Pretty good idea for console for Intermediates

OK been pondering this for a while, and I think I finally came up with a practical, economical and, most importantly, secure solution to a console on my 75 CJ5...see link below:

http://www.ammolock.com/store.html

I bought two Fat 50 ammo cans locally in pristine condition from an army surplus store for ten bucks each. Ordered the locks from above site and asked if they could be identical keyed locks...we'll see when they arrive.

One of these babies fits perfectly between the seats and I plan on bolting from the bottom up for security reasons. The other will be bolted to the top of the first. Total height of both should be about 17 inches, which is about perfect for an armrest. I figure a little plywood,.vinyl and foam with velco strips to secure should make for a comfortable armrest.

OK...that gives you two locked 'safes' that are easily accessible. The bottom would be for tools, winch equipment, chain, etc.......things you don't need on a regular basis but are there when you need them.

The top 'safe' is for daily items such as cell phone, sunglasses, maps, flashlight, Ipod....things you need easy access to. On the back of this one I plan on installing two cupholders.

The best part about this set-up is the fit. I couldn't believe how well these two, when stacked on top of each other, fit in between the seats; looks like it was custom made ! Plus these babies are heavy-duty and gasketed so they will remain dry inside.

I plan on doing a little prep work for painting and then spray them with the factory Mellow-Yellow. Should look pretty good and be extremely functional.....I'll post some pictures as work progresses.......

Suggestions are welcomed !!

 

Looks like a good idea!

 

Bah! They stole my idear! Actually I do have a 50 cal can with pretty much exactly that dealio on it. Made it from a 1/2" bolt, just turned it down on the lathe, milled a couple of flats and drilled it for the lock. Only thing you have to do is drill a 1/2" hole in the ammo can.

I may as well reveal my other ammo can idea, someone's probably already marketing it anyhow.... I cut out a section in the can part to allow for a desk lock arm to go into. Turn the desk lock, and the arm goes sideways and keeps the handle from coming up. Only drawback is that it's not as watertight as the bolt idea.

Now, about that tinfoil hat.....

 

Here's a couple of shots as work progresses.The two ammo cans are bolted together and facing opposite directions. This is due to not being able to open both of them if they both faced forward because of the seat support. Actually this works out better !!

Picked up a nice piece of scrap vinyl and high-density foam from an upholstery shop (free !!!...I might get him to redo my seats when funds are available.) Bottom piece of wood lifts the bottom can enough to open/close it ...Three holes were drilled in floorboard and this baby ain't going nowhere with carriage bolts from the bottom up.

Little bit of cleanup and paint prep on the cans and should be receiving the locks this week. Hope to finish up next weekend...Seems like its going to be very practical and secure....

BTW...couldn't find a decent cupholder that suited me, so I made one out of 16gauge steel that will bolt to the rear of the console...

 

Finished the console project!!

Paint came out pretty good with just a Preval sprayer.

Should be very functional and it will be nice to have something to rest my arm on between shifting. Beaucoup storage/lockable and using the ammo-cans kinda' fits in with the Jeep history !!

 

What a great idea.

Looks good.

 

Looks good.

 

I noticed in a couple of your pictures a bolt, lock washer and nut locate in the lower portion of the bottom ammo can. What is the purpose?

 

The carriage bolt that is protruding from the front of the lower box (which faces backwards) is one of the mounting bolts. Originally, I just planned on two bolts from the bottom, but once installed the console was still a tad wobbly. By adding this bolt it really stabilized the console and now it is rock-solid.

 

What did you insert into the metal bracket of your drink holder?

 

Its a drink holder primarily used on boats, designed to fit into a cutout in fiberglass. You can find them at marine stores for about $2.00.

 

guys....just wanted to wrap up comments on this project.

This was a very easy solution to storage and security issues in my jeep. That little glovebox didn't hold much and since it didn't lock, you couldn't leave anything of value in it if you wanted to make a run to the store. I won't have to worry about that anymore !

The console 'stole' the location where my flashlight was located and in looking for an alternative, decided on the top lid of the console. Easy to get to and, at night, just cut on the light and you have illuminated the contents of the top box !! Cool !

Also, during construction, I managed to inadvertantly slide one of the lids off completely . Didn't realize that was possible. Makes it easier to work on the individual pieces, as far as drilling, painting, etc. Also, top box can be removed completely and just use the top box lid on the bottom box...pretty neat !

Last but not least, the cupholder when not occupied, makes a dandy place to store the seat belt latches. Makes them easy to find. Also its a good place for cellphone, handy and protected in foam coozie.

If you have an Intermediate, and are debating on a store-bought console or fabricating one yourself, I say go this route. Total cost....about $75.00.....

 

good job

 

Great idea!