Randy: You can mock up out of masonite sheet and have a pretty good idea of what it will look like when done. If you have a CAD program You can get the dimensions right but it is hard to evaluate the 'Look" of the thing. You really need the 3d view to be successful, and you may need more than one shot. I've had to scrap several things along the way cuz they just didn't get it.
Mine is essentially going to be a piece of 1/4 aluminum plate cut to fit the normal dash board place, and then a formed box bolted to the front with the Gages and various insundry switches and lights installed. Also the box and all the gages will be aimed at the drivers position. Things like the A/C controls, light switch and Wiper controls will be in the main plate. I think I am going to mount my CB Radio above under the roof in the center.
I've got speedo, tach, boost, egt, fuel level, O/P W/T, Volts, and Air Pressure. I think I'm going back to them for a clock too! So there is a bunch going on.
I'm doing this so I can remove the box and work on the gages on the bench rather than trying to work upside down under the dash. My CJ 5 has this problem and believe me it sucks.
My Yukon Denali Seats have arm rests so the only center console I'll have will be a little box between the seats. OH and I will have at least 2 well constructed cup holders in thsi jeep.
Try to get a picture in your head of what you would like this thing to look like, do this many times, to refine it til it works and does what you want and eventually it will appear in the real world. It's what I do. Sounds like magic , but it is what development is all about. It's not like you can go down to the NAPA store and buy one.
It's not what you buy, it's what you build. And I'm sure you've heard" Real Jeeps are built not bought"
Well I say,,,, "it's not how well you do what you know how to do, It's how well you do, what you
don't know how to do, that matters"
Randy