Console & Dash Table
The key to using a vehicle with a small interior is organization. Especially when the interior is going to be over run with equipment, particularly around the cockpit area. Unfortunately the old Defenders were not particularly well designed in this regard.
To overcome this short coming, we designed and built two items to help us out. The first was a new top section for the centre console. The Land Rover console lid was made from plastic and was essentially just an armrest. We replaced that part of the original console with one fabricated out of baltic birch plywood that we Rhino lined. It gave us an arm rest, cup holder, extra storage bin and flat area onto which we could sit maps etc.
The second addition was an actual table that was connected to the dashboard itself. This gave us a work area and platform onto which we mounted a GPS unit.
You can look at the photos below individually with the descriptions, or open a "picture only" slideshow here.
Console Build Sequence
The first step was to develop the shape of the arm rest lid. It had to fit in between the new Recaro seats we installed, but then expand in width at the front to offer a comfortable position for the actual arm rest. The cup holder location also had to be optimized.
On the underside of the lid we needed to install magnets so the lid wouldn't bounce open when travelling over rough terrain. The magnets also kept the lid closed when the entire upper section was lifted up to 90º to access the storage area underneath.
A close up of the magnets that were set into the wood and held there with epoxy glue.
This is the underside of the entire arm rest box assembly. On the left are the screws that will hold the piano hinge, and on the right there can just be seen a cutout area for fingers to get under the assembly and lift it up.
The box is quite roomy. We used an ABS sewer coupling for the cup holder socket. The visible screws are where the steel magnet slugs will get fastened.
A closeup of the cup holder.
The hole in the lid is the precise size for our favourite cups, and lines up perfectly with the socket underneath.
Once Rhino lined, we attached an emergency knife to the underside of the lid.
With the entire upper box section lifted up, we can access the original Land Rover console storage underneath. By making this upper box, we over doubled our storage space in the console.
I bought a small amount of upholstery leather from a local shop and made the two arm rest pads to finish off the project.
Table Build Sequence
The dashboard table was also made from 3/4" baltic birch plywood. The shape fits around the dash profile, and the V-notch in the middle is to provide clearance so the driver can reach past the gear shift handle to get at the transfer case controls.
The edging is made of 1/8" x 1.5" aluminum flat bar that I hand bent to fit the table shape.
The wood brace on the left side is to provide a knee rest for the driver. It helps to provide more secure pedal control when driving offroad.
A closeup of the joinery.
The attachment points that hold the table to the dashboard.
The edging is held on with countersunk wood screws that were sanded level with the flat bar. The screwdriver holes were filled with hot glue and shaved off so when the Rhino liner was applied it didn't sink into the recesses. This provided a smooth uniform finish.
The finished table with the GPS base, CB mic and seatbelt cutting implement.
Underneath there is the connection box for the CB radio antenna. The post on the left is the table support that goes down to the floor.
On the passenger side we put a strip of Velco so we can hold pens and pencils in place there.
The finished table in place with the GPS unit installed. Later this was replaced with an iPad using the MotionX GPS program.
The finished cockpit. A very pleasing solution.