Center console

[glenn]

Gibs - here are the samples. Basically it's a light, a medium, and a dark choice. If you go to the beginning of this thread you can see the wenge on the first prototype.

Quadzilla - absolutely no problem on a lower profile - I suppose you need the elbow room to shift. Now that this one is made, I think I would like a lower one myself. More of a straight line from the top of the shifter to the top of the console. It's not as awkward as it looks in the photos though, the angle of the photo makes it look like I'm contorting my arm a bit to get to the gearshift, but in reality it's quite comfortable.

[mararmeisto]

I like the apparent height in your second prototype, and would like to have one in 'cherry' (now that I see wenge is too dark). Three more questions though:

• 1. would you show the fastenings to the engine cover?
  2. did you solve the issue of having to 'disconnect' the console in order to open the engine cover (could you show a picture of the engine cover open with the console in place)?
  3. would you show the rear compartment hinging arrangement (does it open rearwards or forwards)?

Finally, what would shipping/handling cost for something this size? Is it included in the cost? Extra? Can you ballpark the numbers to Victoria (from Vancouver I imagine)?

[quadzilla]

What is the height of the current model? Still thinking a lower profile unit would be better for the manual, but the proof will be in the numbers!

[glenn]

hello,
I will try to get the first one finished up and photographed this week. I will include photos of the installation procedure - but this is very easy, just unscrew the original one, unplug the the switch, and screw the new one in using the exact same 4 screw locations. The switch pops into the new console without any mods. The engine compartment still opens, same as before. The rear compartment will open the same as the front, hinge at the back for access from the front.

mararmeisto - since you were onboard from the beginning, I can cover shipping - fedex or greyhound.

quadzilla - I am going to make a lower profile unit, closer in height to the factory one. So, there will be two options. The one I have made is about 1.5" higher than the armrest on the door I think.

Hopefully, more pics soon - but, this is busy season for me and time is scarce. And when I make the next one, I will determine a price. While this is what I do for a living, I'm looking to be fair in what I charge - just my shop rate plus materials - no retail markup.

[mararmeisto]

...mararmeisto - since you were onboard from the beginning, I can cover shipping - fedex or greyhound.

Oh, giddy with anticipation!

[quadzilla]

That sounds great - still interested.

[glenn]

Prototype done! It's taken a little longer than I expected, it was more challenging than you might think. I have posted a bunch of photos here including installation instructions. http://picasaweb.google.ca/vurvdesign/D ... erConsole#

I have changed it to have 3 cupholders. One of mine is always filled with my cellphone, ipod and wallet - it makes a great catch all. The two storage compartments are great. I find I often use the back one when carrying something that I don't want to slide around while driving (like 4L of milk) That compartment can be open and you still get a comfortable elbow rest.

Anyway, there will be four options available: Tall (like the one in the pics), and Low profile (yet to be made). And, it can also be made with either two separate compartments (shown) or one large compartment if you want to carry maps and magazines etc in it.

Price is $349 for the one shown, and a little less if you just want the one compartment option.

Next up: low profile version.

[mararmeisto]

Wow - you're pretty good at that estimating thing: only a dollar off!

Email sent - looking forward to delivery.

[glenn]

Here it is in Cherry. This is mararmeisto's console, I test fitted it in my van before I sent it to him.

For anyone who is interested, these ones are $349 as shown. As a small scale manufacturer my busy season is basically over already, so if anyone is interested I can still finish before christmas. It packs a lot of functionality into that space.

I am currently working on a lower profile version, I should have pics by the end of the week.

[mararmeisto]

This took a little longer than it should have, but I wanted to get some idea of the fit before I commented.

After almost a month's use, I really like the Vurv-box (that's what I'm calling it). The height is just right, so much better than the factory console, which is probably a good height for most Asians but is much too low for a 6'2" Caucasian.

The cupholders... oh, the cupholders! As you can see from my pictures I'm continuing to use the one in the vent louvres, but I love the cupholders in the console, where I can reach them, without twisting half-way around. I usually put my cup in the lower one (next to the switches), and Lucienne puts her cup in the one next to the passenger seat. This makes the third one near my elbow the 'junk-holder'.

And finally, the switches: a little bit higher and therefore a bit more reachable; and the contrast between the wood and the plastic makes it much more identifiable, for both of us (many a time we rolled-up the 'wrong' window, much to the consternation of the elbow of the other person).

In the end, worth the money I spent, and it looks a whole lot better than the console I made. While functional, my console was a bit crude.

My console, looking forward. Open compartment on rear edge, cupholders for the rear passengers.

My_centre_console_1257.jpg (75.67 KiB) Viewed 6417 times

Rear compartment accessed through rear lid. Thought about changing around the opening of the lid from front-to-back to right-to-left (for the driver and for the rear passengers so they don't have to reach over the opened lid).

Vurv_console_1283.jpg (81.76 KiB) Viewed 6415 times

Cupholders on the forward edge, open compartment underneath. Essentially took the Mitsubishi console lid off, place my console over top.

My_centre_console_1256.jpg (63.84 KiB) Viewed 6416 times

Matches the dash, the dash tray, the steering wheel.

Vurv_console_1284.jpg (91.29 KiB) Viewed 6415 times

Love the placement of the window switches, and the lower cupholder (good spot for my cup, not in the way of my elbow).

Vurv_console_1285.jpg (72.38 KiB) Viewed 6413 times

[alec]

i just picked one up from glen and it's great!
he even helped with the install and it has been fantastic.

thanks again glen - feel free to post those pics that you took.


alec

[mararmeisto]

i just picked one up from glen and it's great!
he even helped with the install and it has been fantastic.

thanks again glen - feel free to post those pics that you took.


alec

What a difference a nice box makes, eh?

[EnviroImports.com]

Once my L400 gets here, I would love to have you take a look see what ideas you would have for it, its laid out differently with no hump between the front and back, and I would want to keep it as a walk through, but I would like to get your thoughts of the center console under the stereo.


I have a slightly raised floor on mine between the seats as there are some electronics under it and would like to keep them there ,

[quadzilla]

Looks great. How's the low pro version coming?

[glenn]

Quad - Funny you ask. I am finishing it up today, if you are coming out to the meet today, I'll have it with me. This one is yours, if you like it.

Alec and mararmeisto, thanks for the positive feedback on your consoles (dubbed the vurv box by mararmeisto). It's great to hear your enjoying the added functionality, it means a lot me.

Noel - I would definitely be interested in working on something for the L400. I have shifted my opinion of the L400 as they are getting closer. At first, I was all "I like the L300 way more, the L400 looks like a MPV." But, now I realize that the L400 is pretty cool too - much more modern, and they look more refined, less trucky. I look forward to seeing one in the flesh. It does look like there is more freedom inside for mods.

It's like when my second daughter was born - I don't have to divide my delica-love in half to include a second model, I get to multiply it by 2 for the new one.

Glenn