Bought new interior console, now what is this part for? - Diesel Forum

Tom Boles · 02-11-2003, 06:17 PM

In our '99 E350, we have a console over the pumpkin that has the big front flap that drops down with all the plastic nubs on the surface and space for two small cups on the top, upper surface. At an RV show, I saw another stock console, with what looks like a trash bin door, an open bin above and a large top with space for change, 2 big and 2 small cups, another bin and the ash tray. Maybe silly, but I had to have one! (we really missed the fold-out top that was on the console of our old '90 Chateau-it was great for lunch on the road)

Started looking on Ebay and found one for sale. It arrived today and looks way cool.

But.

Inside the trash bin, I found 5 pieces of rubber sheet. Four round pieces are clearly for the bottoms of the cupholders. But the fifth, I don't know. It is a rectangle, maybe 4" by 1.25" with 3 notches, two on one long edge and one one the opposite side.

can anyone tell me what this piece of rubber is for?

Also, does the old console come off with anything other than a careful yank?

Thanks! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Larry M · 02-11-2003, 07:45 PM

Tom,

Don't know what the 99's looked like, but what you described is what is on my '01 shown <font color="red"> HERE</font>. We really like it and if you look at the next pic in that album you can also see the floor console that we have which along with the shelf it and extra shelf works really great for our needs.

Larry

Tom Boles · 02-12-2003, 01:36 AM

Well< I got motivated this evening after my earlier post and took the whole engine cover off to see how the console was attached. Turns out there is a spring clip at the bottom center that holds one of the three mounting posts in place. Push on it, and the whole console comes off.

The new one fits on the same three mounts and everything went back together nicely.

I also noticed that my engine cover was ink stamped in 3/4" letters" "Diesel Ins". The engine side was heavily covered in foil-faced sound deadening insulation. Don't know if that's the way they all are, but my '99 V10 Chateau is!

Finally, on the 5th piece of rubber sheet, I think it fits into the mostly rectangular pocket at the back of the console, under the radio. At least it drops in and does not flop around...

Cheers!

yaric008 · 02-12-2003, 02:01 PM

I think mine is more similar to yours than Larry's is. However, i don't think i have the rubber things you describe. I found it really weird that when i take mine off it has the identification on that back that says, 7.5/Diesel. I'm not sure what happend but for some reason i guess when they first started making them they thought the diesel was a 7.5L or something. Or perhaps it always has been.... and we've just been lead to believe it's 7.3 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], lol.

Tom Boles · 02-12-2003, 04:31 PM

Looked at your pics- Your van looks pretty sharp!
I like the bug deflector. How well does it work & where can I get one!
I also see you have a little thunk in your rear bumper. I have the chrome step bumper and that was where I got my first thunk too! (then I went out and put on the Fresnel lens I had from my first van!

yaric008 · 02-12-2003, 06:17 PM

Well thanks, i try to keep it looking nice.

The bug deflector works well, but we bought it right when that body style first came out, and then soon after they discontinued it. But... i went to the ford site and their van that they are modeling for the new 2003 body style has the same deflector, so i assume they make it again. I can't tell you who makes it or anything like that, since i was only 6 when we got it, heh. But i would think that if it's on the ford website you could find it from there or something.

Also the ding in the bumper... well when first had the truck we were at this church, my dad was fixing an organ (he does that for a living along with tuning pianos for disney), but we went in and there was just the van and another car in the parking lot, when we came out the car was gone and there was a ding in the bumper, so we are pretty sure that crook did it, heh. I want to get it replaced but it's not on my super high priority list.

Also i'll take some new pics of the van soon, when the bug sheild is all buffed out and shinny as glass it looks alot better.

I'm gonna get some new head lamps and a new grille soon too, a 2001 grille perhaps. No one will be able to tell it's a 92 then, cept maybe if they know about diesels.

whotnow · 02-15-2003, 04:41 PM

In the middle bin area (big hole in the front of the console) is a valley just the size you described. It is only about a half inch deep, but that is where the 5th piece came installed from the dealership. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Johnny96 · 02-15-2003, 07:48 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think mine is more similar to yours than Larry's is. However, i don't think i have the rubber things you describe. I found it really weird that when i take mine off it has the identification on that back that says, 7.5/Diesel. I'm not sure what happend but for some reason i guess when they first started making them they thought the diesel was a 7.5L or something. Or perhaps it always has been.... and we've just been lead to believe it's 7.3 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], lol.

[/ QUOTE ]

That probably means it's for the diesel and/or the 7.5 gasser V8--the 460.

PLEASE don't put a 2001 front clip on your van.

yaric008 · 02-15-2003, 11:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
PLEASE don't put a 2001 front clip on your van.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why do you say that, I thought it would make it look nifty, and i think i like the look of the shinny oval better than what's on there.

Johnny96 · 02-15-2003, 11:46 PM

I've seen them in person, and, well, I think that chrome oval looks like a tacked-on thing.

yaric008 · 02-16-2003, 02:26 PM

Ah.. i see.

Clevelandjim · 02-16-2003, 02:32 PM

Tom,

How did you search for console on Ebay. I'd love to have one with that hole for stuff.

Tom Boles · 02-26-2003, 02:13 PM

Hi Jim-

I search for "ford console" or "ford van console". There is a company in the midwest that almost always has them for auction. I got mine from a fellow in I think florida whao has sold 40 or 50 of them. watch the prices carefully on Ebay-sometimes if there is more than one offered, the second one will go for less $$. If you do Ebay much, you understand what I mean.

Have fun!

Clevelandjim · 02-26-2003, 05:31 PM

I bought one for $19 about 10 days ago, but he guy hasn't shipped it. I wonder if I got ripped?

Tom Boles · 02-27-2003, 10:24 PM

Hmmm.

What does he say when you email him?