Build a Jeep Wrangler Overhead Console for Equipment

Heh heh ... I had to use that as a title.

I am curious about head room though. It's hard to tell from the images and I was wondering how all of these devices affect head room for a tall guy like yourself. They seem above the windshield, so I'm guessing vision is fine (as you stated), but what about actual space in which to move your head? Can you still go on a bumpy off-road ride and not worry about smashing your forehead in to your CB equipment?

Nice article, btw.

I really love this. I think a lot of the military guys here can relate, as we've all "pimped" our HMMWVs out to some degree. I was in 4th Infantry Division, so we had FBCB2 (Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below) and MTS (Movement Tracking System) on board, and neither was situated ideally so a lot of people moved them. My BC actually removed the batteries and battery mounts and moved them to the rear seat and dropped the front seat down a few inches because he was a big guy. Lots of people installed armored vehicle dome lights and I even know a few who modified their SINCGARS radios to work with the armored vehicle crewmember helmets so they could keep their hands free and not have to fuss with a hand mic.

I've been meaning to do the same with my personal vehicles, and this gives me a lot of great ideas. I've been very reluctant to do anything permanent to the vehicles so far, so most of my stuff so far has been pretty tame in comparison. I've mounted my cell phones in cup holders using Cell Cup. I've mounted my iPod with iSqueeze, and used various 12V splitter/extension cords. Obviously this has also caused me some serious problems with temporary beverage storage on the road, which is ironically the original design purpose for the cup holders... I've also used the hanging bag-things my kid's portable DVD players come with to hang the DVD players on the seat backs for them. At least routing power cables for them is a real priority because everyone tripping on the damned cables everytime they dismount the vehicle is a pain. I really want to mount a GPS system, computer, and some other stuff, but again, don't want to cut my console or anything like that and like to have my stuff modular and removable to avoid theft, damage, etc.

I also liked your use of the computer for onboard diagnostics, and I would like to use something like that in conjuction with a GPS to make a much better "trip computer" that will give you better "miles to refill" info and put it on your map.

Mercedez is also coming out with a RADAR system mounted on the rear corners of your vehicle to give you a warning if something is in your blind spot and one to the front for an active cruise control. It wouldn't be tough to add this stuff yourself, which I'm hoping to do myself.

Anyway, your article was great, and it gave me some ideas on how I can bring some of this stuff I want to do to fruition. Thanks!

I've always been disturbed by the way I attached the power lead into the Jeep's fusebox. Fellow TJ owners at JeepForum pointed out just the device I had been looking for. Instead of wrapping the wire around the fuse and jamming it back in - use a fuse tap. They are available from Napa auto parts and cost about $18. The part number is 782-2226 for reference.

I noticed you mounted the satellite antenna inside the Jeep on top of the rack. Is the reception compromised with the antenna being inside the vehicle? Looks like you have a fiberglass top installed on your Wrangler. Do you notice any difference in reception with the top on or off? The reason I asked is I just purchased a XM unit to attached to my Sony radio/CD unit and the instructions are specific that optimum performance would be achieved by mounting the antenna on a 12" X 12" metal surface. (on the roof)

I prefer to mount the antenna inside the vehicle for obvious reasons but don't wont to compromise reception.

Thanks!

I noticed you mounted the satellite antenna inside the Jeep on top of the rack. Is the reception compromised with the antenna being inside the vehicle? Looks like you have a fiberglass top installed on your Wrangler. Do you notice any difference in reception with the top on or off? The reason I asked is I just purchased a XM unit to attached to my Sony radio/CD unit and the instructions are specific that optimum performance would be achieved by mounting the antenna on a 12" X 12" metal surface. (on the roof)

I prefer to mount the antenna inside the vehicle for obvious reasons but don't wont to compromise reception.

Thanks!

I have been trying to figure out the best way to get my CB mounted in my jeep. I didn't want to buy the pre-made expensive ones :(.

So I figured I would try this out. It worked well for me.

The 60" self track was too wide so it had to be cut down to size. I ended up cutting it to about 51 inches. Then angled the ends so it ended up looking a bit like this /______\ so it follows the roof line inside a bit.

I also took out two slots on each side (the 1st and 3rd), leaving the 2nd slot in place. This worked really well to thread the hose clamps though.

My next challenge is getting a new cb antenna and mount it behind the spare tire. Still researching the best way to do that.

Overall a great article - heck I was able to follow it and set everything up in an afternoon.

Great project. My only concern / sugestion is the wire size you are using. 22 gage per the awg chart is rated at .92 amps. I would recommend using at least 14 gage to the terminal block. Also pick up a 8-position jumper from radio shack and a 6 position barrier strip to eliminate the need to make wire jumpers.