Secret stash drawer..Shhhh,...Its a Secret!...

[Jolly Roger]

--Secret compartment build and Jump seat to console swap--

The day I bought my Tahoe I folded down the console on the jump seat and never looked back.
I love the cup holders and storage nook but always hated the unused area on the floorboard in front of the jump seat.
I've always wanted to replace my jump seat with a proper center console but the money they want for one is ridiculous to say the least until a few days ago I found one for a song on fleabay with free shipping to boot!
$219 bucks this nasty thing is all mine, with some love and elbow grease it will do just fine!

...and elbow grease is just what it took, lots of hot water and soap. I swear this console must have been the center piece in a chicken coup. The lid cover was torn so I bought a replacement DIY upholstery kit for $20. It was also missing a kick-panel so I forked out another $15. So for about $255 I have the console I've always wanted staring at me waiting for an install.

But now what I cant get over is all the extra space under the console that will go unused...(if you cant tell by now I hate wasted space) The console came with a BOSE amplifier and wiring harness, all which I was quick to pull out. There is so much unused space I found myself inventing things to put under it.....
an auxilary heater?...no. sounds like fire waiting to happen...a sub-woofer? ...no,...I already have two...how about a secret compartment? ...Hells yes!!!
I mean,..this thing is going to be a royal PITA to install anyway right?..seats gotta come out...heck, I might as well make it worth it..
So here goes. My plan is to custom fabricate a secret door into the console for theft prevention...and then Im going to tell everybody where it is anyway...lol
So to keep me going on this project, and for your amusement... follow along and have some laughs...

The plan..

 

[adventurenali92]

I’m about to tackle a second row console for this very reason! There are no cup holders or storage space in the second row and it drives me bonkers! I have also always thought it would be really cool to utilize the space under the front console for something. I thought it would be cool to somehow have a door open and have a gun locker there! I’m in to see what you come up with!

 

[Jolly Roger]

I’m about to tackle a second row console for this very reason! There are no cup holders or storage space in the second row and it drives me bonkers! I have also always thought it would be really cool to utilize the space under the front console for something. I thought it would be cool to somehow have a door open and have a gun locker there! I’m in to see what you come up with!

I think you'll like what I'm cooking then!
Stay tuned my brotha!

 

[adventurenali92]

I think you'll like what I'm cooking then!
Stay tuned my brotha!

 

[Jolly Roger]

Some pics of the console before the work. Its dirty, its torn and the latch is broken...looks like they have been using hook and loop to hold down the lid..
I refuse to pay the going price for a working replacement latch ($90) ...so ill just have to get creative.
As you can see the console rear has the climate control installed, Ill be deleting/replacing that with usb and power ports...

 

[Jolly Roger]

Most of my shopping list has been delivered, im really having a hard time on deciding where to install a secret switch in the cab....any suggestions? I picked up a few different types of switches...also considering a two switch approach that way if one is accidentally pressed my drawer wont pop open.
I've considered many locations, in vents, behind trim panels, under/side seats, ....I've even thought of making it to where you have to have a combination of accessories on in a certain order...
.....Im over thinking this aren't I?

 

[07Burb]

huh....different project. I'm in for progress

 

[Jolly Roger]

I think I have it figured out, but here are some potential considerations...please forgive my paint skills

 

[wjburken]

I think I have it figured out, but here are some potential considerations...please forgive my paint skills

View attachment 230309

I would avoid anything down by your feet as that will be a pain to get anything out of.

What if you hinged the center tray/cup holder so that it flipped up towards the dash? The existing edge of the center tray will camouflage the fact that there is anything there. Then you could have your hidden compartment extend under the front into the area under your dash and have good visibility when you are in the driver's seat.

 

[Jolly Roger]

I would avoid anything down by your feet as that will be a pain to get anything out of.

What if you hinged the center tray/cup holder so that it flipped up towards the dash? The existing edge of the center tray will camouflage the fact that there is anything there. Then you could have your hidden compartment extend under the front into the area under your dash and have good visibility when you are in the driver's seat.

Thought about that,...
Hinging the cup holder tray would be PITA considering how it clips in the hole, and then theirs the "drinks and junk" being hurled towards the radio thing...
I like the way you think though you have a very mechanical mind!

heres a pick of how the underneath section of the tray looks like.. (pic from internet)

View attachment 230310

 

[Jolly Roger]

 

[Jolly Roger]

I would avoid anything down by your feet as that will be a pain to get anything out of.

What if you hinged the center tray/cup holder so that it flipped up towards the dash? The existing edge of the center tray will camouflage the fact that there is anything there. Then you could have your hidden compartment extend under the front into the area under your dash and have good visibility when you are in the driver's seat.

And I think your right about the feet access. Im going to avoid that.
The hinged cup tray is a great idea but Im afraid there just isnt enough room..

(not my truck)

 

[07Burb]

How quickly do you think you'll need to access this hidden compartment? Like in an emergency case or not quite that urgent? The reason I'm asking is you could put underneath the main part of the console but you'd have to be able to lift out the tray under that lid to access it Would be super concealed, though, with no visible doors for people to guess that there's stuff in there.

 

[Jolly Roger]

How quickly do you think you'll need to access this hidden compartment? Like in an emergency case or not quite that urgent? The reason I'm asking is you could put underneath the main part of the console but you'd have to be able to lift out the tray under that lid to access it Would be super concealed, though, with no visible doors for people to guess that there's stuff in there.

Having the contents of the drawer immediately in my face was what I was going for, but after racking my brain on where to put/install the drawer it seems less and less probable.
I think Ill just have to be happy with a good "out of sight-out of mind" compartment.
Moving something out of the way first isn't ideal but its doable. I just dont want to have to hand the passenger two Wendy's Frosty(s), and a handful of change before I push my secret button.

I think security is where Im going with this, if they dont know its there then they wont bother it. Console safes are sold just for this truck, but nothing says "concentrate your attention here" more than a iron door with a combination on the front.

 

[Jolly Roger]

So,..my cash register drawer guy didnt come though for me....whats this world coming to if you cant even trust your cash register drawer guy?..

I took a drive this evening and found myself at the local Jeep shop. I came home with one of these!...

This is going to work out much better than the cash drawer idea I think. Now I just have to figure out how to electronically activate it and make it spring powered!
The cash drawer was going to have to have a section cut out of the middle and then be put back together because it was to wide. This new drawer is the perfect width!

 

[gat0r]

there are gun safes like that w/ rfid or finger print access

 

[Jolly Roger]

there are gun safes like that w/ rfid or finger print access

Yes sir, but most are clam shell opening. I needed a drawer.

 

[wjburken]

Yes sir, but most are clam shell opening. I needed a drawer.

What if you put the center cup holder/catch all bin on a spring loaded four-bar linkage that allowed it to pop up and move towards the passenger side while staying level. That way nothing would need to be removed from the cup holder yet would provide access to your drawer underneath? Like the coffee table below.

 

[Jolly Roger]

What if you put the center cup holder/catch all bin on a spring loaded four-bar linkage that allowed it to pop up and move towards the passenger side while staying level. That way nothing would need to be removed from the cup holder yet would provide access to your drawer underneath? Like the coffee table below.

View attachment 230336

Thats an awesome idea!

I think I've been concentrating to ******* a spring operated drawer idea. This would be more like a motorized or manually opened mechanism. But completely lockable via secret switch!
Dang, just when I thought I knew the direction I was going to go, you go and pull this on me!

 

[Jolly Roger]

....oh wait, I get it. You mean to have that as access AND still have a drawer! Freakin brilliant.
Even if someone figured out that it toggled up like that they wouldn't have a clue that there was still a secret drawer that was hidden off to the side..
They would probably think that WAS the secret hidey hole...