I have had an idea in my mind for quite some time that I would like to make and replace my center console. Not for anything just for shear fact of doing it and having a one off product. I'm not looking for a upgrade in functionality, although I do plan to make it a little more functional than my current set up.

Preface:
Currently I have the basic shifter on the column and the standard XLT center console that could hide a small child. In all honesty I don't need a center department that big, and it only encourages me to store trash and/or crap I really don't need.

I have a custom light bar on my truck that I built along with a small custom switch panel on the lower half of my dash. It's nice but I have two problems with the switch panel. Its in a inconvenient location for me to reach it. If I ever put anything in the space between my dash and console I usually end up flipping a switch and turning my lights on. If anyone is looking for a use for that useless cubby a switch panel works nicely lol.



My Plans:
I would like to build a somewhat-continuous flow dash into console. Similar to the following:


I will be designing the console in SolidWorks and then slowly fabricating it. I currently live about 2.5 hours from my nearest source of a shop and tools to work on anything so I don't think this will be a single week/end project. I have taken some pictures of my current setup and rough measurements to start with. I will probably try to get a better design idea using some cardboard mock ups. I haven't decided if I want to make the panel out of aluminum stock or fiberglass. I have thought about aluminum and making a plate on one side that I can open and access the underside as I want to create the ability to install switches or any other type of electrical devices. As soon as I get some rough solidwork sketches done I will post them. I'm not even sure if this will work proportionality wise, but I have been wanting to try for awhile.

I plan on having at least two cup holders for the front passengers. Not sure if I will worry about rear cup holders as I rarely have any passengers in the back seat. I will create a smaller internal console for storage. I am moving the shifter from the column to here. I need to do more research but I think I would like to use something other than the F150 shifter.

How You Can Help Me:
If someone that has a stock F150 flow-through console could get me some basic measurements of your console that would be a great help! Specifics include: from dash to front of shifter bezel and from front of shifter bezel to front of console lid. I may need more specific measurements as I generate the need for them.

Questions:
I have not seen a f150 shifter assembly up close and personal. Is there going to be something that will keep me from using another shifter assembly?
Does the grommet hole for the new shifter cable exist in all trucks?

Stay tuned!

 

Excited to watch the build!

 

You'll need a new shifter linkage cable, as the one from the column shift will not work with the floor shifter. Also, Patman helped me by drilling the hole in the floor pan for the shifter linkage--we knew where it was supposed to be, but it was not there on my STX SuperCab.

I don't have the Flow Through dash installed, but I'll try to go back outside in a lil while and get you the measurement for bezel to console lid.

My thread https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...w-through.html might be of some service, in case you haven't read it

 

So here is the prelim shape and design. Currently it looks a lot like the stock flow-through console except with the angled front panel. I'm not sure where I'm going to go with this but I wanted to get a starting point and also a visual reference for everyone.





Any ideas or thoughts on different ways for the layout are welcome. I would like to make it a little different in its own way, but still function nicely.

 

I knew I would have to order the new linkage I just was not sure if the hole already existed. Thanks I appreciate your help with the measurements. Since you don't have it installed yet do you think you could take throw measurements of the connection point on the shifter assembly? As I stated I am thinking of pulling a shifter from another vehicle to use, but I'm worried about the travel differences between shifters. I'm sure there is a little give and take in there, but I need to get that figured out.

Just for example I have been looking at a shifter from a Jeep Liberty.

 

That shifter probably would work. I'd have to look at the end where the cable attaches to it to know if it would play nice with Ford shift cable. Also keep in mind the F150 shifter has a fairly short arm on it since its mounted up high on the console. The liberty one looks to have a long arm and mounted fairly low. So if you were to mount the liberty one up high in an F150 console the shift ball would be higher than the arm rest. (just eyeballing this)

When you get ready to do this PM me and I can send you a rubber grommet that will fill your existing shifter hole in the floor

 

Glad to help, Watson. I'll try to get some various measurements and get back with ya shortly.

And thanks for the grommet, Pat

 

Shifter height is one thing I have been battling quite a bit. I am still looking to see if there is another style shifter that I like that would fit with the design well. Thanks for the offer on that grommet, I will hit you up when it comes that time.

 

You also might run into issues if it has a long throw between P and R. It won't sync up with the valve body in the transmission....

Like for instance this 2011 Charger shifter

Here's an F150 shifter out of the console



This is an 02-06 Altima , it might work shorter arm and evenly spaced selections

 

Is the f150 shifter even throw between every position? That's a good point, even at that the liberty shifter might not work.

 

and in this one you can see the placement of my shifter cable hole. Remember this is in an 03, so your truck will differ slightly.

 

Could always go with a ratchet style shifter.



I may end up going with the f150 shifter just so I know it will work, but then again that provides no challenge so it doesn't sound as fun! I like getting my stuff all tore apart to find out it isn't going to work.

@DSGSTX81: While your getting those measurements would you mind to tell me how tall the console is at the shifter assembly? I assume its the same height as mine is at the cup holders but that may be a bad thing to assume.

 

Watson,

Sorry I didn't get the chance to get that info to you yesterday. I'm working til 5 today but it is a nasty, rainy day so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get off then and get some measurements. By "how tall the console is at the shifter assembly" where are you starting? The floor, or the place where the shifter rests inside the console, or somewhere else?

The reason I ask is because my shifter is actually installed and functional in my truck, and I don't have time to do a whole teardown and replace (not trying to be a jerk, just didn't know if you thought my setup was installed, sitting there or what not). I'll take pics with the top trim piece off and show you how my setup looks--just PM me your e-mail address or cell number and I'll forward all those pics to you soon as I get them done.

 

I only scanned the later posts, so sorry if this is a bad reply

Why not go to the junkyards and find an old FX4 (or other model with a console shifter) and scavenge it for parts? You could still build your own console, but then you could use a stock shifter and all the parts required for shifting (cable, etc).

Just a thought

 

Matt,

It could be that he (like me) doesn't have a scrap yard with that new of a truck? There are a ton of junkyards around Memphis, even a dedicated F/L/M one, but finding 04-08 parts or trucks is rare. I still need a dash to finish my Flow Through project up to be stock, and there are NO FT dashes available here.

Now, I found my shifter on eBay for $25, so the $500 cost at a dealership is not necessary. Watson, search the Marketplace here and eBay, I bet you can find a linkage and shifter for less than $100. I bought my linkage off a guy here for less than $50, shipped. Search out lftedf150 on here, he is the guy who helped me find a BUNCH of oddball parts--super, super nice guy and very fair on his prices.