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Project CJ-7
 

Offroad Reports


Rausch Creek
Off-Road Park


Wheeling in the
Valley of the Ferns

1.jpg (70086 bytes)
Tellico North Carolina


Paragon Adventure Park
◦ Rock Krawl ◦

Thousands more photos here..»

 

Jeep Project CJ-7

An ongoing Budgeted Rebuild/Build up of a Rock
Crawling Machine.

Installing 23,000 Volt Offroad Lights


Lockers, Limited Slips &
other Differentials Explained

 

Ramp Travel Index
RTI / Ramp Travel Index What it is and how to calculate it, with and without the ramp.

Offroaders Guide to Gearing up for Offroad
From Basic Equipment to Well Equipped.  An extensive list guide to help you prepare your vehicle for the offroad.

 
 

 

 

 

 

Project Toyota FJ Cruiser

Tuffy Security Console
Installation and Review

 

 

I've always been a fan of Tuffy and the security consoles they have produced over the years.  I was happy to see that they made a console for the Toyota FJ Cruiser and that it fit into an existing location without the need for any modifications over stock.  Up to this point I had nowhere to stash my GPS or anything else of value within a lockable enclosure.  So I purchased this console from OK Auto for about $200.  Installation was very easily and what I gained was a lockable box for my valuables.  Here's a little something about the console and what I think about it.

First, it's manufactured from 16 gauge steel and powder coated with a very durable paint.  Just judging by the weight of it, I could tell that it wasn't just a cheap box.  The lockable lid has an anti-pry lip around the perimeter.

The locking mechanism is very stout, even more so than my handgun lockbox made by a different company, and that thing is designed for firearms!  Tuffy calls this patented system the "Pry-Guard II Locking System" with a heavy-duty 1/4" steel latch and a 10 tumbler double bitted lock with an anti-twist push button and built-in weather seals.  Not sure what all that means but I can tell the lock means business.  The push-button lock can be closed without locking it, which is nice.

 

 

The lid design is weather resistant and has what Tuffy calls a "Pin-Lock" hinge that prevents someone from accessing the security box from the hinge side.  The top also has a built-in lid stop, so it can be opened and it doesn't flop all the way backwards.  It also has an internal storage tray for smaller items and a tray located under the drivers side arm rest to hold smaller loose items like sun glasses, pens, gum or whatever.

 

This Tuffy console is designed to fit into the open storage cavity at the rear of the center console in the FJ.  By removing the rubber separator in the factory storage bin, this box uses the stock bolts and includes another grade 8 bolt that you can optionally install for added security. 
 

The box is designed to allow the driver side arm rest to be used, though if you have a passenger side arm rest, that will have to come off.  However the storage box then doubles as an arm rest for the passenger with a full length vinyl padded top.  The box doesn't interfere with the factory drink holder.

As I said, Installation was very easy and quick.  Outlined below is the steps necessary to install this added security in the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

 

 
 
Patented Pry-Guard II Locking
System with a 1/4" steel latch
which enables the lid to be
latched closed without locking.
Patented Anti-Twist Push
Button Lock system with
a 10 tumbler double bitted
security key containing built
in weather seals

 
 
 
Interior Storage Tray
Full length marine grade
vinyl armrest cushion
Durable texture
Powder coat
Weather resistant lid
design incorporates
an exclusive Pin-Lock
hinge security system
with built in lid stop
 
Used in conjunction with
the factory OEM console
Convenient external
storage tray works
with OEM driver side
fold down arm rest
 
  Grade 8 mounting hardware.

 

 

Installation of the Tuffy FJ Cruiser Security Console

The console comes with all the necessary hardware for installation, which isn't much. 

Hardware including:
1 5/16-18 x 3" grade 8 hex cap screw
1 5/16-18 Locknut
2 5/16” washers
2 6mm X 25mm hex cap screws
2 ¼" washers
A length of rubber seal

The rubber seal goes under the lid to somewhat help with sealing from the weather but more so to stop the lid from banging down.  Just eye up where the seal will make contact with the lower half of the console and stick the seal around the border.
Now to get the console in, BOTH arm rests (if you have two) will have to be removed.  The passenger side will not go back on but the driver side will.
To remove these arm rests pop the plastic caps off the arm rest and remove the bolt.  Hang onto the driver side arm rest if you want to put it back on.  Don't loose the spacer behind the arm rest.
With the arm rests removed you can see there is plenty of room to lower the Tuffy console into the OEM bin.
Next remove the two bolts at the base of the console bin.  These will be replaced by the 2 6mm X 25mm hex cap screws.
Now lower the Tuffy Console into the bin. 

The blue arrows point to the two

The red arrow points to a hole where you can drill a 5/16" hole down through the OEM console, and through the body.  Before drilling, look under your vehicle ot make sure you won't be drill through anything other than the bodies sheet metal. 

If you do decide to install this 5/16-18 x 3" grade 8 hex cap screw, mark the hole, remove the console, then drill out the hole after checking underneath the vehicle first. It will make for easier drilling without the console in place.  Once the hole is drilled, then put the console back in place. 

Now install the two 2 6mm X 25mm hex cap screws along with the two ¼" washers and tighten the bolts. (Blue arrows)

Then install the 5/16-18 x 3" grade 8 hex cap screw along with the 5/16” washers (one in the box and one under the vehicle and secure with the 5/16-18 Locknut.

Once the security console is installed, re-install your driver side arm rest.  The passenger side arm rest, if you have one, can be sold on eBay since a lot of earlier models FJs didn't come with one for some reason though the bolt hole is there.

There you have it!  A lockable security console.  What do I think? 

Here's My Review:

It's a great addition to the FJ's interior.  It has never felt like it was in the way, and now there is a safe place to stash my valuables out of sight and behind locked steel.  It looks great and locks and latches just fine.  The only complaints I'd have is that it's not always easy to get my hand on the push button lock to open it.  Perhaps it's just something I'm not used to and I have to give it a different approach to grasp it.  But it's no big deal.  It's not a huge volume for a lot of junk but it's ample.  I'd imagine that a larger box would require the removal or a hack of the OEM console to gain access to the floor and more space, but for now that's not necessary as I have more storage elsewhere.  The side tray is nice as is the arm rest on top.  Overall I'd have to give it an 9 out of 10.  I'll give Tuffy a 10 for making a console that fits well into an existing hole, requires no modifications over OEM (other than the removal of the arm rest) and the strength of the lockable box.  Well crafted and good to know I have a place to put valuables now within reach of the driver seat.
 

 
 

 

Project FJ Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser Related Articles

Toyota FJ Cruiser Articles Directory

Toyota Mud Tire Reviews

FJ Cruiser Product Reviews

About the Toyota FJ Cruiser

FJ Cruiser Product Reviews

Toyota FJ Cruiser Video Gallery

FJ Cruiser Engine and Drivetrain Specifications

Tuffy Security Console Install

Building an FJ 28"x42" Cargo Box with a
Collapsible 72"x42" Sleeping Platform

Body Mount CHOP in front wheelwells

Mud Flap Mod after the Body Mount Chop

Team Trails Black Door Handles Swap

Team Trails Black Grill Swap

FJ Cruisers Winter Offroading Pics

Toyota FJ Cruiser Photo Gallery

FJ Cruiser Press Release & Specifications

FJ Cruiser Reviews

FJ Cruiser Tires

FJ Cruiser Overview

FJ Cruiser Capacities

FJ Cruiser Dimensions

FJ Cruiser Suspension Lifts

ALL-PRO OFFROAD Suspension Lifts

Rough Country Suspension Lifts

Donahoe FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

Revtek FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

 

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Mud Tire Reviews

 



Off-Road Lights
by LightForce Product Review / Installation.
from Off-Road Lights