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Overhead Console thoughts?

dcompton

dcompton

Basic User
City
Front Royal
State
VA
Hello all!

I've been thinking about the overhead console. Does anyone have any experience with this? I thought I saw a post where GreatCJ8 mentioned he had one but I couldn't find any details about it. It seems like a great idea. I'm concerned about it feeling cramped.

Thanks guys!
DC
 
A buddy of mine is selling, or just sold one. Not sure why he sold it. I think he was hitting his head alot. He also had a rattle in it for a while but I thin k he got rid of it, or, maybe he just got used to it. Anyway he has if for sale now.
 
If you're going from nothing, then it may seem a little cramped at first, but if you're accustomed to having roll cage stringers it probably won't bother you. You *do* have to be more careful when getting in so that you don't whack your head. Still waiting for a guy I met late last year to finbish his custom console...pretty slick what I saw of it. Basically boxed in the center spreaders on his cage and then he was building modular panels that bolted to it so that he could reposition or swap things out easily if he wanted to.
 
Jeepskate said:
Still waiting for a guy I met late last year to finbish his custom console
Click to expand...

Yeah, I remember something about that from another post. Tell him to get busy, I wanna see it! :D
 
Trying to keep this thread alive.
I think there has to be more choices than the Tuffy unit. Besides, their instructions say you should keep the swing-down mounts swung up (closed) when driving. This means you can't see or adjust your CB or stereo. Since I'm in mountain county quite often, I can't imagine not adjusting my CB a million times per day.

I have two parallel "stringers" going from the stock hoop to the front hoop that are about 12" apart and 2" in diameter. I've though pretty hard about the stereo, CB AND a way to get some air movement when it's hot...

Here's my current plan:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/console.jpg

I figure I can put a sheet of 1/8" aluminum on top and below the stringers with screws. I already have the fans (which are very powerful and use very little amperage), the switches (same as ARB locker switches -Carlingtech?), the RadioShack speaker and stereo. I just need the Cobra CB (all in the mic so it's detachable), and the nylon map holder. The map holders are popular with backpackers and mountain bikers. They have a clear side for viewing the map while keeping it dry.

Cost:
Aluminum - $30
Speaker - $20?
switches - $20 with custom labeling (see
http://www.wirelm.com/modular_rocker_switches.htm)
Fans - $15?
Aluminum air ducts (Home Depot) - $8?
Stereo?

The mounting plate for the stereo is just a portion of the bottom aluminum folded up which in turn makes the access port to get to the stereo knobs. The whole thing will be much lighter than Tuffy's product, but of course, not as secure. However, I'll have tunes, loud CB, strong air stream for me and a passenger, and a place to keep a map. Plus, it won't hang down below the rollbar. The 2" diameter of the bars is plenty enough interior height for all the goodies.

Any feedback?

As for speakers, I've got a used TJ sound bar I'll attach to the back of the main rollbar hoop with special rollbar clamps since I don't have a family cage. I'll put one 8" sub inside a custom aluminum and vinyl console to keep it hidden.
 
I just installed the Tuffy 2 unit model last week on my CJ 7 and love the results! My Cobra CB and Alpine stereo/cd fit perfectly. I purchased it used from a guy on another forum who's local - but the unit had seen very little usage. Paid $160.00 which was money well spent imho.

The unit does NOT interfere with my head room or vision (unless I'm looking at the sun/moon!). It did have a little rattle in one compartment, but some rubber strips took care of the problem.

The locking mechanisms are pretty ingenious (1 turn of the key locks both compartments) and I have no problem riding around with them both in the open position.

Just thought ya'll would like some real life experience.....
 
hey Mizedog, nice concept!

are the fans aimable? I mean do they swivel in all directions like sunken lights?
 
dcompton said:
Hello all!

I've been thinking about the overhead console. Does anyone have any experience with this? I thought I saw a post where GreatCJ8 mentioned he had one but I couldn't find any details about it. It seems like a great idea. I'm concerned about it feeling cramped.

Thanks guys!
DC
Click to expand...

I've mentioned I want one but I still don't have one as, believe it or not, my cage still isn't installed :o :rolleyes:
 
Good stuff

-OBXTucker, thanks for the real world experience that is always helpful!

-Stouttrout, I imagine it's already gone but if not do you know if it is a one bay or two bay model?

Thanks!

DC
 
Last edited:
GreatCJ8, I've thought of several ideas:

1. rear vents from a full sized van. Good choice, but too busy, and old, junkyard plastic is brittle - I broker a couple before installing them.

2. Cool hotrod vents. Nice, but too deep. Since I have 2" tube, I have 2 inches of dept available for the fan and the vents. The nice hotrod vents seem to be to small in diameter for the 4 inch fans and too deep.

3. Aluminim roof vents from Home Depot. These are cheap soft aluminum, round vents designed for venting the eaves on houses. They come in a range of sizes. I picke 4" because that's close to the fan diameter. I'll just poke them up through the round hole, them cut some tabs, and fold them down to keep the vent from falling out. They'll swivel in the sheet metal mounting suface allowing the air to be pointed at my head, or at the windsheild do de-fog it. Here's another feable drawing:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/vent.jpg

Here's something similar in plastic:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...ID=cccjaddfgdilkhicgelceffdfgidgjj.0&MID=9876

They have louvers in them that can be left alone, or bent to change the angle the air comes out at.
Plus, they will match the aluminum sheet used for the console.

I haven't cut the whole yet. I you have a better idea, please let me know.
 
mizedog said:
Sorry to beat this thread to death. I don't mean to hog space...
Click to expand...

Dude, you've got some cool ideas that will no doubt help someone or give them an idea at least... post away! Great pic of the speaker box, I love that idea!
 
mizedog said:
GreatCJ8, I've thought of several ideas:

1. rear vents from a full sized van. Good choice, but too busy, and old, junkyard plastic is brittle - I broker a couple before installing them.

2. Cool hotrod vents. Nice, but too deep. Since I have 2" tube, I have 2 inches of dept available for the fan and the vents. The nice hotrod vents seem to be to small in diameter for the 4 inch fans and too deep.

3. Aluminim roof vents from Home Depot. These are cheap soft aluminum, round vents designed for venting the eaves on houses. They come in a range of sizes. I picke 4" because that's close to the fan diameter. I'll just poke them up through the round hole, them cut some tabs, and fold them down to keep the vent from falling out. They'll swivel in the sheet metal mounting suface allowing the air to be pointed at my head, or at the windsheild do de-fog it. Here's another feable drawing:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/vent.jpg

Here's something similar in plastic:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...ID=cccjaddfgdilkhicgelceffdfgidgjj.0&MID=9876

They have louvers in them that can be left alone, or bent to change the angle the air comes out at.
Plus, they will match the aluminum sheet used for the console.

I haven't cut the whole yet. I you have a better idea, please let me know.
Click to expand...

You thought about using some cast-off radio speaker grills ?
 
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