Custom overhead "console"
 

Haven't been around in a while but figured I'd show you guys the project I'm doing on my 2000 XJ in hopes that it might help someone else.

Not having enough room in the dash (cd player + CB project coming soon) I decided to build an over head console to hold my 2 meter Kenwood transceiver and a trunking scanner.

I had seen where guys had just inserted sheets of plastic above the headliner and it held the unit in place when using the cb mounts, but I wanted an enclosure to go around them. Since I was going to be mounting two units, I also wanted a little extra reassurance.

I started by getting some 1/8th" thick steel bars from home depot. I cut them to the length necessary to go between the visor retainer clip screws to the drop down bracket under the dome light. I then put a bend in them to match the contour of the headliner. I cut another piece to go between the two visor retainers.

Next I salvaged some plastic from work, I think it's polystyrene. I got lucky and several pieces had 90 degree angles. I cut my shapes after building a mockup and riveted the whole thing together. It's solid. No movement at all.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to find some grey pleather or similar material to match the headliner or the dash. Then I plan on making a face plate of sorts. We'll see how it goes.

I'm also going to have to lower my rear view mirror about an inch.

Looking like a decent start! Looking forward to seeing it completely done.

Lookin' good, u got some skills !

Nice work on that overhead console...
Just make sure that everything you place on it stays in place...

i wanna see it all finished up

Didn't make it to the fabric store yet. Its back on the living room floor waiting to be made pretty.

Add a cover plate at the top and you could mount some switches.

Thats exactly what I'm doing. Getting LED switches from Radio Shack tomorrow.

Here's the view of the whole thing removed from the top.

thats looking pretty sick man.. what kind of fabric are you putting on it?

I'm going to try to find some grey pleather or vinyl that will mimic the dash texture. i think I'm going to put some thin padding under it so bumps from the rivets and seems don't show through. If I can't find anything like that I'm just going to try to match the headliner.

I scrapped the first faceplate I was working on, just wasn't happy with how it was turning out. Might just make it out of sheet metal. We'll see. It's a busy week but I'm trying to make time to finish this project up.

Im sure you know but check your local fabric store, they will have the foam you are looking for.

sweet i cant wait to see what the finished project looks like

this will look great after your done

Damn, I was just sitting in mine the other day wishing I had an overhead console. The fab work seems easy enough to make it happen. Thanks for the DIY. I might have to mock something up very similar.

how do u plan on attaching it to the roof?
or is it pinned in there with the sun thingys and the light?