Center console add-on storage tray DIY

In my '02 4x4 stick shift there wasn't a good spot to store anything small besides the cupholders which led to the cupholders never being able to hold cups. I always thought it would be nice to have some room to store things off the floor on the passenger side of the console since it's still within reach, doesn't affect drivers side legroom and would keep small items from getting lost inside either of the center console boxes.



I designed the endcap pieces so they snap into place on the console and stay put no matter what (might come loose in a multiple rollover from being hit and broken by loose objects in the cab) without using any fasteners or adhesives. It takes a couple four letter words and a paint can opener to get them off.



By using two separate sections of aluminum the top piece can hold anything with a belt loop as well - even the belt loop is fixed and can't be 'opened'. Kind of like a rigid MOLLE panel, but even more universal.



There is still plenty of legroom on the passenger side and even a space for a large water bottle like a 40oz kleen kanteen or silo style 48 oz nalgene. The passenger seat clears by about 1/4" on the rear corner with the seat slide all the way forward. It actually holds a lot of stuff!



The endcaps are 3d printed and it took a few tries to get the fit right.



So happy looking at how this thing turned out in the truck right now. Really sturdy for no fasteners. This is the first of a few cockpit mods and I'm excited to use the momentum for the next step!

I'm also hoping to do a more universal design with optional screw holes to fit a wider variety of vehicles and will add info on here if that happens as I think it's a pretty handy little mod for just about any vehicle.

 

Nice...Using Shapeways or do you have your own printer?

 

nice

 

You should look into making a cup holder with those clips as attachments. I know there is a guy making some already but they attach to the console by hanging off the top and screwing into the side of the console. Plus they have too much going on in my opinion. Phone holder, flash light holder, pen holder. Lol

 

do you have that design on one of those 3d printing sites where others could buy some?

 

Hmm I wonder if its strong enough to mount a full first aid kit too, if that side rail is break away or just pops off it would be good place too keep a first aid kit for incause of emergency. Would be better though if it could be more secured incase of a roll ove r

 

Are you selling sets of these? They would make great gifts for some 1st gen friends of mine.

 

Very cool.

I would buy these if/when they become available.

 

How much? Seriously.

 

I have my own reprap medel90 printer I built a few years ago. I've used it for all sorts of things - from prototype medical devices to motorcycle chain sliders.

Yeah I could do that. Getting the CAD right for the profile of the clip is the tricky part, changing what's going on in between them is pretty straightforward . You thinking just a single cup holder on passenger side or a double cup holder over there. Can't get too big or you're into the passengers actual leg space. I think I've that guys cupholder product advertised on here or Craigslist and they seemed a little big and bulky to me .

Not posted anywhere yet. If you have access to a printer I could email you an stl file.

 

The upper side rail is slightly tapered and press fits into the slot on the brackets. Would be a great spot for a first aid kit. Highly visible and quick access. I could probably make another part that clips over the top bar to hold it in down and could be easily removed for breakaway type access. I think it's pretty well locked in for medium trail duty, and high speed jamming down bumpy fire roads. Part of the motivation to build it was that often I'd end up keeping walkie talkies, maps and other items in the shifter boot and they'd bounce out and end up down by the pedals. I smash through some pretty rough roads around here regularly and it hasn't budged yet.

I was planning on doing a few sets for people and charging $30 for a pair of brackets and the two aluminum pieces ready to install. And then also having an option for $15 to just buy two brackets straight off the printer without any touch up or sanding done for people who are more budget minded. They take about 1.5hrs of machine time and .5hrs of my time for touch up and the two aluminum pieces. The materials are around $5 total between the plastic and aluminum. I'm not looking to make a ton of them right now, but happy to make a few for people on here. If I get a more universal design going I'm going to look into having a run manufactured either stateside or overseas to avoid spending my hours at home by the computer and to bring the overall cost per unit down significantly. Send me direct message if you're interested in ordering a set. I'm also doing a set for a pre-taco 86-94 console as well. Have someone local that asked for a set .

 

Cool either single or a double would be great.

 

Very cool, nice work!

 

Any update on making a cup holder op?

 

UPDATE!! I'm making at least a half a dozen sets to send out. DM message me if interested. I also mirrored the CAD file if anyone wants it on the drivers side, let me know and I will have those available as well. I'm also working on a clip to hold the top bar down. Finished sets are $38.50 ($30 + $8.50 shipping via).

Still working on a double cupholder version for @Tim7902 which I will post pics of once I have them - would you want a passenger side or driver's side for the cupholders?

The brackets themselves attach _very_ well without fasteners and while I haven't personally tested it, I'm fairly confident in saying they'd stay in place during a roll-over. They may damage the plastic on the console depending what else bumps into them while rolling, and since they are just an open tray anything in it, not strapped down, would likely become a projectile as well. Stay on all four wheels and you'll be a happier camper.

I'm hoping to make the clip function well enough that a handheld radio or med kit strapped to the upper bar would stay in place after a roll-over as well. I might print a few clips in red to make it more user friendly in figuring out how to get a med kit off if strapped to the bar as well.

 

Passenger side would be great.

 

Looks great! Is there any way we could just get the STL?

 

I'm in!

Will these come with the aluminum pieces?

 

Can't wait to see the cup holder version!

 

Maybe i should post mine in here, just got it in the other day it’s pretty nice lol
Plan to get a different pouch and attach my first aid kit to it