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Interested?

Would you use an overhead console like this?

  • Yes, and I'll email Mr. McHenry myself!

    Votes: 1 3.8%
  • Yes, but would you tell him about it for me?

    Votes: 15 57.7%
  • Nah - I don't have that much interest in what my engine's doing or that many electronic goodies.

    Votes: 10 38.5%

  • Total voters
    26
  • Poll closed .

5-90

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Hammerspace
I've been playing "electron ping-pong" with Mr. Josh Henry at Tuffy Security Products about an idea I had, and here it is in a nutshell...

I've been thinking (for a while!) about an "eyebrow" housing/shelf/whatever to go just above the viewline of the driver, right on top of the windscreen, with the following specifications:
Mount switches for accessories - up to 5x2 pattern. Leave room for "covered" switches (aircraft-style)
Mount up to six accessory gages, either automotive round or aircraft 2.25"/3.125" - at least, provide room for same and use hole saw for optional changes - above driver's line of sight (minimum four)
Mount one or two standard DIN-chassis two-way radios (think CB/HAM)
Room underneath for mounting map or utility lights.
Material may be steel (coated/finished) or aluminum (finish optional) Should be paintable by user for colour-matching

That's the basic idea of the project, but I'm always open to suggestion. Mr. McHenry told me that a minimum "first-run" interest would be 20 to 25 units, but more is of course better. I know I'd be good for one - two or three depending upon price - but what about the rest of you? If we can show enough interest, it would make the project A) more likely and B) probably cost less.

If you want to email Mr. McHenry directly, you may do so at <[email protected]> but I'd put to his attention in the subject line to make sure he gets it. It would probably also help to refer to his discussion on the subject with me (Jon Kelley) to keep it in mind. Or, you can email me and I'll amass the messages and send them to him myself. If you email him directly, please cc: me at [email protected] so I can see how many he's getting.

5-90
 
i dunno id wanna see a picture or a blue print first, kinda sounds like it would be fairly big and hang down infront of the windsheild quite a bit, also will the sun vizors still work
 
I like the idea.. make it look kinda like a ****pit with all the switches and junk on the ceiling. Could you add an LCD screen that could be wired into the PCM that would display all the parameters that the oem overhead console shows? (dte, mpg, eta, compass, temp, etc)
 
Yeah, flying is what got me addicted to lots of gages in the first place!

My conception of this thing is something that:
Goes full-width across and over the windscreen
Is about 4" deep from the headliner board
Will accept the sunvizors on the bottom, like most aftermarket "shelves" that go up there...
Has room for 4-6 gages starting at the A-pillar, has 5-wide by 2-high switches after the gages, and the one or two DIN chassis hardpoints after that. That should put everything within reach of the driver and front passenger, and the gages right within the driver's Line of Sight.
The gages to be installed are at the option of the buyer, so whatever you want can go in there. If you want to check out some combination gages or status indicators, try Wicks Aircraft Supply or Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. - both are online. I have both catalogues on my bookshelf next to all my tech stuff, and there's some really neat ideas in there for additional gages...
My only restriction on the switches - ok, two - are that there must be enough room for switch covers if needed (I like to use covers on my light controllers and overrides) and there should be a "locator" tang in the switch hole (it's about 1/16"x1/16", and keeps the switch from turning.) There are specialised punches available for making the hole with the tang, but they're about $200 and therefore out of reach of the hobbyist - but a production show can absorb the cost over the first 50 units or so without too much trouble...

Sorry I don't have any pictures, but I haven't drawn anything on this (yet - I've got other drawings to do as well) and since I'm no graphic artist, these things will be pen-and-ink drawings and I'll have to find a scanner afterwards... Still, you should get the basic idea from here.

5-90
 
5-90 I have one of those Shelf-It brand overhead shelves in my xj now, and I had thought of doing something similar by modifing it. There is not much room between the shelf and the head liner, but with thoughtfull planning things will fit. The hardest part will be the din slot for a radio or scanner. being that they come in several sizes you might be able to include a trim plate for the popular sizes. Also there is only about an inch between the shelf and the headliner at the wind-shield side. I went out and measured the height from the bottom of the visors to the top of the door trim on my 2000, and it stuck down about 3 1/2 inches. In my opinion that is all the lower I would want it to be. Because it is anoying when trying to see traffic lights at that mesurment. I will get a pic of it when i get some new juice for the camera. Don't think I'm trying to discouarge you, just trying to give a few thoughts for starting. I think it's a good idea. If you decide to go with this keep your progress up so we might make suggestions leading to the best design.
 
at a minimum, i just need a few more places to stash stuff when i empty my pockets as i get strapped in, but a CB mount and some switches for air lockers, and some aftermarket guages would be cool too. I don't know if I'd drop $200 for it, unless it had that LCD feature too.

Flip down 7" LCD with dvd player? just kidding.
 
I'd have to say no.

Not because, as you put it, " I don't have that much interest in what my engine's doing."

But because it won't work with a cage nor would it be element-proof (half a roof and frequent wash downs with the hose).

Not a bad idea for a stocker, though.
 
It would be a cool thing to have, but I would think that headroom would be a major factor. With my Corbeau seats and the brackets for them, my head brushes against the roof. Being 6'2'' doesnt help, but I would hate to have to look under a huge shelf with a CB in it. I would also see myself hitting my head on it while bouncing around in the Jeep.
 
I would have to say no... more than likely getting this made would cost a pretty penny. I would just as well make my own with cetain features I would like in it and save a great deal. Having a shelf with a buncha holes that would need to be filled up would not look so great unless all the gauge holes were used. Then, if you live with the opening, if you want to add gauges later, sounds like you'd have to take the whole thing down. Plus I'ma tall guy, with a console hangin down even just a few inches like that, I'd hate to guess on how I'd see when the stoplight turns green :) . IMHO
 
id love to have one

any knowledge as far as price?
-Ranger
 
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