Thread: Cubby Box Modification

Since having the defender for 2 1/2 years I keep finding the centre console too big and difficult to find things. The first thing I did was to wire in the inverter and a spare 12v socket. This 12v socket will charge with the keys out not like the existing dash 12v, very handy. I also wired in a break in the circuit so that I could manually disconnect the inverter and avoid any excessive battery drain if needed.

The raised height with the inverter made the cubby box ideal height for my elbow now, but now meant taller mugs would get in the way with gear changes so the box needed to be moved back a little.

I cut my original cubby box in half, with a hand saw and relined it with the original lining but had to use new black vinyl around the outside. I placed some chocks underneath it so when in place the top of the box would be flat not sloping backwards.

I then made an upper box to sit ontop out of leftover timber. This was then lined with material and covered with black vinyl to match the bottom. This was then hinged to the bottom box. A lid was made but I placed some padding ontop of the lid before covering with vinyl.

This gives plenty of space and is far easier to find things. The only thing left to do is make a small compartment to sit just forward of the drink holder that will be easily removable.
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I just refurbished my county's cubby box too, I made the new one 80 mm higher so I can use it as an armrest, it now has a drawer underneath which serves the rear passengers and the front section holds cd's.
I also made the base about 100mm longer, into this I cut two holes which holds two cups. This overhangs the gearbox tunnel and works perfectly.
I used the original lid and plastic tray and covered the new box in black vinyl, I also have a 12 volt socket in it which is quite useful.

I used 16mm mdf for the construction, screwed and glued together.