Sent my truck to the upholster, but didn't think I needed to bring the explorer shorty console so he could test fit it after converting my seats from 60/40 to 40/40. However I am extremely happy with the work he did.

Thus I need to know some options on how to make the console fit. My first idea is to remove the seats and ream out the holes on the seat tracks where they attach to the floor. My second idea is to modify the seat tracks some way to spread the gap between the seats. I only lack like 1/2 to 3/4 of inch for the console to fit fine lol.

Anybody got any other ideas?

Ontop of that problem, my armrest is broken, but not in the place that most people's are. The bottom long plastic piece is fine with only one crack. The upper portion that meets the foam and vinyl is shattered. I attached some pics to better explain what it is broken. I know rockauto sells the bottom piece that is full metal; is there a metal piece or plastic piece to replace the broken one that is shattered?

See the foam coming through the bottom? Not good!


The piece that's usually broken, is fine.


Here's the new bucket seats though!

 

I believe below the carpet on the floor there are spots that are raised to show the mounting points for the console, let me search around for the pic. But like you said most people remove the seats to install the console.

 

his problem is the upholsterer didn't trim the seat enough to fit his new console so the gap between the two seats isn't wide enough.




For the arm rest, thats actually been common from what i've seen. I just picked up another black fx4 console about an hour ago and I'm going to try to fix the same issue with the foam insulation stuff. itll be stiff but should work when its dry

 

Yes that is correct on the seats. I was able to ream out the seat track holes, and now the console fits good!

Foam insulation stuff? Like that foam in a can? What year did the armrest you got come out of? I am looking all of the place for a armrest that is in better shape than mine lol.

 

yeah the foam in a can stuff. I've pulled one from a 2003 fx4 that had that same problem during the winter and now i pulled this one from an 02 edge and it was the same. i also took the vinyl floor while i was at it but idk if ill use it yet lol. Oddly, the bracket wasnt broken on the 2002 arm rest i just pulled but the part thats messed up on yours was broken

 

So both the one you pulled in the winter and the edge one are both broken like mine? Jeez lol. If I could just find a black armrest, I would seriously consider the foam in a can stuff.

I am going to the junkyard today and looking for the older explorer armrest (the one that doesn't have the cup holder in the back). I may even get lucky and find one like I got now that's in good condition and have it re-wrapped black. Update will come later!

 

lol yes. both of the ones i've found were black

 

Haha that's straight luck, or a better junkyard than the one located in my area.

I did find an armrest off of a 1994 explorer. I can have this one upholstered and be good to go. The old style armrest like I found, does not have a cupholder deal in the back of it. It's a solid piece of plastic (3/4 deep) and then wrapped in foam and vinyl. This seems to be a lot better design than the one I had that came with the console. Soon as I get the finished product, pics will come. This ordeal has been painstaking!

 

Does the 94 explorer armrest fit our shorty console? They are allot cheaper than the ranger replacements and I can find a gray explorer one pretty easy.

 

The problem from the pictures is the seat were recovered to wide, I believe the seat belts are not in the seat as the new ones are!
Why did he do that ?

I would not more the seats outward by reaming the seat mounting holes, the /34” will require a new hole completely.
What console are you using ?
Have you tried to fit the console and how does it look without moving the seats ?