Center Console Removal

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Ahhh, the Center Console. Just looking at it can be intimidating. To think that you are about to remove (or at least make a valiant attempt!) in this area can be a, well a challenge.

No problem! Really! Just takes about 36,769,437 steps and your 'in there' (just kidding - lol). Let's just see what it really takes...

First off, I found it easier to remove the Front Seats first. This left me with plenty of room to move around in the cabin with (not to mention that if I dropped something - I could easily retrieve it!).

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After the Front Seats have been removed, I choose the knee panels next. You should find that the Drivers Side is held in by 2 bolts (one at end of the shelf) capped with acorn nuts. Once you get these out, look up under the upper portion of the shelf - you should see 2 more slightly larger acorn nuts. On the Passenger Side, you should find relatively the same hardware holding things in place. However, there is a controller box here (this little black box patchs thru the signals to nearly all of your exterior lighting) that you will need to unplug first. Carefully wiggle these trays out of the way and set them off to the side in a safe place (hey...they ARE expensive to replace!). Place all of the hardware you removed in a baggie and label it.

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Next I removed the carpeted panels that are installed along each side of the tunnel. Mine were held in by 2 trim screws on each side. After these panels have been removed, you should be able to see the Center Console Aft mounting hardware. (Did I mention the baggie thing?)

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The Glove Box is a good candidate for removal next. Open the glove box door and carefully the 3 bolts holding the door in place. Rotate the door arms such that you remove them from the housing itself. Locate the door latch on the roof of the housing and remove the 2 phillips screws that hold it in place. Place all the hardware in another baggie and label. Now you should be able to carefully remove the glove box from the dash. As you pull it toward you, notice that the light is connected to the wiring that disappears deeeeeep under the dash. Locate and disconnect the connector. Remove the Glove Box housing out a bit more and carefully remove the Air Conditioning hose from the right side of the housing.

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Remove the Center vent (if you haven't already, details can be found in The HVAC System page for detailed information). Once the vent cover is off, remove the 2 screws holding it to the dash. Also, look inside the Glove box area and locate the screw holding the Center Console on the left side. Remove this fastener as well. While you're at it, go ahead (if applicable) and remove the mounting screws on the aft end of the Center Console. Place all fasteners in another baggie and label for future reference.

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Now remove the Shifter handle (Automatics please...I have no Manual experience so I'm writing what I know).

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I then pulled my rear AC controller panel (for non-rear AC models...please skip this mundane operation). Pull the knobs off first. Behind them you should find some mounting screw type heads. Remove them. This is easily done using a small - medium standard screw drivers as a twisting point for the fastening heads. Save the heads and place them in another baggie with the controller knobs and label.

Now you should be ready for some minor electrical work. Locate the connectors for the radio, cigar lighter and miscellaneous items like the clock, etc. and disconnect.

Well, now we're down to the the final steps - carefully lift the Center Console Aft and Up. Carefully look for any connections that we may have missed and correct/disconnect them (hey...I got an idea - why don't you note them and let me know so we can update this page ehhh???)

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Hope this helps-