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Old 08-21-2012, 05:19 PM   #1
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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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Old 08-21-2012, 05:48 PM   #2
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Finally built me an overhead console thingy

Nice work. It looks great.
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Old 08-21-2012, 09:03 PM   #3
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy

Yes, I have mine on the to do list also!

Looks Great!

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Old 08-21-2012, 11:47 PM   #4
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy

That looks nice. How did you attach it to the van?
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Old 08-22-2012, 05:34 AM   #5
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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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Old 08-22-2012, 06:05 PM   #6
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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.

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Old 08-23-2012, 09:47 PM   #7
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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.

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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Old 08-24-2012, 04:11 AM   #8
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy

Great job. Would love to see the final product installed.
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Old 09-04-2012, 05:33 AM   #9
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Re: Finally built me an overhead console thingy

Any updates?
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Old 09-04-2012, 05:44 AM   #10
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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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