[Gilboy]

OK... Since I got my E I like everyone else was unhappy with the "console" (if you want to call it that) that Honda has. Luckily my brother in law has a MDF fabrication business so this past weekend I went up and made a prototype of "the ultimate console". I tried to give it everything I wanted. Large and small cup holders up where you need them (can be used as change and phone receptacles too), a constant on outlet to charge phone, a compartment in the back that can be used for a trash receptacle or for my CD case, a small storage tray in the front. Notice all the edges are rounded and I put on a tough speckled black gray finish. On the bottom there is a dado to fit around the lip of the floor liner. It mounts same as the factory console with spring steel tabs on back and two screws in front storage tray. You can still access the E brake also.

If anyone can think of any other improvement I can make to it let me know. The good news is with my brother in law's shop we can crank these out as fast as people want them. We figure the cost around $100 for a perfectly constructed ultimate console. We could make any custom modification someone would want too. Anybody interested???

 

[Gilboy]

More pictures

Here are two more

 

[Gilboy]

and two more

Notice the rounded corners and grey back speckled finish

 

[paulj]

I made a replacement as well, except I went the other direction, and made mine flat. For that I used two layers of hardboard, with the bottom one trimmed to fit inside the opening. Figuring out a simple but effective way of securing it (mainly the front 'screws') was the hardest part.

I completed the 'console' with a rectangular duffel, with a pocket for the brake. This gives me a place to put stuff, but without getting in the way of gear when setup for camping.

paulj

 

[Karaoke Massage]

that looks really nice. too bad I already bought and installed the driver's side armrest thingy. I don't think your console would work with that.

 

[Gilboy]

Museum quality

I forgot to mention... My brother in law's MDF fabrication business primarily builds custom made pedestals and stands for displaying art and pottery in museums and art galleries. So consoles will be built with radius edges, professional finishes, no exposed seams or fasteners, and impeccable workmanship. Also if anyone needs a pedestal for artwork I'll get you his website.

 

[hownowcb]

That's one great looking piece of work there, Gilboy! My only advice would be to include two power outlets, right from the get-go. Perhaps one always on and one only on with the ignition (and labeled accordingly!)*

*On second thought, that would require two leads from the fuse block. Never mind that part -- since a lot of people are gonna be challenged by getting one source of power to the console! Voice of experience thinking out loud there...:razz:

 

[box-E]

Man that really looks great! How big is it across the back? Could the back part be used as a sub box for a 10" sub? Drew

 

[mustang8918]

I was thinking, for me anyway, that I would like two cup holders in the back and the front to have one big deep opening like the SC has.

 

[ramblerdan]

Looks real nice, Gil.

 

[lizzurd]

Looks real good....i'd buy one......but you need to add one thing..... a twinkee holder......

 

[Speedy Toaster Dave]

Lizzard, Twinkee's have a shefl life of 20yrs ya know dat right ..:razz:

 

[Speedy Toaster Dave]

i like the console also wish i didnt already buy something different. well made
and great looking,

 

[buckeye96]

I'll buy one as well.

 

[Gilboy]

It's custom

that looks really nice. too bad I already bought and installed the driver's side armrest thingy. I don't think your console would work with that.

If someone would give me a picture of the armrest console installed an a measurement from the Element floor to the bottom of it my console could easily be made shorter to clear. I would also need to know if it extends further forward that the factory armrests for cup holder placement.

 

[erock1070]

did you have to lift up or take out the rubber flooring to get the wiring from the fuse box to the accessory outlet ?

 

[Gilboy]

No, just fish it.

No, just remove factory console and use a opened up wire coat hanger. guide it under the flooring and it will com out under the dash, tape wire to it then pull it back. see my post where I added the outlet to my factory floor console before I did this.

 

[Critical_level2]

Looks real nice. I have a question. I noticed the opening for the E-brake handle. Does it hinder the movement of the e-brake, like can the E-brake still have full travel or does the console restrict its movement to only a few clicks.

 

[EnolaGaia]

Looks real nice. I have a question. I noticed the opening for the E-brake handle. Does it hinder the movement of the e-brake, like can the E-brake still have full travel or does the console restrict its movement to only a few clicks.

I was wondering the same thing ... I like the floor-mounted e-brake and I like to use it to 'full' extension (upward). Unless there's something I'm missing, it looks like this wouldn't work for me.

Other comments ...

* Fit and finish look excellent! Kudos to you! ...

* I don't claim to be 'typical', but FWIW ... Personally, the top configuration is pretty much useless for me. I don't use cupholders at all, cupholders are not usable for the other small items I'd like to have at hand (e.g., certain remotes), and the small well in the rear is probably too small for the CD cases I use.

* Again - speaking only for myself - I'd find a console attractive if it afforded me additional front storage space (my main gripe with the E). If I were designing it for me, I'd definitely prefer a storage space *within* the box structure (even if it had to have a relatively narrow hatch on the top).

Just my .02 ...

 

[fas2go]

Sweet console! I like that it is raised, better aim fir grasping a brew