Custom Overhead console ideas?

[RoundOut]

When I get a mobile radio for the truck, hopefully in the next few weeks, I had an idea of customizing an overhead console that runs from where the garage door opener/sunglass case, map lights, etc. are presently located (between the visors) back about 18" to 2'. I would like it to appear as if it were a factory design. Among the things I would like to locate in the overhead console:

• Faceplate (Removable portion) of HAM radio to be replaced with a blanc that looks like it is unmodified to keep theive's interest low when the truck is parked
• XM Radio/MP3
• Faceplate for (or hidden) CB Radio
• External speaker for HAM and/or CB
• Future accessory switches such as (rear, box, side and overhead lights, master and/or interior control switch for winch, master switch for refridgerator power, master switch for potable water pump/shower, switches for locking differentials, etc.)
• Thermometer for future refridgerator
• Battery guage for future auxiliary battery
• Fuel guage for future auxiliary fuel
• Two sunglasses cases (probably retrofit the factory ones)
• garage door opener (probably retrofit the factory one)
• Hidden (when not lowered) drop down LCD screen (on left side) for backup and/or rock cameras and Nav system and Hidden (when not lowered) drop down LCD screen (on right side) for DVD viewing by passenger
• Possibly a 120 volt outlet from an inverter (or future generator) toward the rear, for some future accessory or battery charger or whatever
• ?
• ?

Because of the contour of the roof, the console may be as much as 2-3" high (read: thick) below the headliner at some points, this may allow for thicker accessories such as radio faceplates, components, or guages to be placed nearly upright in the thicker sections, or angled depending on ergonomics at the time of the final design. I would like to have some insulation between the roof and top of console in case summer heat would adversely effect components. I am thinking that the console may be shaped like a lower case "T" with the top locating where the existing overhead unit is, then the wide part of the T extending beyond that width to the sides, then the longer portion extending back to where the rear seat overhead lights are.

Of course, the accessory switches would be wired to accessories through relays, so this would be a lower voltage/current situation.

A few questions for the experts on this forum...

1. What other items would logically go here, so that ALL of my future electronic mods may have a home, switch, outlet, etc in THIS unit?
2. Would laminated and painted MDF, with a leather or vinyl fabric that matches the interior stretched over it as a facia, be a good . Does anyone have better ideas for the console materials?
3. How does one reconfigure the headliner once an overhead console is installed? I have never worked with headliners, so this will be a learning experience and I don't want to screw it up, LOL.
4. Would insulation be enough, or would a small (quiet) fan be advisable to cool components in the console?

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions and help you can come up with for this mod.

 

[erin]

Was wondering if the Tundra has a dual layer roof, unlike the Tacoma, which is single layer and can make this type of install difficult if you don't want hardware showing on the roof. Might be something to check first, but sounds like a great idea. I wish I had the headroom to do something like this also.

 

[RoundOut]

dual layer roof?

Was wondering if the Tundra has a dual layer roof, unlike the Tacoma, which is single layer and can make this type of install difficult if you don't want hardware showing on the roof.

I don't know yet. Because of the swiss cheese nature of my roof (hailstorm damage that I have not had repaired yet) it will be easy to tell when I drop the headliner. If the hail damage is evident from inside, its only a single piece of sheet metal.

If I utilize existing hard points for the present overhead lights, etc. in the front, and the dome lights in the rear, it should be pretty secure. We had a screen installed for a VCR in a 2000 Sienna we owned, and the installer put a reinforcement across from side-to-side above the facia to offer a more secure hard point than the previous overhead lights were secured to. If the hard points for the rear dome lights are weak, I may do the same thing.

Edit: Check out the size of the hailstones that hit my Tundra in May of last year - oh, and my roof at the casa, too... Can anyone say Tennis Ball? Ouch.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Some ideas


http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=204500

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...tom-0/p-2007505/N-111+600001243+10714/c-10614

http://www.pace-edwards.com/visorsi.asp

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/N-111+600001259/c-10614

 

[RoundOut]

I appreciate the thoughts, but the look I am going for is more of a console with controls than a shelf. When I get it designed, I'll post a pic or schematic drawing.

 

[Grim Reaper]

The way those shelfs are made you can easliy put a face on them. Why I posted them is how they mount. They use the Visor and console to mount so you don't have to trash the headliner. I plan on building something like those forr my truck to put my GPS, CB (or possibly 2M) and swtiches in.

I have a sunroof so I cant run down the center and I like my ovehead maplights on the garnish that hides the mount for the mirror. They are actually effective in my truck. May swap in Red bulbs to help preserve night vision.

 

[RoundOut]

That makes a lot of sense. I especially like the red bulbs idea. Our hiking headlamps have read bulbs and I never thought of using them in the truck in place of whites. Great idea, in fact, that would be a nice addition, since I am custom building this. One could have a pair that are white and a pair that are red.

 

[OutbacKamper]

Here are a few design ideas:

http://www.consoles.com/console_designs.htm

Cheers
Mark

 

[RoundOut]

Thanks, OutbacKamper! That is more like what I had in mind...

I especially like the "t" shaped one...