I've had my center console installed for a while now, and I like it. But, I've got one question. Is it just mine or all of these consoles more creaky than a 100 year old house?

 

Mine was super creaky. So glad I have a 3rd Gen console now.

 

Yea, the 2nd gen consoles are terrible about it. The way they're held together just makes them really noisy. It's exactly why I ditched mine for one from a 3rd gen.

 

I figured so. I'm considering tossing my 2nd gen in the attic and grabbing a 3rd gen from my wreckers yard. not happy with how it's turned out.

 

Just do it. You won't regret it. Just make sure you grab the floor bracket from the 3rd Gen expo. Don't worry about grabbing the front mount from the Explorer.

 

I'll pack some basic hand tools and head out there tomorrow for a look. Fairly sure they have a few new ones out there.

 

The third gen consoles are pretty easy to get out.

How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Center Console | Ford Explorer and Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

Just be glad you don't have a manual trans. The manual trans consoles were only made for one year and in very limited numbers.

 

Sweet, thanks for the how-to. That'll come in handy. If I find one in good shape I may just pull it.

 

In my experience most of them are generally in great shape. Especially the armrests. Just watch out for faded sections of the consoles, especially if the Explorer has been sitting in the junkyard for awhile. Try to grab one from an Explorer with all four doors and windows closed.

 

Will do. Although worst case scenario is I use some krylon black fusion like on my bumpers. That's some incredible stuff.

 

Yeah, I had a hell of a time finding one for mine. Ended up getting mine from some junk yard in South Carolina shipped to me for $65
Yeah, until it sits in the sun for a year, then it turns gray.

 

Well, so far my bumpers are still black, thankfully. I'll get one eventually.

 

Just going to leave this here...




Mine was only $20........

 

my yard only wants 15 for a console.

 

It's a darn shame. Shaun gives me the console and I have to pay $65 for the darn top piece

 

Right? And I didn't even know mine was from a manual trans Explorer until I got it home. It just fell into my lap.

 

@FordZilla: So, what exactly did you do for the filler panel between the dash and the top front of the console? Hmmmm? Pictures please!

 

That's the funny thing, he hasn't done anything, just has a gaping hole.

 

Seriously? I know my eyes are bad, but in the picture it looks like there is a darker colored filler panel. Yeah, gonna get that eye surgery in December for sure! LOL

 

Hey now, it fooled me too! I'm thinking some diamond metal or stainless steel will be filler in my application.

 

Wrong. I have the stock little tray with the airbag switch. It fills most of the gap. It's black so it doesn't show up in the pictures.

At the end of the day, the third gen console wasn't made to fit the contours of the Ranger dash, so it will never be 100% flush without some serious work. Jacob made a filler panel with switches, but you can obviously tell that it was roughly molded in and isn't original. If you're looking for a 100% fit, the third gen console isn't for you.

 

Ah, that explains it. I didn't think you'd leave a giant hole in your dash.

I personally like fab work, and that big space is just what I need for a proper switch panel. The one I have right now sucks.

Some room to work with and some real-estate to put something in there that I can say "Hey, I made that". Then again I'm a glutton for punishment

 

@ArcticWolf1911: Yeah, how many stabs have you made at that switch panel and you are STILL not happy with it! LOL Yep, glutton for punishment is an understatement! LMAO

 

Yeah, lol. Well, it's not helping that I'm using very flexible sheet aluminum. If I was using a stiffer metal like steel or at least thicker aluminum I'd be better off. Oh well, it's a learning process.

 

Finally got one today!

It's not perfect but it's all intact, and it's all there, save for a rubber mat in the cup holder. It's not completely put together in these photos, as I'm in the process of installing parts into it before I tear into my truck. The lid has not been cleaned yet. It needs to be repaired slightly. Complete with the possum seal of approval!