Since changing my cab seats from 2+1 to a pair of Captains Chairs with swivel bases we have had nowhere to put things like drinks or snacks and other essential items on long journeys. As the seats need to swivel and we like to be able to get through to the back to use the loo or whatever without getting out (e.g. if it’s raining) I couldn’t fit an off-the-shelf console. I scoured the net looking for something that would fit, but to no avail. My hot water tank is also (currently) my the handbrake so that also complicated matters.
I, therefore, had to build my own.
It sits lower than the seats so they rotate without hitting it and it’s strong enough to stand on when climbing through. I built it with the idea to extend it as needed both further back if I manage to relocate the hot water tank, and add a removable top that unclips or slides off for swivelling the seats.
Scribing it to fit the contours of the floor was a right mission… lots of little cuts and copious amounts of cardboard. I got fed up with walking around to the back of my house to the workshop so brought the bandsaw to the drive!
It’s not perfect, but it is a good start.
I added the oak strips to help stop the carpet edges from getting worn/pulled away as there was no perfect place to join the carpet, but they also tie it in with my rear furniture aesthetic and really make it look more refined.
The lower edges could do with something similar, to be honest. If I have some spare oak I’ll see what I can come up with.
As I was making it a neighbour came to chat… turns out he runs a company that make parts for Bentley and JLR including aluminium cast centre consoles and just so happens to have a few scrap/miscasts that he said I am welcome to try and see if they would fit… so v2 may have an extra luxury feel to it. Pretty excited by this prospect!
