Manual Transmission Console Opinions?
 

I've got a 1995 XJ with the AX 15. The square shift boot in the console is messed up. I really don't like the console that much. I'd like to have the space directly under the dash for ham radio stuff, rather than the little cubby hole. I noticed that under the square rubber shift boot there's carpet.

I think I'd like to remove the console all the way back to the box that covers the housing for the emergency brake and serves as an armrest and storage area. That, I'd like to leave. What I'd really like to do is rebuild another box out of metal that i can lock solid where I can keep my pistol when I go into places that I can't carry. But for now, I'd leave the original.

Have any of you done this? I know it can be done, but before I do it, I was wondering if anyone else had done it and if they had any advice on what might be better. By looking at it, I think I can take all of the console off and maybe cut out a new piece that would cover the front of the e-brake housing and screw it on.

Anyway, I'm probably going to try to do it, but was wondering if anyone else had done it and what they thought.

I'm not gifted enough to pull off any metal work like a console but there's plenty of space to work with and it's a great mod to pursue - keep us posted.