CVguy
Active Member
This thread will outline the process of swapping a Navigator 2nd row console into an Expedition.
Before we get started, some things to note:
If your car has 2nd row captain’s chairs (like mine) will need outboard 2nd row seats from a bench seat car in order to fit the console. Otherwise, the captain’s chair armrests interfere with the lid.
Also, the bolts for the brackets are two different size threads; FRONT - M12x1.75, REAR - M10x1.5, they all have 15mm heads. Mine had two bolts for the rear already threaded into the floor unused. The front holes are pre-threaded but taped over under the carpet to keep water out. All four bolts/bolt holes can be accessed from the nearby cutouts in the carpet.
I briefly mentioned how all floors are drilled the same for every seating configuration in a different post, and I’ll touch on that again in the second part of this write-up, so you can reference where the holes are that you’re gonna be looking for if you choose to tackle this swap yourself.
Captains chairs removed, ready to start installing the console brackets.
Rear bracket bolted in.
Slits were cut in the carpet to slip the mounting tabs through. Use caution when cutting for this bracket as there is a wire harness that runs side-to-side across the car, right near the area you will be cutting. A ratcheting 15mm wrench was used to remove and re-install the bolts. I was able to access the bolts through the holes for the seat brackets. Everything is easy to do by feel, and the bolts are visible near the cutouts just by lifting up the carpet.
Front bracket mocked up.
I felt around under the carpet for the front mounting holes and did my best to line up the front console bracket. Fortunately, I was spot on. Once I cut the carpet and got the tape removed, I started the bolts by hand and finished tightening them down with a long reach ratchet with a short 15mm socket
Front bracket installed.
Like the rear, I only cut slits in the carpet for the bracket legs in an attempt to keep this swap as minimally invasive as possible. The only downside is it makes installing the bolts trickier (especially since it’s harder to reach the ones for the front).
Console installed on the brackets!
This one goes without saying. Four 8mm bolts hold the console to the brackets.
Before we get started, some things to note:
If your car has 2nd row captain’s chairs (like mine) will need outboard 2nd row seats from a bench seat car in order to fit the console. Otherwise, the captain’s chair armrests interfere with the lid.
Also, the bolts for the brackets are two different size threads; FRONT - M12x1.75, REAR - M10x1.5, they all have 15mm heads. Mine had two bolts for the rear already threaded into the floor unused. The front holes are pre-threaded but taped over under the carpet to keep water out. All four bolts/bolt holes can be accessed from the nearby cutouts in the carpet.
I briefly mentioned how all floors are drilled the same for every seating configuration in a different post, and I’ll touch on that again in the second part of this write-up, so you can reference where the holes are that you’re gonna be looking for if you choose to tackle this swap yourself.
Captains chairs removed, ready to start installing the console brackets.
Rear bracket bolted in.
Slits were cut in the carpet to slip the mounting tabs through. Use caution when cutting for this bracket as there is a wire harness that runs side-to-side across the car, right near the area you will be cutting. A ratcheting 15mm wrench was used to remove and re-install the bolts. I was able to access the bolts through the holes for the seat brackets. Everything is easy to do by feel, and the bolts are visible near the cutouts just by lifting up the carpet.
Front bracket mocked up.
I felt around under the carpet for the front mounting holes and did my best to line up the front console bracket. Fortunately, I was spot on. Once I cut the carpet and got the tape removed, I started the bolts by hand and finished tightening them down with a long reach ratchet with a short 15mm socket
Front bracket installed.
Like the rear, I only cut slits in the carpet for the bracket legs in an attempt to keep this swap as minimally invasive as possible. The only downside is it makes installing the bolts trickier (especially since it’s harder to reach the ones for the front).
Console installed on the brackets!
This one goes without saying. Four 8mm bolts hold the console to the brackets.
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