Roof console to suit Defender 130 twin cab ?

[VladTepes]

Having purchased a Defender 130 twin cab I am considering putting in a roof console primarily as a place to mount radio/s (UHF and space to eventually put in an HF unit) and also odds and ends storage.

The manufacturers web sites I have found are:

RoNo Consols Australia, 4x4, Truck, Custom Made Consoles & Door Pockets (http://www.ronoconsoles.com.au)

Department of the Interior Car Consoles & 4WD Storage Drawers overhead consoles roof consoles custom built consoles 4WD interiors dashboard restorations storage systems vehicle consoles radio console dashboard repairs dashboard pod four wheel drive (http://www.consoles.com.au)

OUTBACK 4WD INTERIOR ACCESORIES (http://www.4wdinteriors.com)


I'm more interested in the ones that run down the centre of the car rather than the across the front ones, as being a tall bloke I don't want to restrict any of the upper part of the windscreen which I look through !

I'd be interested in anyones experiences good and bad regarding roof consoles of this sort, and naturally any tips are appreciated.

Also if anyone happens to have one for sale, let me know !

[defender90]

this is a pic of the outback console in the 90 if thats any help:)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/02/218.jpghttp://www.aulro.com/afvb/%5Burl=http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/6416%5D%5Bimg%5Dhttp://www.aulro.com/app/data/500/thumbs/015.JPG%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D

[UncleHo]

G'day Vlad :)

Glad that you got the 130:D is it a 300 or a TD5??

There is a console that is advertised in the Dec 07 Landrover Enthusiast Mag. it shows a pic of a centre console that takes radios cb's side by side, and is recessed into the lining, it is by Equipe4x4 in Italy and available through LRSoffroad:) LRS Offroad The Home of EXTREME offroading (http://www.lrsoffroad.co.uk) ;) not cheap but looks the goods picture on page 95 of December 07 LRE magazine

cheers

[VladTepes]

Thanks Defender 90.

UncleHo - 300Tdi, and I am also considering the MUD consoles (I have posted in that thread too).

Cheers
Vlad.

[numpty]

Not sure of the brand, so it may be one you've mentioned, but we were looking at one in TJM which looked really good also. would be worth a look.

[Larry]

Are you handy with a jigsaw Vlad? You could make one to fit your radios etc where you want them, rather than where others think they shoud be.:(

A LOT cheaper too.:eek:

[UncleHo]

G'day Vlad :)

I think that Incisor has a MUD console wrapped around his gear lever:) you will have to bring it up to show everybody:D must be about B B Q time;)

cheers

[VladTepes]

Are you handy with a jigsaw Vlad? You could make one to fit your radios etc where you want them, rather than where others think they shoud be.:(

A LOT cheaper too.:eek:

Larry - how do you mount the radios and everything in it ? ie what lurks behind that (ply?) fascia ?

I dont suppose you made templates, constrcution and fitting instructions while you were doing that one up ? (Well, gotta ask!)

[Larry]

Whan I get a chance, I'll take a pic with the back off and you can see all.:D

[hiline]

mine is the same as defender90 is :D


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/02/209.jpg


good for the 130 as it gives you lights in the rear ;)
but you will have to cut your sun visors down
you can just make it out in the pic

[Outlaw]

See if you can get a bulk discount Vlad... i know a couple here on the coast interested in a console ;)

[Larry]

Larry - how do you mount the radios and everything in it ? ie what lurks behind that (ply?) fascia ?

I dont suppose you made templates, constrcution and fitting instructions while you were doing that one up ? (Well, gotta ask!)

Vlad, the radios are screwed directly to the base. I started with a cardboard template, taking into account the size & location of the radios etc.

Once you are happy with the profile (it may take a while) you cut two pieces of plywood that shape, a base, rear and front the required size.

The bottom of the side panels are screwed to some alloy angle which is then screwed to the base. The same with the front & rear.

In the pics, you can see a metal strap going from side to side, this is screwed to the inside of each side front & rear. The rear mounts to where the plastic plugs are on the join in the hood lining. Two large self tapping hex head screws replace the plugs. At the front, it mounts to the two bolts that hold the interior light in place.

Some vinyl over it with some wadding underneath in case you bump your head on it, & staple it to the inside. *A tip, don't put any wadding where screws will go through the vinyl. The screw WILL grab the wadding & pull it out before you realise it.:mad:

Fit the radio, speakers & such, with the Co-ax & power coming out through the light hole, & when it is in position the front & rear panel go on & bingo, you're done.:arms:

Oh, and you don't have to cut your sun visors.;)

[matbor]

looks good larry, what sort of weight do u think these roof consoles could hold before they become dangerous or do damage too the roof ?

[rocket scientist]

Great work Larry

how did you mount it to the roof???

[Larry]

Great work Larry

how did you mount it to the roof???

In the pics, you can see a metal strap going from side to side, this is screwed to the inside of each side front & rear. The rear mounts to where the plastic plugs are on the join in the hood lining. Two large self tapping hex head screws replace the plugs. At the front, it mounts to the two bolts that hold the interior light in place.

[Larry]

looks good larry, what sort of weight do u think these roof consoles could hold before they become dangerous or do damage too the roof ?
Yet to find out.:angel::D

[VladTepes]

I'm thinking that as I will have a MUD POD that I can put the bulk of stuff in there. I might make up a little console for the top to hold just the UHF and some lights and maybe a sunglasses holder or two. Then I could make a big overhead console down the track if required.

Speaking of which - anyone know what cars had those overhead opening-down sunglasses storage thingies - ones that are flat bottomed (ie don;t follow a roof curvature?)

[VladTepes]

LARRY: What's the metal strap thingys that you used to hold to the roof ?

EVERYONE:


anyone know what cars had those overhead opening-down sunglasses storage thingies - ones that are flat bottomed (ie don;t follow a roof curvature?)

[rick130]

I<snip>

Speaking of which - anyone know what cars had those overhead opening-down sunglasses storage thingies - ones that are flat bottomed (ie don;t follow a roof curvature?)

GU Patrol has one of those. It's incorporated with the map reading lights.

[VladTepes]

Larry et al:

I notice when I press my hoodlining that it is quie a bit lower than the actual roofline. Obviously the 'cardboard' lining doesn't sit right up against the roof. ?
I presume that with your console this had the added effect of pushing the lining against the roof.

I ask because this will affect the template and actually means i have more headroom than i thought I had.

[Larry]

G'day Vlad,

Yes, the lining does push up a bit, but I didn't want to go too far as it may leave a permanent dent in it. If that doesn't worry you, push it up hard against the roof.:D
The metal strap is just a larger version of what you get with an after market stereo to support the rear of the radio. Something soft enough to bend to shape, but not too soft that the weight of the console straightens it out.

As I said before, you will spend more time on the design & template than you will making it.
It's worth it though, apart from the $$$ saved, the satisfaction of doing it yourself is great. I'm still getting compliments when people see it.:clap2:

[VladTepes]

So if you didn;t press it all the way against the roof, you must have used some really long screws ??

[Larry]

So if you didn;t press it all the way against the roof, you must have used some really long screws ??

Yep, I took the plastic plugs that came out to the hardware store & got some coach bolts the same size.:eek: Went straight in.:D

[abaddonxi]

Larry et al:

I notice when I press my hoodlining that it is quie a bit lower than the actual roofline. Obviously the 'cardboard' lining doesn't sit right up against the roof. ?
I presume that with your console this had the added effect of pushing the lining against the roof.

I ask because this will affect the template and actually means i have more headroom than i thought I had.

Does that mean your roof lining is sagging?

Cheers
Simon

[VladTepes]

and where did you get the metal strip stuff from / whats it called ?

[Larry]

and where did you get the metal strip stuff from / whats it called ?

Don't know what it's called,I just had a bit in the scrap metal box. Your local hardware should have something that would do the job.

Sorry to be so vague.:angel:

[streaky]

I had one of those OutBack Consoles in my 130...they are quite pricey but I think really look the part as well as being functional.
The roof skin has a fibre glass 'hat section' channel support going across the width of the cab. Instead of using the supplied self tappers to support the console I used 4 x 6mm threaded rivets and screws instead. These are much better at supporting the weight.

When I sold the 130 I removed the console and will try to make it fit the Discovery instead. I wish I knew what was behind the roof lining of a 3 door Discovery? Ideas anyone?

[EchiDna]

equipe make a roof console that goes inside a hole in the rooflining and sits flush with the lining after installation. holds a radio and a stereo head unit etc...

hmm now to find a pic of it...http://www.lrsoffroad.co.uk/images/products/215__big.jpg

[VladTepes]

Got a bigger picture ?

Looks like a good idea but I bet it's expensive.

[dullbird]

mmmmmmmmmm not sure if i like that it looks unfinished:o......

very fitting maybe for a defender;)

[VladTepes]

Larry

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/general-chat/6966d1203585046-roof-console-suit-defender-130-twin-cab-img_2778.jpg
Can you tell me what the length of your console (as per the template) is ?

[Larry]

Overall length = 700mm, height = 140mm.:thumbsup: