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08-21-2012, 05:19 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,239
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy
I started with a cardboard template and eventually came up with this
Then I worked out how to mount my visors in it, which are pretty important to me. They will only lay flat and fold down in ONE position, which you have to find carefully. As you may know, they are mounted to the factory roof at an angle and it takes some patience to get them to cooperate on a flat surface.
Then I added some edges and a center seperation to keep things organized up there.
Then I carefully screwed it to the inner sheetmetal of the roof, expirementing with different lengths of screws to bite through the inner sheet metal and not through the roof.
And there you have it
Mine will be carpeted soon, and for now I skipped adding any powered things like CB, powerpoint, etc. But I may someday. I just love that I finally got this project done after thinking about it for years.
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08-21-2012, 05:48 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,854
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy
Nice work. It looks great.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
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08-21-2012, 09:03 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Up In The Mountains
Posts: 427
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy
Yes, I have mine on the to do list also!
Looks Great!
__________________
2003 Ford E-350SD 4x4
V10 / 4R100 / NV271
Front Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/King Pin/Open Knuckle/High Steer
Rear Axle - 1 Ton Spec Dana 60/Full Floating
Eaton E-Lockers Front And Rear/4:10 Gears
ARB Differential Covers - Nodular Iron With Dipstick And Drain Plug
Leaf Spring Suspension Front And Rear
46 Gal Transfer-Flow Fuel Tank
ExtremeAire Magnum Air Compressor
Reunel Rear Bumper
On And On ...
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08-21-2012, 11:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bay Area ,CA
Posts: 761
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy
That looks nice. How did you attach it to the van?
__________________
2008 Ford E-350 V-10 EB
Transformer Interior
U-Joint Off Road 4x4 kit in the garage
2004 F-350 Dana 60
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08-22-2012, 05:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,239
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy
The van body is double thick around the top of the cab, and has a couple of inches of dead air space there between the inner and outer sheet metal. I carefully pulled down the edges of my headliner to find spots where I could run a screw without risking hitting the outer skin. It's tough though because none of that inner sheet metal is flat. I drilled some pilot holes carefully, but still broke a bit when I got off center on one. Holding the shelf up and attaching it is by far the toughest part. I cut a 2x4 the exact length from the center of the floor beneath to the shelf to support it while I drilled and screwed.
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08-22-2012, 06:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 219
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy
nice job. theres another on the forums that looks good too.
i was wondering how it changes any of the entry/exit geometry. do you have to be mindful of it when entering/exiting? does it get in the way of bending forward or anything? if you have an impact (knock wood) is there a risk of it being close enough to hit your head whereas you might have more room for your melon if it wasnt there? you mentioned the resulting position of the sun visors was perfect for you...how much variance in a persons height, from yours, do you think would accommodate an install such as yours.
i really like the idea and hav it on my down the road wish list but these are questions i think about when i come around to thinking about an overhead console.
good tip about temp support....i can picture myself trying to hold it up, line it up, securing it, all with one hand and using my exhaustive expletive dictionary.
__________________
Red Zeppelin - 2003 Chevy Express 2500 6.0L 2WD RB
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08-23-2012, 09:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,239
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy
Quote:
Originally Posted by cygvan
nice job. theres another on the forums that looks good too.
i was wondering how it changes any of the entry/exit geometry. do you have to be mindful of it when entering/exiting? does it get in the way of bending forward or anything? if you have an impact (knock wood) is there a risk of it being close enough to hit your head whereas you might have more room for your melon if it wasnt there? you mentioned the resulting position of the sun visors was perfect for you...how much variance in a persons height, from yours, do you think would accommodate an install such as yours.
i really like the idea and hav it on my down the road wish list but these are questions i think about when i come around to thinking about an overhead console.
good tip about temp support....i can picture myself trying to hold it up, line it up, securing it, all with one hand and using my exhaustive expletive dictionary.
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Lol! I did have a few choice words before I rigged up the 2x4.
Answers: I'm 6'2", and I have the factory electric seat which I keep completely up in the highest and most rearward position. Highest for visibility, most rearward for legroom. I DON'T sit back like a gangster, I can't believe so many people do. Even with this seating position, I'm nowhere near this thing. I can see it being a crash risk if you went up and forward in a front end crash, but I'm going to pad the edge and carpet mine soon, and am not really worried about it. Entry and exit are unchanged for me. Also, no issues when I turn sideways to step in to the back of the van.
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08-24-2012, 04:11 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 100
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy
Great job. Would love to see the final product installed.
__________________
Harold Grissom - 2005 Quigley Ford E-350, 6.0 Turbo Diesel.
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09-04-2012, 05:33 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 100
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy
Any updates?
__________________
Harold Grissom - 2005 Quigley Ford E-350, 6.0 Turbo Diesel.
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09-04-2012, 05:44 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,239
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy
I've got the carpet and foam but not done yet. Probably this week though.
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