Console Cooler Conversion

[JMT]

What about insulating the gaps between the inner console and outside molding, that you see..stuff it full of insulating material to slow down the heat, and while the console is out thermo mat the floor board under the console..itll save you space inside the console while your saving space outside..lol

Great idea. Every inch counts they say! I could easily spray foam it. Thermo mat too. I see a plan coming together

 

[ThatsilverTJ]

Great idea. Every inch counts they say! I could easily spray foam it. Thermo mat too. I see a plan coming together

That would get you 6-8 beers.. I mean waters instead of 4

 

[JMT]

That would get you 6-8 beers.. I mean waters instead of 4

Everyone knows what we’re talking about here, right, beer cooler.

 

[ThatsilverTJ]

Everyone knows what we’re talking about here, right, beer cooler.

Yeah,at least that's what popped in my head.lol

 

[ThatsilverTJ]

If you insulate it well their will be no need for a drain hole, just use the plastic ice packs that freeze, that way it can still be used as a console while not wheeling or when it's not neccessary.aslo no hole drilled into your floor, water + jeep = fuck rust

 

[Kiwi TJ]

I have used a couple of these on shorter trips inside the centre console..

but they don't last too long..insulation is key..

 

[ac_]

Just my 2 cents. I think if you feel value in it give it a shot and don't listen to anybody, but the fact that it is not insulated and sitting over your trans tunnel, I don't really see it being a viable solution especially for the size. You really can't keep much in it. I think you would be better off with a cooler that is the same size if you can stash it behind your back seat like you planned before. Seems like a better plan, Especially if you get a soft one like you posted to me earlier. That can save space especially because you can squish it. I think @EJD made a good point with his Twix. I know no matter how much is you put in you probably wont get 5 hours unless you can seal it up tight.

Just today my Tj was in the garage. It was 100 degrees out but my TJ was 114 inside. That wasn't even the center console sitting over the trans tunnel. My guess would be that even if you could insulate it, and seal it, and put dry ice in it, the room you would finally have left wouldn't be enough for your needs. That is just some things I have been thinking about it, but I do like your drive, and would be very curious if you did decide to do it, what you came up with and how viable it was.

Even if you did figure out the cats meow, and I was able to adopt it. I really need the console for my junk. I mean if I took my junk out of the console to make a cooler, I would have to put my junk in a cooler somewhere else.

I think it is a cool idea, but I don't have the same vision, but am curious nonetheless.

Keep us posted if you decide to go forth!

 

[JMT]

When I get a bit of a weekend I’m going to take some measurements, get some materials and give it a go. As @ThatsilverTJ concluded, no need for a drain hole and it would just make a mess and probably cause rust. I’ll do a write up when I get to it

 

[Stockli]

I figured spray foam, then a thin layer of that spray rubber crap.

That’s how I envisioned mine JMT

For a drain hole I was going to epoxy a vinyl hose into the bottom and run it below the tub to,drain outside to the street

 

[JMT]

Just my 2 cents. I think if you feel value in it give it a shot and don't listen to anybody, but the fact that it is not insulated and sitting over your trans tunnel, I don't really see it being a viable solution especially for the size. You really can't keep much in it. I think you would be better off with a cooler that is the same size if you can stash it behind your back seat like you planned before. Seems like a better plan, Especially if you get a soft one like you posted to me earlier. That can save space especially because you can squish it. I think @EJD made a good point with his Twix. I know no matter how much is you put in you probably wont get 5 hours unless you can seal it up tight.

Just today my Tj was in the garage. It was 100 degrees out but my TJ was 114 inside. That wasn't even the center console sitting over the trans tunnel. My guess would be that even if you could insulate it, and seal it, and put dry ice in it, the room you would finally have left wouldn't be enough for your needs. That is just some things I have been thinking about it, but I do like your drive, and would be very curious if you did decide to do it, what you came up with and how viable it was.

Even if you did figure out the cats meow, and I was able to adopt it. I really need the console for my junk. I mean if I took my junk out of the console to make a cooler, I would have to put my junk in a cooler somewhere else.

I think it is a cool idea, but I don't have the same vision, but am curious nonetheless.

Keep us posted if you decide to go forth!

These are good points @_ac. I pulled out all my junk yesterday. Mostly it was junk. I need to clean out my glove box too. I think if I do that I’ll get most of what I really need in my glove box (TPaper, sunscreen, beer coozies, iPhone usb, scruncii, bug spray, knife). Then my console will be empty. Mostly the whole idea is about space saving/utilizing. I’m thinking I need to coordinate this concept with others for the best overall plan. Tools, for example, usually go in the back. I think that’s the best place for them too. If I put a cooler back there I’ll likely end up with tools in a storage bag over the rear wheel well between the roll bars. That just sounds wrong, so I’m toying with other solutions. As we all know, space is a valuable commodity in s TJ. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your onboard air project

 

[Stockli]

JMT if you insulate the outside of the console, flip it upside down that might work.

Also you took your sub out, so if you cut the liner out of the console and mage a piece to glass in there you could potentially have a decent amount of space.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

The center console, I believe, sits right over the transfer case — or at least very close to it. With the amount of insulation you'd need to make this work, I don't see how this would be worthwhile. You'd barely be able to fit anything in there for one person, let alone four.

I feel like this is one of those modifications that would've been done already if it could've been done.

 

[ac_]

These are good points @_ac. I pulled out all my junk yesterday. Mostly it was junk. I need to clean out my glove box too. I think if I do that I’ll get most of what I really need in my glove box (TPaper, sunscreen, beer coozies, iPhone usb, scruncii, bug spray, knife). Then my console will be empty. Mostly the whole idea is about space saving/utilizing. I’m thinking I need to coordinate this concept with others for the best overall plan. Tools, for example, usually go in the back. I think that’s the best place for them too. If I put a cooler back there I’ll likely end up with tools in a storage bag over the rear wheel well between the roll bars. That just sounds wrong, so I’m toying with other solutions. As we all know, space is a valuable commodity in s TJ. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your onboard air project

You could probably put a drain it it if you go all of the way through the floor and route the the drain somewhere where it won't spray back under the TJ. Since it is so high you might be able to make a downward flow toward the rear bumper? Maybe spray the cars behind you?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

You could probably put a drain it it if you go all of the way through the floor and route the the drain somewhere where it won't spray back under the TJ. Since it is so high you might be able to make a downward flow toward the rear bumper? Maybe spray the cars behind you?

I wouldn't drip or create spray for following cars any more than the A/C does when it's on and draining condensation through its drain hose coming out of the firewall..

 

[ac_]

I wouldn't drip or create spray for following cars any more than the A/C does when it's on and draining condensation through its drain hose coming out of the firewall..

I can't imagine where it would be even as much as the AC drain in a home made console cooler, but what are you thoughts?

He could add a drain valve and do controlled drains at the rear bumper.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I can't imagine where it would be even as much as the AC drain in a home made console cooler, but what are you thoughts?

He could add a drain valve and do controlled drains at the rear bumper.

Why make it more complex than it needs to be? A simple drain with no valve like the condenser has is more than enough. No valves, no worrying about when to drain it. Simple.

 

[ac_]

Why make it more complex than it needs to be? A simple drain with no valve like the condenser has is more than enough. No valves, no worrying about when to drain it. Simple.

I just suggested that because @JMT was contemplating a drain at all and was worried about rust. I think a drain is a good idea as he would have to bail out the water without one.

I agree with simple being better, but they had reservations, So I was just adding suggestions to help with their concerns.

My suggestion is to feed the drain to the rear bumper as to alleviate the worry for rust. Then you said don't drain it where it can get onto other cars so I suggested putting a valve on it so he could drain where it is safe to not spray other cars. I thought my thinking was ingenious. I am curious to how all of this works out regardless.

 

[lovemachine]

Curious. Why not just yank the console out? And just find a cooler that would fit in there?

You could bolt some straps down to hold it in place.

 

[JMT]

The center console, I believe, sits right over the transfer case — or at least very close to it. With the amount of insulation you'd need to make this work, I don't see how this would be worthwhile. You'd barely be able to fit anything in there for one person, let alone four.

I feel like this is one of those modifications that would've been done already if it could've been done.

CJs had it as an option, can’t remember which ones though. Actually, There’s nothing there for it to drip on. Go take a look. The mod has been done. Check other forums

 

[JMT]

Curious. Why not just yank the console out? And just find a cooler that would fit in there?

You could bolt some straps down to hold it in place.

I like it to look stock or at least clean and seamless