Alright guys, I am going to write an exclusive restoration and installation thread here at RF.net in hopes that we can boost membership here whenever people search for shorty consoles. I picked up this shorty console from a 2001 Mazda B4000 at the junkyard. I only paid $5 for the complete console including the cast metal mounting support and the clips/fasteners. It was quite dirty, and suffers from the cracked armrest bottom plate syndrome. Over the next few weeks I will be documenting the clean up and restoration of the console and then the installation of the console into my Ranger. I will also document the installation of the RockAuto metal bottom plate, but at a later date since the crack in my armrest doesn't affect the armrest's position as of yet. Currently my truck has the 60/40 seat, so I will also be documenting the 60/40 mod that I will have to do to my driver's side seat. The entire console will be going Satin Black to match my seats and the other black accents in the truck. I am also considering adding a Mag-Light mount to the underside of the armrest. Here's a few pics to get started with. These next two pics were taken after I disassembled the majority of the console and then proceeded to clean it up, especially the upper armrest. I used dish soap and water, and a scrub brush to clean up the console. The armrest has some deep stains that won't come out, but that's fine with me since the armrest will be recovered anyway.
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Well I spent today prepping and painting all the individual pieces of the console. I won't go into detail on how I prepped since this isn't a how-to thread, but I made sure all debris was off of the console pieces and made sure there was nothing that could interfere with the paint. I have an in at a local upholstery shop, and so in the middle of drying times I took the console in to have it recovered in some black vinyl for $20 out the door. Should be picking it up tomorrow. The next two pictures were taken after the painted pieces in the picture were allowed to dry. I wanted to test fit the console lid and the cup holder section to make sure the satin black was drying adequately and providing a factory appearance. In this picture you can see the crack in the lid of the armrest. Right now the crack doesn't affect the armrest's position, but eventually I will be upgrading to the RockAuto metal plate. And finally after all the pieces were painted inside and out. This was just a test fit to check again for factory appearance. Tomorrow the pieces will come back apart for clear coat.
Thanks man! The pictures don't do it justice, it looks amazing in person. I can't wait to get the armrest back for it.
looks good man, mine i did the lid and cup holder white and the rest is black except the fabric which is still gray
