Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the piece - it came in today. It will be an exact fit for the console hole that I currently have in there.... but get this - the filler plate is not plastic, but is a hard painted steel plate! Plastic would have been much more utilitarian and would have saved weight, the only reason I can figure out Ford may have used is that perhaps agencies mounted equipment to it.
I think what I'm going to do is have this piece AutoCAD imaged before I install it in the car, with the mind of perhaps designing a new filler piece with 2" gauge mounting holes for 3D printing. A long time ago when I was an active road officer I drive an 1988 Crown Vic with the optional police gauge pod on the right hand side of the dash. I always thought Ford's designers screwed the pooch by not offering the optional police gauges in the new Taurus. So, this has room for either two or three 2" gauges in a row, on the center console. Should look nice. Or, two 2 5/8" gauges. There's a lot of room to play with. The lower half can be used for things as well, yet to be conceptualized.
So the configuration will look like this...
Radio/AC console
Police cigarette lighter plate with AC temp sensor
Blanking plate (with holes for gauges/accessories)
Cup holders (either SHO/Limited with swing up door or SEL/SE style with fixed holes, no door)
Storage box with swing-up padded lid.
Should be a nice design when I get it done. And... Ford used one track for all. I was afraid it might be different between model lines, the console I have came out of a 2016 SHO. It will all fit. If I eventually do design something up & decide to sell it I'll let you know both here and on my website, www.policeinterceptor.com .
Thanks
Eric
I think what I'm going to do is have this piece AutoCAD imaged before I install it in the car, with the mind of perhaps designing a new filler piece with 2" gauge mounting holes for 3D printing. A long time ago when I was an active road officer I drive an 1988 Crown Vic with the optional police gauge pod on the right hand side of the dash. I always thought Ford's designers screwed the pooch by not offering the optional police gauges in the new Taurus. So, this has room for either two or three 2" gauges in a row, on the center console. Should look nice. Or, two 2 5/8" gauges. There's a lot of room to play with. The lower half can be used for things as well, yet to be conceptualized.
So the configuration will look like this...
Radio/AC console
Police cigarette lighter plate with AC temp sensor
Blanking plate (with holes for gauges/accessories)
Cup holders (either SHO/Limited with swing up door or SEL/SE style with fixed holes, no door)
Storage box with swing-up padded lid.
Should be a nice design when I get it done. And... Ford used one track for all. I was afraid it might be different between model lines, the console I have came out of a 2016 SHO. It will all fit. If I eventually do design something up & decide to sell it I'll let you know both here and on my website, www.policeinterceptor.com .
Thanks
Eric