Center console vault

[MxRacer965]

Evening everyone,

As I was browsing the forum tonight I came across a thread about center console organizers. I see there are a few interesting looking options on Amazon, but I really was interested in a vault. I know Ford sells one but it turns the entire console into a vault, which is too much for my needs. I just want to have a place to store my pistol if I have to remove it (post office, etc). I did a google search and came across this:

https://www.americantrucks.com/e-g-...CmqD7Nug2YA93KfLSIcaAtHXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Anyone have this? Any concerns about it not fitting? I assume it should be fine but anyone else here know of any reason why it wouldn’t? Tempted to pick it up as I think it would be just about perfect. Big enough to hold my P365 or Shield, some mags/ammo, and still retain half the console for “regular” use.

 

[HawkX66]

I have a regular single weapon vault bolted to the back of one of my second row seats. Some may say I can't get to it quickly. I say why do I need a second weapon quickly... It's for emergencies and secure storage only.

 

[John650]

I used a Tuffy security console in a jeep I had may years ago. They may make something that would work for your needs. https://www.tuffyproducts.com/

 

[aggiegrad05]

Check out this thread:


https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/console-safe.38499/

 

[bushpilot]

I had a console vault in my '17 F350...before I bought the '20 Expy I check the part numbers and they are exactly the same p/n.

I removed the console vault from our super duty and re-installed it in my '20 Expy...fits perfect.

STORY: I have a dash cam. My truck was towed and on the dash cam you can hear the tow truck driver BANGING on something metallic...and I mean he is beating the snot out of something....turns out he was beating on the console vault handle trying to break in to the safe...he was unable to get in and eventually just gave up!

https://www.consolevault.com/Ford-Expedition-Console-Vault-2018-2019.html

 

[Artie]

I had a console vault in my '17 F350...before I bought the '20 Expy I check the part numbers and they are exactly the same p/n.

I removed the console vault from our super duty and re-installed it in my '20 Expy...fits perfect.

STORY: I have a dash cam. My truck was towed and on the dash cam you can hear the tow truck driver BANGING on something metallic...and I mean he is beating the snot out of something....turns out he was beating on the console vault handle trying to break in to the safe...he was unable to get in and eventually just gave up!

https://www.consolevault.com/Ford-Expedition-Console-Vault-2018-2019.html

So did you ever report the tow tru k driver? I’ve found myself saying this a few times this week, people suck. What the heck, you’re paying for his services and he feels obligated to steal from you. POS.

 

[HawkX66]

FWIW, the glove box is the first place a thief checks. Bushpilot got lucky the thief driver was a moron. Those boxes are relatively easy to get into with a simple screw driver or prybar. I also bolted my box to the back of my second row because that's the last place they'll look in the interior.

Artie,
Most tow drivers don't own the truck they're driving. AAA calls might get paid $10-$15 per call. Also depends on the tow company.

 

[bushpilot]

So did you ever report the tow tru k driver? I’ve found myself saying this a few times this week, people suck. What the heck, you’re paying for his services and he feels obligated to steal from you. POS.

I didn't have him on video so nothing to prove...theyre all liars and cheating thieves!
He couldn't get into the safe (and luckily I didn't have anything IN the safe).

 

[bushpilot]

FWIW, the glove box is the first place a thief checks. Bushpilot got lucky the thief driver was a moron. Those boxes are relatively easy to get into with a simple screw driver or prybar. I also bolted my box to the back of my second row because that's the last place they'll look in the interior.

given enough time anything can be broken into...he may have stopped when realized there was a dash cam (too bad the lens wasn't pointed at him or id be going public w/ the info/company & pictures)!

I agree these things aren't difficult to break into...its just another barrier and for some instances it exceeds my personal liability requirement (its better then keeping a gun under the seat...which I would never do)!

 

[byathread]

...I really was interested in a vault. I know Ford sells one but it turns the entire console into a vault, which is too much for my needs. I just want to have a place to store my pistol if I have to remove it (post office, etc). I did a google search and came across this:

https://www.americantrucks.com/e-g-...CmqD7Nug2YA93KfLSIcaAtHXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was too and I didn't come across that one when I was looking. Nice option. The ford one looks like it renders the console useless if you want to use space above it and also have access. I like this one you've found... It's what I'd go with now that I know it'd fit, so, thanks everyone for the input!

 

[philontheisland]

After much research, this is what I went with the Fort Knox FTK AUTO gun vault, available on AMZ;

https://www.amazon.com/Fort-Knox-FT...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SHX3SPDYKXAZWK75Q1M2

It's heavy, it's thick, and I don't need to look at the keys to unlock it, simply finding the buttons with my fingers I can enter the combo and unlock it.

Remove four plastic bumper/feet on bottom and it mounts easily to bottom of console compartment with these rivnuts, part number 97217A444, found online at McMaster Carr;
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/3512

and appropriate size hex head bolt, part number 90386A104, also from McMaster; or local hardware store.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/3344

Using a star lock-washer between the top of the rivnut and the bottom of the vault, (this keeps the rivnut from turning when tightening the fastener) quickly tighten (use a battery powered nut driver, not a hand wrench or ratchet) the fastener from inside the vault and viola, it's mounted.

I had a solid two inches of dead space under my center console, so don't be afraid of hitting anything with the drill bit, but always proceed with caution! I mounted mine closest to the driver seat and as far forward as possible. This left a small gap around the front and driver side of the vault, and also allowed me to maintain useable space in the center console for other items.

 

[5280tunage]

@byathread did you ever find anything? I really like the idea of the consolevault but like you, i'd love something that only used up say 50% of the height of the center console, so I could say still use the factory tray on top of it. right now i'm good with where I store my CC weapon, but when my kids get older, I want to lock it up, but also make it easy to access for emergencies. I also would love to see the consolevault use a biometric lock.

Would love to have something myself! great question.

 

[philontheisland]

After much research, this is what I went with the Fort Knox FTK AUTO gun vault, available on AMZ;


https://www.amazon.com/Fort-Knox-FT...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SHX3SPDYKXAZWK75Q1M2


It's heavy, it's thick, and I don't need to look at the keys to unlock it, simply finding the buttons with my fingers I can enter the combo and unlock it.


Remove four plastic bumper/feet on bottom and it mounts easily to bottom of console compartment with these rivnuts, part number 97217A444, found online at McMaster Carr;

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/3512


and appropriate size hex head bolt, part number 90386A104, also from McMaster; or local hardware store.

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/3344


Using a star lock-washer between the top of the rivnut and the bottom of the vault, (this keeps the rivnut from turning when tightening the fastener) quickly tighten (use a battery powered nut driver, not a hand wrench or ratchet) the fastener from inside the vault and viola, it's mounted.


I had a solid two inches of dead space under my center console, so don't be afraid of hitting anything with the drill bit, but always proceed with caution! I mounted mine closest to the driver seat and as far forward as possible. This left a small gap around the front and driver side of the vault, and also allowed me to maintain useable space in the center console for other items.

 

[lbv150]

These work good: https://www.consolevault.com/Ford-Expedition-Console-Vault-2018-2019.html

 

[ExplorerTom]

After much research, this is what I went with the Fort Knox FTK AUTO gun vault,

I assume you mounted it so the door opens up and the gun drops in.

Did you rivnut into metal or plastic for the mounting?

 

[byathread]

@byathread did you ever find anything? I really like the idea of the consolevault but like you, i'd love something that only used up say 50% of the height of the center console, so I could say still use the factory tray on top of it. right now i'm good with where I store my CC weapon, but when my kids get older, I want to lock it up, but also make it easy to access for emergencies. I also would love to see the consolevault use a biometric lock.

Would love to have something myself! great question.

https://www.americantrucks.com/e-g-center-console-lock-vault-1517.html

That seems to be the best one I've found that still leaves space for other stuff and I think you can still use the existing tray. Just wish (also like you) it was half height and had a 4, ideally a 5 digit combo option as well.

I'm still looking, might be a case of good enough on this one, but, haven't bought anything yet.

 

[5280tunage]

https://www.americantrucks.com/e-g-center-console-lock-vault-1517.html

That seems to be the best one I've found that still leaves space for other stuff and I think you can still use the existing tray. Just wish (also like you) it was half height and had a 4, ideally a 5 digit combo option as well.

I'm still looking, might be a case of good enough on this one, but, haven't bought anything yet.

See, and to make it even better, with the abundance of usb ports for 5v, you could make it biometric, with a rechargeable battery... Thanks for the response, I will keep looking.