Advice Before Removing the Center Console?

In a couple weeks I'm going to install my sub and amp and will need to remove the center console and the plastic stuff around the automatic gear shifter to run RCAs and a remote lead. I assume several of you have done this for various other things. Any advice, warnings, tips or tricks I should hear? Also, will I need to remove the seats? I looked it over and I don't think I do but would like to know before I start.

Thanks,
Joe

 

hey joe, whats up man. i was gonna ask if u got the access or the double cab. but it really dont mattr. i put 2 10's and an amp behind the seats of my DC and personally i found a REAL easy way to do it. i ran my RCA's and remote down thru the dash, then across the the kick panel on the drivers side. all the plastic kick panel and tread plates at the doors easily pop out. theres already some wiring ran under the panels and my wires fit GREAT. once u remove the kick panel and tread plates u will EASILY see where to run. the onyl problem is gettin the RCA's down thru the dash. the only route i found was using a flash light and its on the driver side beside the heating duct. its tough to get through but its doable. holler at me whenever you do it id like to see how it turns out either way you go.

 

Thanks CornDog. I've got an access cab but I really need to pull the center console. I want to put the ipod cable in the center console itself and the amp will be right behind the console so it's farther from the sides then the center. I guess I'll just give it a shot and see how it goes. I'll post a write up and some pictures when I'm done because this forum and the web in general is really lite on the subject of getting all that plastic out.

Joe

 

i have an access cab also, at first i had 3 10's, then sold em and got 2 12's, now i have 1 15in. i have my rca's, remote and power wires coming from the bottom of the dash and just tucked under the side of the center console. it's very easy just to slide the zip-tied wires up there, but the wires will be exposed behind the console somewhere depending on where u run them. i just dont care because all i keep back there is work junk, never people so i threw the wire slack under the floor mat and called it a day

 

I can't belive you have a 15" inside an access cab. Thanks for the comment about the wires, I didn't even think to just slide them up under the plastic. I assume they haven't come out on you after a few bumps in the road. I'll probably route mine the same way now. I really didn't want to try and remove all the plastic around the gear shifter.

 

This has some info about removing the center console. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t87182.html

 

Exactly what I needed. BTW, Love your truck. For those of you not wanting to read through the linked thread this is the info I pulled from it.

"Just pull up on the silvery plastic piece/cupholder that surrounds the shifter. There are 2 screws to unscrew around the shifter. Then there are 2 bolts under the felt padding inside the center console/arm rest. Then just pull the whole console up and backwards toward the rear window of the truck. Most of the plastic pieces on this truck are held on by clips that release when you pull on 'em. It's easy."

Joe

 

I ran the iPod cable to the center console on my Tacoma this past Sunday. I ended up running the cable from the back of the Head Unit down the right side and in front of the heater unit. Then I ran the cable into the forward center console (without removing it) and to the Pioneer iPod "junction" box just aft of the shifter. The only two peices I removed to get in there were the glove box and the cupholders (where the shifter is in the automatics). Then I drilled a hole in the back of the center console compartment and ran the interface cable through there. It is all nice and concealed now!



I took pictures, but my camera is at home. If anyone wants to see them, let me know, and I will put them on here...

 

yea the 3 10's sounded good, the 2 12's were bangin pretty well but the single 15 is great, i dont like using my mirrors and i dont want to hear the passenger in my truck so i just turn up the tunes a little and i cant even think straight with everything bouncing around and falling off from the vibrations, its bad enough to where the skin on your face jiggles and tickles like hell haha

 

and the wires have never come out of place from tucking them under the plastic, i zip-tied them together underneath the dash and havent ever had a problem while jumping speed tables and whatnot

 

Thanks for all the help. Based on what I know now I think that console should be a snap and if it gives me any trouble I'll be tucking the wire up the sides. Should have it all installed next weekend. It'll be nice to have some bass again and better locate my ipod.

Joe

 

pb2themax to the rescue

 

Well the install is complete and the center console came out super easy. Here is my post on the install http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/3903-sub-amp-install-complete-access-cab.html