Thread: Seeking some advice before starting roof console build

About to start construction on a roof console but looking to clarify a few bits of information first and see what advice might be out there.
Vehicle in question is a 1995 Discovery 1 and will need to conform to Victorian Road Laws as I still need to get it registered down here and don't have a RWC as yet.
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Design I am going for is a large shelf across the front to replace the current one and then a smaller section running between passenger and driver down the vehicle.
As for what will be mounted and stored in there will end up being CB, extra 12volt ports, paperwork as in maps & manuals, just the general crap that seems to fill the glovebox that you want close at hand but dont require all that often, possibly may move stereo up there, maybe mount some speakers up there as for anything else am still seeking advice and planning so open to suggestions.

So have included a couple of photos of what is currently in there which I guess is what comes in it standard quite a nice shelf but not very practical as far as storing anything in it except maybe a few sheet maps and whatnot. I am however wondering what went in/does go in the couple of spaces that I currently have covers on assuming in a more upmarket model or maybe even the rangerover there was a clock or something in there am kind of curious as to what it could be.

Sunvisors will need to be removed to install the shelf and the standard ones will not be able to be replaced as it will be filled with a shelf, however I believe there is some ADR out there about sunvisors so will have to install them on the underside of the shelving if that is the case though they will have to be custom made so as not to be anywhere near as large as the current ones. Can anyone confirm deny or otherwise shed any light onto this one.

Ideas on the foam roof lining as to keep it there or remove it initially I was thinking just cut the front section off and have the foam lining start from behind the shelf but after thinking about it for awhile I thought it is probably better to leave it in and work around it as there is going to be no shortage of storage space up there and will provide abit of noise/heat insulation.

Sharp edges as it is sitting around head height I'm guessing is a big no so they will have to be bent rounded edges and not sharp 90degree corners. Also guessing the transport department would like to see it covered in carpet or similiar instead of just bare aluminum.

As for materials to construct it out of initially 3mm aluminum came to mind as I still have abit laying around from other various projects but I thought that may be abit overkill and was thinking of getting some 1.6mm or 2mm sheeting to construct it out of as I am sure that would be more than strong enough.

I bought one for my Defender,(centre type only) and installed the stereo in it. The problem was, that I couldn't see the display whilst driving without turning my head so far that it was unsafe to do so. The modern stereo head units have multiple functions for each button, and you need to be able to read the screen to know what it is you're adjusting. In the end I took it out, and have left the brain for the UHF up there. (uhf has controls on the mic) The stereo is back where is originally was.
Don.