DIY - Cheap Easy Modification of Central Console Lid (keeps lid open / upright)

[2door]

gotta say- this is the greatest DIY fix ever for the Bronco! thank you! works great

You're welcome! Glad to hear that!

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[JediMcMuffin]

For those referring to my experience with the 3D printed shims: It put just a little more tension on the spring, it doesn't flip up until maybe the last 15% of travel. If you flip it downward it appears to go all the way closed, but with the extra tension it now stops short. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do, I kind of liked being able to release it and let it slam shut before. I'd almost say its worse now.

 

[KenV]

I also hated how the console lid comes crashing down. I read through several post and decided to come up with my own DIY to fix the cursed console lid. My solution is to simply bend each spring (picts attached) approx 45deg using just pliers to hold the spring securely and an adjustable (crescent) wrench or pliers to twist the spring. It takes a little effort to make the bend but everyone can perform. The amount of bend shown in the pictures allows the lid to be positioned in any open position without dropping. If you want the lid to spring open when the lever is released, try bending the spring a little bit more. It does not take a lot of bend to get the desired effect. When bending, just start the bend as close to the coil section as possible. Doing so will allow the spring to drop right back in the mating console detent during assembly. This DIY took me all of 15 minutes from start to finish and looks OEM. Good luck and enjoy the lid not crashing down.

The springs shown here are already bent to the desired position.

Picture shows the bent springs back into the stock console detents and lid holding in open position.

This shows the amount of bend. Red shows original spring angle (straight) before bend.

 

[2door]

I also hated how the console lid comes crashing down. I read through several post and decided to come up with my own DIY to fix the cursed console lid. My solution is to simply bend each spring (picts attached) approx 45deg using just pliers to hold the spring securely and an adjustable (crescent) wrench or pliers to twist the spring. It takes a little effort to make the bend but everyone can perform. The amount of bend shown in the pictures allows the lid to be positioned in any open position without dropping. If you want the lid to spring open when the lever is released, try bending the spring a little bit more. It does not take a lot of bend to get the desired effect. When bending, just start the bend as close to the coil section as possible. Doing so will allow the spring to drop right back in the mating console detent during assembly. This DIY took me all of 15 minutes from start to finish and looks OEM. Good luck and enjoy the lid not crashing down.

The springs shown here are already bent to the desired position.

Picture shows the bent springs back into the stock console detents and lid holding in open position.

This shows the amount of bend. Red shows original spring angle (straight) before bend.

I like your idea! It's definitely easier than my solution.

 

[Sunday Money]

For those referring to my experience with the 3D printed shims: It put just a little more tension on the spring, it doesn't flip up until maybe the last 15% of travel. If you flip it downward it appears to go all the way closed, but with the extra tension it now stops short. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do, I kind of liked being able to release it and let it slam shut before. I'd almost say its worse now.

The "slam shut" is what I'm looking to change. So it stays open but you have to push it down to snap it closed?

 

[Chrome_Pony]

Neosupreme Seat Covers and a Neoprene armrest cover and the stay up and slam problems are also both solved

 

[ChrisB351]

Reading some of these posts Im wondering if mine even has springs

 

[swooshdave]

Reading some of these posts Im wondering if mine even has springs

Mine is pretty floppy too.

 

[ChrisB351]

Mine is pretty floppy too.

Best way to describe the feel of mine is a like a floppy eared hound

 

[2door]

Best way to describe the feel of mine is a like a floppy eared hound

That's exactly what mine had been like until I modified it.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Mine is pretty floppy too.

Best way to describe the feel of mine is a like a floppy eared hound

Are we still discussing the console lid or is "mine" a code word for some other innuendo?

 

[ChrisB351]

That's exactly what mine had been like until I modified it.

Are we still discussing the console lid or is "mine" a code word for some other innuendo?

hmmm

 

[351W-Bronco]

Got mine done this afternoon.

My two biggest challenges were needing to remove the rear, center console mounted cup holder, and the second was getting the hinge pin back in place properly. I solved that (eventually), by pointing the console lid straight up instead of at an angle (partially opened lid), which aligned to hinge holes just right.

I already love this mod.

Thanks,
Herb

 

[351W-Bronco]

I will say, it took me about a week to stop using my elbow to prop up the lid as I pulled out fo my garage. There was a lot of muscle memory in using my elbow to keep the lid from slamming down as I back up.

 

[2door]

All those little annoying things in the Bronco such as the rattling windows, squeaky tail gate, whistling hardtop, and the erectile dysfunction of the armrest lid got me thinking that Ford wanted us to become not only adventure seekers but also hardcore DIYers.

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