couple cup holders. May add 6x9 speakers into the side of the console as well if i have room to do so. My questions are as follows.....

• Whats the best type of wood to use for this, since it WILL be getting upholstered
• Is there any certain type of wood to use if id like to try and incorporate some bends into the piece versus straight lines and angles
• Does anyone have any tips on making a wooden center console so it looks like a professionally built or bought piece
• Whats the best way to go about making cup holders, is there any type of a "liner" i can buy/make so their a fully enclosed piece or will it come down to just screwing say a 1x4 about 3" down from the hole for the bottom part of the cup holder
• Whats anything think about possibly adding some LED lights inside the console so it glows from the inside out at night.

Like i said thats only a few questions to get me started, im not the best carpenter/wood worker but in my head im not thinking this will be too bad of a thing to create. All i need is 2 sides and a top, possibly some way of mounting to the floor (hate to screw it into the floor though) but im thinking itll take up the entire center trans hump of the truck so movement SHOULDNT be a prob. Depending on how wide its make or how many areas i can get away with correct looking flat spots i may add up to about 5 gauges in it. Im going to try and incorporate a B&M Pro Ratchet shifter INTO the top of the unit, rather than using the aluminum case that it comes with. Again, no idea how that shifter mounts to begin with, but id almost assume its a flat piece at the bottom and just a metal frame with linkage etc. Lots to try and figure out here



Also, if anyone has made their own wooden center console please post up pics so i have an idea what i can build and how itll look in the end.

Thanks Guys!

[RandyP]

I can at least toss up a picture of what the last 91 burb I stripped down had in it. No idea of the type of wood, I'm more of a metal man. I still have it here someplace if you want more photos of it.

[ProStreet83C10]

wow...i woulda figured id have more than one reply by now, i figured there'd be a lot of these made for trucks here etc.

Anyway, i got some measurements yesterday, got out some paper a pencil and a ruler drew out some designs id like to incorporate into the console and went shopping for a list of products needed. Now, console drawings do not have any measurements on them as i just wanted to get a design layed out on paper to see how itd all come together. Heres what i got so far.

Im no artist mby any means, so bear with the shotty drawings etc

Dimensions measured in truck


Initial drawings of floor itself with dimensions


Idea of wood dimensions needed for console


Drawn up idea of console id like to build - or something similar


Top view


Idea of shopping list with pricing of what i dlike to use

[C-10 simplex]

Well since it's been a day with not to much activity on this thread, i suppose i can jump in.

i tried making my own console a few weeks ago, but decided since it was only 2 gauges for right now, it would be more economical to just leave the gauges where there are for now----clamped to the ash tray door and glove box door. But i am definitely interested in re-visiting the idea.

i can't help with questions 1-4, except to say that i was using 1/2" plywood because it was what i had available in the garage---didn't want to spend any $$$.

As far as adding the led lights, yes! i intended to do that AND use them behind special labeling for each gauge which i'll get into more detail if the project ever moves foward again.

As far as securing it what i was planning on doing and maybe suggesting in general was to clamp it to the bottom of the dash. This way you don't have to drill into the floor.

But my question in general and to everyone is how to you get the contour of the console to match the contour of the floor and dash? i tried using poster board/cardboard as a mock-up first. Is this what you have to do?

[ProStreet83C10]

i havent done anything as far as floor mock up yet, i actually dont intent to box the console in on the front or rear, as i plan to run it all the way back to the front edge of the seat and run it up under the dash to the heater control box. I guess building and fitting will decide that aspect of it, however, if i DO decide to fully box it (which may happen just for strength purposes) i will likely use cardboard or posterboard and transfer to wood.

Im still not 100% sure on the design as a lot could change but id like to be able to almost fully hide the shifter cover, or somehow make the shifter work without using the cover, however the design of the shifter appears that it needs the curve in the top to indicate the gears correctly. Now, that doesnt mean i cant take that top curve of the shifter box and transfer it to a piece of stainless steel or polished alum and match the curve and place into console, but then im pretty much doing same thing as if i were to just keep original cover on shifter, which is what will probably happen.

As far as LED lighting, im still kind of wanting to use it, but im not sure how exactly itll light anything up if i fully box in the console, the only thing i could do is maybe around the 6x9 speaker openings, drill a bunch of holes that resemble the chevy bowtie logo and have that glow through the box. what i DONT want to happen though, is to over do it and make things look tacky. im sure id get some glow around the shifter case where the hole would be cut and id also like to somehow get some glow around the cup holders, but again, being their a solid piece minus a drain hole in the bottom, im not sure how they would create any type of a glow.

I guess a lot of this will just have to come along as i build and see where things go. Again, if ANYONE has ideas for me or suggestions PLEASE fill me in with them, as im going off a VERY basic design right now and anything that would customize it more or make it more eye appealing would be GREATLY appreciated

[ProStreet83C10]

oh and for reference, heres some pics of the cup holders im looking at as well as the shifter im planning to use

Shifter


Cup Holders
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STANDARD-STA...item5d33d8ed8e

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Cup...82dca0&vxp=mtr

[primrrd]

Looks like a good plan, so far.
If you plan to cover it with vinyl- mdf is low cost and very easy to shape (ie round corners, or smooth curves on several layers) and work with.
you could accent it with brushed aluminum panels, thin harwood plywood panels, etc. coating it with a layer of f/g resin and matt (like a lot of guys do with speaker boxes) will waterproof it and lend strength.

keep us posted!

[ProStreet83C10]

well i actually JUST bought (2) 2x4' pieces of 1/2" Oak plywood, which i picked out VERY nice grain patterns, what i may do before upholstering it is try staining it and just see how it comes out with a real nice oak stain.

Piece 1 - Front


Piece 1 - Back


Piece 2 - Front


Piece 2 - Back




Piece 2 is a lot harder piece to choose front from back as BOTH sides of piece 2 have a really nice grain pattern



Anyway, im going to try this glue as well, may also staple the piece together just for extra strength



I also walked around a bit and was looking at possible trim pieces to finish the edges with rather than just have a plain butted piece of wood. Heres a couple i found to look in to, their plain and simple yet might make a really nice accent esp. if i maybe try a 2 tone colored console

Unfinished Oak outside corner trim 3/4" x 3/4" x 8'
http://www.menards.com/main/home-dec...050-c-7621.htm

Unfinished Oak outside fluted corner 3/4" x 3/4" x 8'
http://www.menards.com/main/home-dec...052-c-7621.htm

with the fluted corner, id probably finely sand it to round, as the fluting is so minimal its not noticeable anyway, you can really only feel it with your fingers.

[C-10 simplex]

Oh wow---i hope you're using 1/2" ply because you wanted to; i didn't say you HAD to---i only used it because i had it laying around.

On the other hand maybe 1/2" ply IS good to use?


P.S. i used a router and sabre saw to cut the pieces out. i recommend using a router---they are amazing.

[ProStreet83C10]

i intended to use 1/2" the entire time, 1/4" is too thin to safely nail or staple together without possibly splitting the wood and 3/4" is FAR to thick and heavy for a simple console in a vehicle. So realistically, about the only good thickness ply wood to use is 1/2 if you want strength and durability without a whole lot of weight.

[crazeetxn]

Originally Posted by ProStreet83C10

hey guys, im debating on trying my hand at drawing out and making my own center console for my pickup to incorporate possibly a few gauges, a ratchet shifter and a couple cup holders. May add 6x9 speakers into the side of the console as well if i have room to do so. My questions are as follows.....

• Whats the best type of wood to use for this, since it WILL be getting upholstered
  
  Looks like you already bought some so that's answered. Your 1/2" should work fine. You were right as 3/4 would be heavy and 1/4 wouldn't give you holding strength
• Is there any certain type of wood to use if id like to try and incorporate some bends into the piece versus straight lines and angles
  
  They make a bendable plywood, but if you want, just cut some kerfs in the back (almost all the way through). Space them out about 1/2" from each other. Whether it's a table saw or cicular saw, be careful. The cuts go across the sides and not the length. This will help bend it around corners and such. But you'll have to figure out someway to cover the cuts up as they'll be exposed on the finished piece.
• Does anyone have any tips on making a wooden center console so it looks like a professionally built or bought piece
  
  Google some pics and see what you can find.
• Whats the best way to go about making cup holders, is there any type of a "liner" i can buy/make so their a fully enclosed piece or will it come down to just screwing say a 1x4 about 3" down from the hole for the bottom part of the cup holder
  
  Look around the internet. There has to be something out there.
• Whats anything think about possibly adding some LED lights inside the console so it glows from the inside out at night.
  
  I think it would look cool. Just wire it into your light switch so it comes on when you turn your lights on.

Like i said thats only a few questions to get me started, im not the best carpenter/wood worker but in my head im not thinking this will be too bad of a thing to create. All i need is 2 sides and a top, possibly some way of mounting to the floor (hate to screw it into the floor though) but im thinking itll take up the entire center trans hump of the truck so movement SHOULDNT be a prob. Depending on how wide its make or how many areas i can get away with correct looking flat spots i may add up to about 5 gauges in it. Im going to try and incorporate a B&M Pro Ratchet shifter INTO the top of the unit, rather than using the aluminum case that it comes with. Again, no idea how that shifter mounts to begin with, but id almost assume its a flat piece at the bottom and just a metal frame with linkage etc. Lots to try and figure out here



Also, if anyone has made their own wooden center console please post up pics so i have an idea what i can build and how itll look in the end.

Thanks Guys!

See above!

[ProStreet83C10]

What???
Posted via Mobile Device

[crazeetxn]

I tried to answer your questions by italics in your post

[jitteryguy]

heres what I did for mine, there front and rear console.
this is the rear.

[jitteryguy]

the front , I will upholster it tomarrow.

[ProStreet83C10]

looks awsome, def more skills than i have in making that.

[ProStreet83C10]

im hoping this weekend to possibly start cutting into this and see what happens

[kikkegek]

nice thread, any progress? I want to build a custom one for my K20 Suburban and stiull have access to the 4WD stick

[motornut]

my 88 has two "jump" seats
it dosn't go up too far to the dash
turns into a seat when you flip up the cupholder
padded back and seat,flip the seat fwd and got storage
It's a bolted to the floor steel frame(bolt holes behind shifter)
gona reuse the frame enlarge the box (hummer stlye) mount to the 78 Jimmy

[kikkegek]

thanks john. nice dog.

[redrat]

What is in that green bag behind the dog?? Looks kinda like a body!
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

Originally Posted by redrat

What is in that green bag behind the dog?? Looks kinda like a body!
Posted via Mobile Device

oh right!,I forgot sorry next time i'll crop that arm out
acually was to show the little matching cupholders over the wheels lol

i'll grab a shot of the seat in the AM it's out now

[oldmann1967]

When you use the monkey glue, wet both sides of the joint with water first. You will get better penetration and get the curing process started. Polyurethane glue uses moisture to cure.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Malo83]

This is Swervin Ervins console, Hey Swerve you still out there
http://73-87.com/7387garage/interior/console.htm

[motornut]

won't fit right now
and it's missing the seat pad