I just upgraded from a 97 with captain's chairs and a console to a 02 with the 40/60 split bench. The upgrade was for 4x4 and 0% interest, not the seating.

I've already discovered that I desperately miss that console with the cup holders and the junk/change holder. Without it, my phone and my Palm and my change and my tools and my general crap is without a home. I already use a cheapie floor console from Wal-Mart that does a pretty good job of holding empty cans and cups and phones and stuff, but it seems like a long way to reach for a hot or cold beverage.

The question is: does anyone know of an aftermarket console mfr. that "custom fits" to the F150 40/60 bench and transmission hump? I don't want to bolt anything in, or have it made of birds-eye maple -- just your basic hunk of plastic and vinyl it sit there and hold my coffee and the rest of my stuff. If not, I'm going to have to build one...and I am no woodworker.

Scott

PS Does anyone else miss being able to stretch their arm out across the back of a bench seat? I was really thinking I was gonna get that, and thought I did when I bought this one, but it is not the same as my old 84.

 

I have a great console made by Saddlebags. I actually bought it 10 years ago for my 89 Chev (shhhhhh I didnt say the "C" word) I think Steel Horse bought them out or something. Its a really heavy duty plywood frame upholstered in vinyl/faux leather.

Check them out. It cost me $80 in those days.

 

Just on the off-chance that someone else was interested, I thought I'd update this with my experiences.

First, I bougt the Steel Horse Contractors Console. This was NOT a good fit. It has almost three inches of overhang from the edge of the 40/60 bench seat. Comfort-wise, it was pretty nice having a place to lean on, and the cup holders were deep and stable. The utility of the fold-out writing surface was nice, but not very useful, as the writing position was unnatural for me. Also, it only had one cubby hole for the phone and Palm and change, and it was pretty shallow and not very useful. So I returned it.

Second, I got the Steel Horse Truck/SUV Console. This one is smaller than the Contractor, and it was definitely uncomfortable to me. Same problem with cubby holes. It didn't last the day in the truck.

Right now, I've given up. I bought a $3 cupholder that is supposed to sit on the floor and wedged it under the fold-down console. I use it for a primary holder. On the floor, I use my old SpillMaster floor unit that has two cupholders, a catch-all bin, and a secondary bin. It also has some penholders and things.
So I've now got six places to put drinks! Which is not unusual when I'm driving around with colleagues or clients -- each of us with a coffee or two apiece, cell phones, Palms and notebooks.

I am going to work on a home-built console that gives me what I need: storage for CDs and key-rings and hands-free kits and general junk; a clipboard for note-taking; cell-phone holders; pen holders; cup-holders, and best of all -- a large, flat area that will hold a big, stainless steel mug for coffee. One of these days, I'll do that.

 

you could always get a Navigator or Expedition console like us Lightning guys....

Im converting to bucket seats now, and will also have the wide Navigator console installed.

 

Take a look at the Wolf brand consoles. I've got one in my F150 (transmission hump) and it works great. Very well made (wood frame). Two cup holders and a fairly large covered storage space.