New Console Build (Finished)

It's been a while since I started my console and I had expected to get it in before now...but that's how life goes. Today I finally got around to bolting it in and running most of the wires to it for my stereo. I ran them all through a piece of 1/2" heater hose to make it look clean and keep as much moisture and dust out. I couldn't find the power outlets I wanted, so those aren't in there yet, and there really isn't anymore room in the heater hose for more wires...No cup holders yet either. I welded up some, but didn't like how they came out. I'll have to take a look at the local RV/Boat place.

I used some scrap plywood for the top lid/armrest and covered it with some indoor/outdoor carpet from the local hardware store. All in all, I think I have about $50 into it:
Radio and 1 speaker........................$10 (wrecking yard)
Ammo can.....................................$20 (mil surplus store)
radio antenna.................................$10 (Radio Shack)
Heater hose, carpet, wiring terminals..$10 (hardware store)
Speaker wire, band aids, misc hardware....(on hand)

 

Very nice!

 

Can you still put on the original lid? Maybe add some locking mechanism to prevent skullduggery?

 

Just for the record Recovery gets 3 points for using the work "Skullduggery"

Anyhow I'd still be leary of water. We did something like that in a friend's JEEP once and it lasted less than a week due to moisture from washing the outside of the JEEP.

 

Smart. As I said on the last thread, I do believe I'll be using this idea in mine.

 

FWIW, Surplus Tools in Denver carries the 20 mm ammo boxes for about $ 21 or $22. I bought one. They are od green and have the numbers and wording painted over, but are in very good shape.

tommy b

 

Indeed, the original ammo can lid still goes on over the radio and stuff. The radio is sunk down a bit so all of the controls clear the can lid. It's no longer water proof, but it's definately water resistant.

I thought (briefly) about locks but haven't put them on yet. The ammo can lid has a latch on each end, so it would be easy to weld on a bolt to the can and drill a hole through the latch so that when the latch is closed the bolt passes through the latch. Then put a pad lock through the bolt. Did anyone follow that?

 

On mine the lid had slotted holes it it, so I used some i think 1" u-bolts and they lined rirght up. Your lid may be slightly different though.

 

Looks great. I've been using 20 MM cans for years for all kinds of stuff. As long as it's dry inside when you put the lid on, it will stay dry. In humid climates some dessicant might be a good idea. I bought 17 of them a while back from GL full of 223 brass for $35. I even got a few that were about 4" wider but only one was rust free. I'm saving it for something, just don't know what.