Purists, hide your eyes! ... I could not bring myself to spring for a new center console or cover, but the top of my console behind the e-brake lever was terribly cracked and split, as is often the case: just foam and thin vinyl with no support.

So this is what I made with stained 1/8" birch furniture plywood. I cut away some of the old vinyl and foam. Tried to fasten it with Velcro first, but a small bead of clear silicone sealant worked much better. (You could maybe also cut this piece from an old matching wood grain glove box door.) Make sure to leave enough room for coin tray removal at the back, to get to the rear console mounting screw.



BEFORE:

Just an idea for any other cheapo "just a driver" non-purists out there.

All great ideas come out at the same time. I did precisely the same thing a couple of weeks ago! Except I used a solid rosewood veneer that I happened to have.

launieg wrote:All great ideas come out at the same time. I did precisely the same thing a couple of weeks ago! Except I used a solid rosewood veneer that I happened to have. Will post a photo later today.

Sounds great - can't wait to see it.

looks great

Now that's a good idea! Looks good too. I've been trying to figure out how to connect an arm rest there. Maybe I should use that area. Cut out the top and fasten it in there. I was thinking of making it slide rearward a little when the brake is applied. A lot of new cars are doing it now days. Thanks for sharing.

brady,

the chevy vans have a smaller arm rest.and they flip up. I was thinking of mounting them on the side plate of the seat. Havent made it to the junk yard to look for a set yet to start putting everything in to motion. I also was think of try to mount both arm rest close enough to each other that i could cut out half moon shapes facing each other for a drink holder.

I installed the arm rest from a Volkswagen to the floor hump behind the coin tray. I would like it to come forward more so I am in the process of shortening the center console by removing the coin cup and reattaching the back where the coin cup began, I really like having the arm rest. I would be done but I also decided to remove the ash tray and make the front piece of wood cover where the ash tray was. Will supply photos when finished.