K.Blakeley's Explorer Center Console Restoration
 

Went to the junkyard today and found a full length explorer center console out of a 97 explorer. I had to piece one together from 3 vehicles but finally after 2 hours,a cut finger,and a cuss fit I got it out for a grand total of 35 bucks. The lid was the hardest to find but I buying new foam and pad kit off ebay.

Pics when I got home and took it all apart....

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/HPIM0129.jpg

I took all the parts and washed them in soap and water and let them dry..

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/HPIM0132.jpg

Hopefully this is all you need to paint it...

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/HPIM0133.jpg




My plans for the paint it the console will be flat black and the cup holder,cubby bin,and the arm rest will be gloss black. Then a few coats of clear.

Looks good.

cool, im looking forward to how this turns out, i just bought the only one i could find around here and its crappy looking

Don't really need the rust-o-leum primer. All you need is the adhesion promoter it acts like a primer but clear.

The primer was used for the mounting brackets only then a coat of paint.

If you look behind the cans of paint you can see the big bracket after the coat of primer.

I want to do this. Looks fun keep us posted

Looks good, painting the insert sucks, so many nooks and crannies. I've been putting mine off for a while now.

Doh! I see now!

UPDATE...got all the parts painted and Im letting them cure for 24hrs before I start the clearcoat.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/HPIM0134.jpg

All Im waiting for now is my new foam and pad kit off ebay....sucks that I could not find a black vinyl for the armrest,Ill just have to paint it.

sweet! do you have bucket seats, or are you going to chop your bench seat out?

Yea I have been keeping my eye out for one of these. I went today and they want 75 for a decent one. I will just keep looking. Looks good so far.

I got buckets

Just try to piece one together and when you cash out show them the defects that the console has...helps bring the price down.

nice job

UPDATE....Got all the parts clear coated letting them cure till next week. Turned out pretty good for my first time painting interior parts. The arm rest kit should be in by Friday and I can get started painting it. On with the pics...

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/CIMG0506.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/CIMG0507.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/CIMG0508.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/CIMG0509.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/CIMG0510.jpg

Looks nice man! you really dont have to wait until next week, but give it atleast 48 hours before you handle them.

Looks pretty good to me.

Nice man

no reason to rush cause I wont have my arm rest kit until late this week.

where did you get your armrest kit? any links? I need a kit too. Thanks

Any updates?? Trying to install mine but not sure how to?

I know this thread is kinda old...


but..you know that front cubby felt thingy unscrews from the plastic right?? It does it for the manual equipped trucks since they've got a shifter pokin' through it....
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...7/HPIM0134.jpg

Shane...Yes i figured that out after I painted it.

David...what are you having trouble with?

I was having trouble getting everything bolted down. I did figure it out. Took some time but it looks great.
Sorry to bring up such an old thread.

Ya you have to get creative when installing these,glad you got it figured out.