Refrigerated/Heated Center Console

[Acidmeld]

Heres my writeup for turning your center console into a fridge. I was playing around and figured out how to use the standard a/c system to heat or cool the center console so i thought i'd share what i did.

Step 1: Remove Center Console

Separate and remove the back of the console by pulling at the seam just behind the trash bag holder. Pull off the trim from around the shifter and cupholders. Remove the six 10mm bolts that hold in the console. (2-console box bottom, 2-either side of shifter, 2-front of cupholders) The console will lift up and out.

Step 2: Open duct to interior.

Separate the air duct from the console by removing the 2 screws. You'll see a dust line created by the insulation on the duct. Cut a small square in the box inside of the dust line. This uses the insulation to keep the air from blowing under the console instead of inside it. Reattach the vent to the box and cut the same size hole in the vent thru the hole in the box.

Step 3: Reassemble & Finishing touches

Put the center console back together in the reverse order of disassembly. I used the square of plastic to create a vent cover. I shaved the plastic down a bit and used black duct tape to make a hinge. I then added foam tape to seal the lid.

With the air-conditioning on high and all the vents open the box was able to reach 50° in five minutes. With all the vents closed so all the cold air was blowing into the box it reached 40° in five minutes and sustained 35° constantly.

 

[boondoggle]

That's a cool mod!

 

[Red]

all you need now is some cup holders in the bottom of the console so your drinks don't spill and maybe a sort of hammock device for holding burritos.

That's such an odd mod, I would have never thought to do that.

what made you think of this? drinks for road trips?

 

[Acidmeld]

all you need now is some cup holders in the bottom of the console so your drinks don't spill and maybe a sort of hammock device for holding burritos.

That's such an odd mod, I would have never thought to do that.

what made you think of this? drinks for road trips?

I was thinking of cutting a beer six pack container down to make cup holders but I usually just drink cans or bottles so once they're open they just go in the cup holder out front. I think I'll just put nonspillables in there for now.

I took three road trip this last weekend in all different directions all in the desert. It was so hot the whole time I really just wanted cold drinks constantly ready to go.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Maybe I’m I’m understanding this wrong, but will this impact the vent flow to the rear seats when that’s is on?

 

[rjtoney]

Heres my writeup for turning your center console into a fridge. I was playing around and figured out how to use the standard a/c system to heat or cool the center console so i thought i'd share what i did.

Step 1: Remove Center Console

Separate and remove the back of the console by pulling at the seam just behind the trash bag holder. Pull off the trim from around the shifter and cupholders. Remove the six 10mm bolts that hold in the console. (2-console box bottom, 2-either side of shifter, 2-front of cupholders) The console will lift up and out.

Step 2: Open duct to interior.

Separate the air duct from the console by removing the 2 screws. You'll see a dust line created by the insulation on the duct. Cut a small square in the box inside of the dust line. This uses the insulation to keep the air from blowing under the console instead of inside it. Reattach the vent to the box and cut the same size hole in the vent thru the hole in the box.

Step 3: Reassemble & Finishing touches

Put the center console back together in the reverse order of disassembly. I used the square of plastic to create a vent cover. I shaved the plastic down a bit and used black duct tape to make a hinge. I then added foam tape to seal the lid.

With the air-conditioning on high and all the vents open the box was able to reach 50° in five minutes. With all the vents closed so all the cold air was blowing into the box it reached 40° in five minutes and sustained 35° constantly.

hey do you have any pics of this by chance? Trying to understand the vent cover shaving, hindge and how you added tape to seal the lid.

I need to do this mod for storing medication.

 

[Cezar]

Pretty brilliant. You could also add some insulation.

Another tactic would be to stick a peltier element in there and turn it into an actual fridge. wouldn't be hard to do. Only for use while engine running though as they eat watts.

 

[AuSeeker]

hey do you have any pics of this by chance? Trying to understand the vent cover shaving, hindge and how you added tape to seal the lid.

I need to do this mod for storing medication.

You're probably not going to get a reply, according to his profile he hasn't been on the forum in 2 1/2 years.

 

[armabill]

He got frost bite using it.

 

[fourwd1]

he got frost bite using it.

lmao