Ford Transit USA Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

OEM center console, what's underneath?

Jump to Latest
22K views 38 replies 15 participants last post by  foxharp  
F
#1 ·
Strongly considering purchase of a 2015 Transit, but I have unique cargo requirements and could really use the few inches that are taken up by the OEM center console.

Anyone have any pictures, or knowledge, of what's behind the OEM center console?

Thanks!

Image
 
W
#3 ·
Just a guess but it may be like the old Econolines and that's the rear end of the motor??
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
U
#4 ·
freeride,

When I was at my upfitter last week they had mine off. I don't remember anything being in the space behind it except wiring. That whole piece comes off as one, including the area around the shifter. I'll call tomorrow and see if they still have it off and if I can get a picture.

Semper Fi
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
U
#6 ·
freeride,

Here is a picture, it's not from mine, they already had mine buttoned up, but it will give you an idea. It's what I remember, except having the upfitter switches, I think there was a bracket at about that height.

Semper Fi
 

Attachments

Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#8 ·
USMC Vet said:
freeride,

Here is a picture, it's not from mine, they already had mine buttoned up, but it will give you an idea. It's what I remember, except having the upfitter switches, I think there was a bracket at about that height.

Semper Fi
Click to expand...
So,...looks like there's space for some extra sound deadening foam inside the plastic housing. I'd love my van to be as quiet as a Bentley.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
U
#14 ·
freeride said:
Oh wow...thanks! That's a lot of room!

So is this (red) the OEM location of the gear shifter (shown in 2nd pic in red)?
Click to expand...

freeride,

By trying to match up the different colored wiring connectors shown in my earlier picture with this one, it would seem to be where the shifter is located.

I'm guessing that the metal platform could be what the cup holders rest on. One could make a console that eliminated all that wasted space under the cup holders and still contain the wiring.

Or as previously mentioned mount a double din stereo, maybe angled upwards to be seen clearly.

Semper Fi
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
L
#15 ·
Hi all,

I'm looking for this center console but i can't order it in europe is it possible that someone can order this for me. Or that i can buy it from someone?
Here in europe we do not have this option, we only have a flat panel here. Btw, i will need the metal plate/bracket behind it. I would prefer the version with the upfitter switches and 1 cupholder.
Can someone help?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
F
#16 ·
i'd like to have a console that had more useful storage bins -- the little oddly-shaped pockets aren't really good for much, and a coin holder? can't think of the last time i needed spare change while driving. i want a place for a couple of pens/pencils, maybe a small pad of paper, breath/caffeine mints, some toothpicks, etc. in a car some of that stuff could be in the glove compartment, but that's a long way from the driver seat in the transit. and those upfitter switches? they're really kind of in the way. i'm glad mine aren't connected to anything, because i'm always bumping them on or off when getting in and out of the driver seat.
 
U
#18 ·
foxharp,

I bought a small soft sided camera case at Best Buy that was big enough to hold a small notebook, couple of pens, pack of gum and a folding calculator. Thought of velcroing it to the front of console (area where coin holder is) then decided to just zip tie it to my monitor arm. Easily accessible, and out of the way.

Semper Fi
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
O
#17 ·
Foxharp:

I agree with your evaluation. Huge hunk of plastic without very useful pockets. I put a tin can in the upper left dash cup holder for my spare change. Never carry it in my pocket. I also miss a place to put pencils/pens. I will make a part to fit in the driver door ahead of the pocket on the part that is sloped to hold pencils/pens. Just make a taller fence on that slope. I do like the cell phone older as a place for my business cards. (Got rid of the cell phone) Another thing I dislike is no flat area on the dash where you can place a cup or glass without it sliding off. I like the hidden pocket at the upper right of the driver door. Put $20 in there for emergencies, a spare key and the remote start button.
 
F
#19 ·
your "monitor arm"? that's an accessory i don't have. :) but your point re: the small case is well taken -- maybe there's something easy i can do in that regard. one positive vote for the console: my wife claims it's the only car she's ever owned with a decent place to put her purse. it fits nicely on the lower shelf.

laurens -- the more i think about it, the more i think you'd be better off building additions to your flat console than switching for the north american version. you'll end up with something more useful doing it that way, i think.
 
L
#20 ·
Thanks you all for the info, i was thinking of building something myself but i thought it would get ugly and to big. And i need a place for storage, now my phone ends up on the dash in front of the radiodisplay.

Thx, semper fi for the pdf file with the parts overview! Maybe i can order from here since i have the partnumbers
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
U
#23 · (Edited)
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
F
#25 ·
i encourage anyone frustrated by the poor design of the center console to pop the top off (just pull up, along the seam) and marvel at the amount of space under there. it sure seems like someone could make a replacement top that had more sensible partitioning, with perhaps some deeper bins.

the other thing i'm going to look into is popping out the coin holder and the upfitter switches. i have no current plans for the switches, so i'd just let them dangle inside somewhere. a replacement for both of those pieces that formed a bin, not unlike the bins in the overhead console, would be far more useful than either the coin holder or the switches, for me at least.
 
U
#26 ·
Is coin holder removable from front of center console

foxharp & others,

Was wonderingif the coin holder on the front of the OEM center console is separate from the up fitter switches? Or are both mounted in the same piece of plastic. I see a break in the plastic between them, but don't know if it goes all the way through the console. :s Need to move a couple of switches to a better location, for me, and figured taking the coin holder out and putting a front plate in there with the switches instead, would work perfectly.

Thanks for any help.

Semper Fi
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
F
#27 ·
console front panel details

USMC Vet -- you may have already gotten your answers, but i did take some pictures today while i had the console open. i think what you want to do will work just fine.

i put the pictures on the blog, rather than here, to avoid using up too much quota. (sigh.)
http://http://projects.foxharp.net/the_van/#center-console-internal-details-ndash-932016

the console top really does pull right off -- just get the tips of your fingers in the obvious crack all around, and pull up. to get the coin holder and switches out, squeeze the metal spring clips from behind while pushing from behind, and the whole frame will come out. the coin holder and switches come out of the frame pretty easily, by depressing plastic locking tabs on each.

paul
 
U
#28 · (Edited)
foxharp said:
USMC Vet -- you may have already gotten your answers, but i did take some pictures today while i had the console open. i think what you want to do will work just fine.

i put the pictures on the blog, rather than here, to avoid using up too much quota. (sigh.)
http://http://projects.foxharp.net/the_van/#center-console-internal-details-ndash-932016

the console top really does pull right off -- just get the tips of your fingers in the obvious crack all around, and pull up. to get the coin holder and switches out, squeeze the metal spring clips from behind while pushing from behind, and the whole frame will come out. the coin holder and switches come out of the frame pretty easily, by depressing plastic locking tabs on each.

paul
Click to expand...

paul,

Thanks, I was hoping the coin holder and the up fitter switches were separate items attached to the console area. Looking at your pictures, it appears that is the way it is. Will make it a neat place to relocate some switches, since the coin holder is unused anyway.

EDIT ; In your last picture, you show a unknown connector. I remember from previous Threads that there was a connection in the center console that was connected to the engine compartment, maybe for the up fitter switches, could that be the one?
Semper Fi
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Ford Transit USA Forum
posts
499K
members
59K
Since
2012
A forum community dedicated to Ford Transit owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, storage capacity, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Camper Vans and Conversions Ford Transit General Discussion Dealers, Purchases and Orders Electronics, Audio, and Lighting Wheels, Tires, Brakes, and Suspension