Console Re-installation Fit Questions

[JZLAJeep]

Been driving around without a console for a couple years, but after getting the flooring in, we are finally ready to put the console back in. Apparently the flooring, despite being ~1/4" thick, is not as thick as the removed carpet and backing. There is a "gap" between the console and the flooring and we have the MJ console (not in great shape, but it's what we've got). Which leads to the following questions:

 

Console attaches with two screws at the red arrows correct?

@eaglescout526's post about a lower boot is timely and we'll have to do that.

 

Here's the gap around the console, particularly on the drivers side of the transmission tunnel (ignore the cross threaded bolt... that will be fixed). We replaced the transfer case shifter bracket from a 97+ Cherokee when working on the transfer case linkage. We thought it was identical to the '89 bracket that came out, but the poor console fit makes us wonder and we need to dig the old one back out and check.

 

Open to any suggestions for closing the gap between the console and the flooring. In hindsight we should have stacked a couple layers of the flooring in the neighborhood of the console, but past that now. Really don't like the idea of the console floating above the floor and only attached by two bolts through the plastic console.

 

Lastly, the "hump" carved out of the front (firewall side) of the console is deeper than is necessary for the transmission tunnel. Is there supposed to just be a gap, or is something supposed to fill that hole?

[eaglescout526]

Wait? My kenworth shift boot find? Haha that is timing. 
 

I’d like to add. I drove chunk today with that fix. No heat nor hot console. 

[JZLAJeep]

6 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Wait? My kenworth shift boot find? Haha that is timing. 
 

I’d like to add. I drove chunk today with that fix. No heat nor hot console. 

Yes, very timely!

 

Hopefully there is still no additional (you'll have enough) heat when Phoenix summer swings around again. 

[eaglescout526]

4 hours ago, JZLAJeep said:

Console attaches with two screws at the red arrows correct

This is correct. 
 

The shift gate for the 4wd may not be the same from the later years. 
 

Course my understanding is all the consoles conform better around the carpet than the vinyl floor. My XJ is the same way with the full console and I’ve just happily ignored it. 

[schardein]

For what it's worth, the transfer case shift gates are the same for all years 1984-2001.  The only difference is the shift pattern between the 231 and 242.

 

It's hard to make a suggestion without seeing it in person.  I see 3 possible options.

1.  Add more padding under the flooring, so when the console is mounted, it will push down against the padding, filling the gap.

2. If there are high spots at some points, carefully grind the bottom of the console for a better fit, which might work in conjunction with #3...

3. Modify the two mounting points to sit a little lower/tighter to the floor.

 

There is a longer mini console, I'm not 100% certain if the longer one was XJ only and the shorter version was MJ only, or it was a year thing?  But perhaps the longer version is shaped a little differently for a better fit on a non-carpet floor?  I don't have a short version on hand to compare.

[GonzoTheGreat]

Can you screw the shift gate down underneath the flooring, so that the vinyl is not pinched down by the screws? That way it sits a little looser and closes the gap to the plastic?

 

Sorry, I don’t remember exactly how my ‘88 was, the center console was pretty destroyed when I got it. But I would imagine if the flooring was a bit less pinched it would hide the gap ok. 

[schardein]

6 hours ago, GonzoTheGreat said:

Can you screw the shift gate down underneath the flooring, so that the vinyl is not pinched down by the screws? That way it sits a little looser and closes the gap to the plastic?

That is a great point.  On vehicles with carpet, the transfer case shift gate is always under the carpet.  I think it should be the same with the rubber flooring.

[JZLAJeep]

14 hours ago, GonzoTheGreat said:

Can you screw the shift gate down underneath the flooring, so that the vinyl is not pinched down by the screws? That way it sits a little looser and closes the gap to the plastic?

Good thought. However, we cut the flooring out around the transfer case shift gate, so there is no flooring in between. Difficult to tell from the photos due to our tight tolerances and excellent craftsmanship. 

[Drahcir495]

On 10/30/2024 at 6:45 PM, schardein said:

There is a longer mini console, I'm not 100% certain if the longer one was XJ only and the shorter version was MJ only

That gap does seem to be and the larger size. I like the ideas given to address this 
 

I’ve never seen that console before . Thanks for sharing that