I don't smoke at all, not even hacked a cig before in my life....

So with that being said, I was wondering what I should do with the useless ashtray in the center console of my 99 xj?

Most people would just cram a docking station for iPods, or put a switching thingy there for different electrical components...

Since I am deaf so I wouldn't need a docking station. And because there's plenty of areas on dashboard and/or overhead consoles for electrical switches....

















Since xj's are sorta cramped in terms of useable storage space, I decided that I ll turn the ashtray into perfectly good storage space because when I fill up other two cup holders with beverages, I had no place to put my pens bolts nuts iPhone, etc and I didn't want to put them in the storage compartment...

First thing I did was to remove the removable ashtray (easy, I know LoL) then popped out the inner part that hold the ashtray. I could see that there's still a part of center console under it supporting the ashtray. Geez. Such a waste of plastic from The factory, IMO.

I dremeled that plastic housing off so I can clear more space inside the hole.

Now I have a clean and open space that I can work with... Measuring was next so I made a cardboard patterns for whatever I needed (top plate, side walls, bottom plates, etc)

With all patterns cut out and aligned perfectly, came next the metal work...

I copied the patterns on the sheet metal and cut them out. Starting with top and bottom pieces. Then I cut out a long strip of metal and then bend them with my temporary bending jig to fit the curves of the top plate. With all pieces cut out and bent... Next was welding them together.

I started with bottom piece first and welded the long strip with bends already on it. Then I simply welded the top to the body.

I then grinded the welds off to make it all smooth and painted it black.

It is currently snugly nested in the void where the ashtray used to occupy.

I added a great and useful storage compartment in my xj .

 

Cleaver idea I like the use of the old housing, looks good

 

There's a hole where the old housing for ashtray used to be... The new compartment is about 40 percent bigger than the old ashtray housing. Some people would just remove the removable ashtray and leave the housing alone but it bother me because of little fins and nooks in there. I couldn't fit anything bigger than my iPhone. Right now I'm able to fit soda cans and bottles in the new compartment. U could say I have three beverage holders now lol

 

Nice.

Nice home made press break.

 

Nice! I like the bending jig, might need to steal that idea!

 

Yup. It was a last minute thing too. I used 3/8 rod to press down because I wanted a 3/8 radius on the corners. U can change different diameters or shapes to suit your needs

 

I would love a little brake like that, although my plans are a little larger... maybe I could just double the size hehe

 

Ha. It isn't even a real brake. It's just an piece of thick angle steel sitting on top of two v-blocks with a piece of rod and a c clamp

 

i smoke and i have never even used the ash try its completely pointless

 

Still a perfect excuse to throw it out and make something to put in the void

 

love the idea might have to take it if you don't mind

 

I Wouldn't put this up if I minded. Go ahead and make one for yourself!

 

Im going to build me one.

 

I thought there was already a "cup" piece in there. I know I use mine all the time as just a open storage bin. I also like having the lid.

that said, always something fun to do on an XJ, huh. I bet if you wanted it too like clean, you could do a little body filler, silicon, or epoxy and such.

 

Yeah I could do that too. Maybe when I run out of other projects to do.

Yes there's already a "cup" there with a lid but there's plenty of fins and obstructions inside that makes the insides smaller. My new container is around 40% bigger than the original cup with lid.