[Brads_nky_yj]

Originally Posted by JeeperDon

Jeez, I didn't notice that. Hey Max dude, buy a welder.

If he can mass produce these consoles then I probably bet he has a welder. Maybe while your at it you could teach him how to weld as well, since you are so full of knowledge on this whole console business. Not trying to knock on any toes, just my opinion. I mean thats what this whole internet is anyway right, just our opinions.

[Max-Bilt]

Where to start....... this design was as JP mentioned in their new product write-up, For Jeepers by Jeepers, and it a wonder why no one thought of it before. We have a welder The process of the consoles starts with sheet steel that is laser cut with 0 tolerance to accept all of the extra components that were carefully chosen for their aesthetics and functionality. They are then bent, riveted with steel rivets, not aluminum, the reason is that if you weld a seam, you change the metals, which also lead to an increased opportunity for corrosion, steel rivets provide strength and durability. The stainless steel hinges are then spot welded every 3/4 inch to make sure the look is clean and strong. The seams on the 16 gauge lids are then welded and ground to insure security. Our Trademarked Max-Duty cam lock system provides peace of mind as well, one thing we found when researching the locks is that the lock is only as strong as the metal that holds it, and 16 gauges is industry standard, and quite durable. I never have a top on my personal cj, and I keep my eclipse head unit in their all summer, through rain, mud and preassurewashings. I tested mine by pressure washing it 55 times and in doing so I did blow a fuse for the 12 volt power socket, because I left the plastic plug off of it when I washed it down. They are remarkable, and we stand behind them 100%, it will be the last unit you would buy.
Rusty Wrangler, The website is an oversight, thanks
Marine Mike, I will take you up on your offer, when you return, email me at pnorvold@maxbilt.com and I would like to know how the test turns out.
As for the lights that you can buy as an extra through Tuffy, it’s a great idea, and that is why it is incorporated in ours as part of the price, the customer does not need to buy it and then install it, just get ours, pull it out of the box and wire two leads to it, and then you’re done.
As for the opinion of JeeperDon, we are a small company that does not like to discount heavy, but to let you guys see how great this product is, it is needed, I am a jeep nut, I built this to hold up to my jeep in habits, I am rough on things, if it breaks I build it stronger, just like many of you, and that is why it took me 4 years to perfect this. Your jeep is your legend, give it what it deserves. Just my thoughts as to the comments, please keep them coming I don’t want to sound defensive, this is a great learning experience, if I challenge an opinion it is simply so that all the facts are laid out on the table and we are comparing apples to apples. Jeff, glad to see you on here to, thanks again everyone and Happy Jeepin. Get Bilt.

Phil Norvold
Owner, President
Max-Bilt LLC

PS You can contact Lonnie at lpeterson@maxbilt.com for welding classes they will resume after the first of the year!

[JeeperDon]

OK, truce on the construction and price issues. I do have a couple observations on the design.

One thing I like about brand T that is the cup holders can be mounted in the front or rear. This gives more flexibility in were fore/aft the unit can be mounted.

Another observation is the main stereo cover/door seems to interfere with the switches and lights when open, and of course means prevents access to the stereo when closed so you can use the switches. The door also appears to interfere with things in the cup holders.

[Max-Bilt]

We call it opportunity cost, the problem with cupholders in the rear, is that leg room is terrible in the back of these jeeps, and we advocate the use of the fenderwells to set drinks on, or soundpod cupholders from VDP as they do not sacrifice the already precious space, and if you dont have a rear seat or you dont use it, we found that is it more practicle to have lights illuminating the back compartment (if anyone has rebuilt a carb or anything on the back tailgate at night with no lights it comes in real handy if you dont have a rear seat.) One thing that you may see in the future is another 12v power socket back there, as those are real handy. The front lid does cover up the lights, but we found that mostguys are not driving around with the lid open and the lights on, what works real well is to pop in a cd and leave the lid closed that way you protect it from dust, dirt, rain, and you still are able to use the controls up front.

[Marine_Mike]

And like your website suggests, use the alpine Ipod head unit and negate the c.d. player anyway. I don't know about you guys... but with my leafsprung jeep... I can never go through a full song W/O it skipping. ONe thing that would be beneficial is some sort of way to fasten an Ipod to the top of the head unit cover. Most Ipod cases have belt clips... so you could start from there.

PS.. Email sent to Mr. Norvold

[KingsburgDRZ]

Originally Posted by Max-Bilt

We call it opportunity cost, the problem with cupholders in the rear, is that leg room is terrible in the back of these jeeps, and we advocate the use of the fenderwells to set drinks on, or soundpod cupholders from VDP as they do not sacrifice the already precious space, and if you dont have a rear seat or you dont use it, we found that is it more practicle to have lights illuminating the back compartment (if anyone has rebuilt a carb or anything on the back tailgate at night with no lights it comes in real handy if you dont have a rear seat.) One thing that you may see in the future is another 12v power socket back there, as those are real handy. The front lid does cover up the lights, but we found that mostguys are not driving around with the lid open and the lights on, what works real well is to pop in a cd and leave the lid closed that way you protect it from dust, dirt, rain, and you still are able to use the controls up front.

Adding a 12v power socket in the back sounds like a great idea, there never seems to be enough cord to reach the back. I don't know if there is already a power socket inside of the console, but it would be nice to be able to leave your phone/ipod plugged in while you run into the store.

[Marine_Mike]

Well gents.. I look forward to continuing this thread later... it's 1230 in the morning here and time for my rack to become one with me. Later

[over2land]

Originally Posted by rustywrangler

Just curious, why does it say on your site that this console is only for 91-95 YJ's???? There is NO difference between 87-95 between the seats.

There is a difference between the seats, but that alone doesn't make for mounting issue in the console. Historically, the 91 and up YJs need a 8-inch (IIRC) console so the seats still swing forward, while the earlier ones can use a 10-inch console. While the seats are similar widths, the mounting from the CL of the Jeep changed. However, the Max-Bilt console uses those nylon straps to retain the seatbelt recepticles so the flipping forward of the seat is a bit easier.

As for the Tuffy vs MaxBilt thing, I've personally dealt with bot Phil and Jeff. Both are awesome guys to deal with. Both are into the Jeep thing, and know specs and other info that you'd probably not even think of. Customer service at both is great but Maxbilt is a smaller company and still hungry for business... you call them, you are guaranteed a person and guaranteed to get someone with authority to "make it right"

Like I say, I've dealt with both... I have had Tuffy units in many Jeeps. I've never seen that 1/4" measurement Jeff was talking about, but never had problems. The new locks take up a bunch of space inside the unit, but I understand that people want a push button latch on things too. And, I put a Maxbilt unit in my CJ5 that has a top, but the top hasn't been up in 4 years, and the head unit still works to this day... I guess its been in there since June or so, but still... in NJ in the rain, I'm just happy all the lights, switches and head unit still works. I looked for water intrusion from the rivets cause I was concerned too, and didn't see any water trails or other evidence.

For me, with the CJ-5 it came down to no other interior lights, no 12V outlet, and when I priced all that out, and the wire to run it, and the mounting, etc etc... the Maxbilt unit made a lot of sense for me. Sure, its a premium, but I dont' regret it.

I do agree with the padding/DD thing though. I have an old metal console from a now out of business company previously out of Huntington Beach, CA that included the padding, and the padding even kinda matched the seats... I heart that padding. I've added custom hand stitched padding to a few of my Tuffy units over the years.... problem is, I never found a foam/fabric solution that wouldn't mold or milldew or smell bad after a few rainstorms.

[Brandon_YJ]

WTF? Dude, you joined almost 4 years ago and this is your first post? What gives?

Never-the-less, you obviously aren't shilling something, so thanks for the post.

Oh, and in case you are still making padding and covers for your consoles, there are several fabrics out there now that prevent mildew and such. I can not recall the exact names of those textiles though, but they are used widely in athletic clothing and equipment, such as the antimicrobal material used in the chamois of bicycling shorts.

[Brads_nky_yj]

He's a loooong time lurker Brandon, calm yourself hillbilly! lol

[Brandon_YJ]

Originally Posted by Brads_nky_yj

He's a loooong time lurker Brandon, calm yourself hillbilly! lol

Well you know me. It just caught me off guard that his join date was in 2005 and that was his first post. I wasn't trying to imply anything, not in the least.
I know I lurked on here for 6 months before even making my account, but this guy deserves an award!

Oh, hey! My family (me included) will be in Lexington from the 23rd until the 26th. If you and/or your old man get the inclination to head over that way, we could have a few drinks. We'll be staying at a hotel right where I75 and I64 cross.

[over2land]

Weird, I thought I've posted here before too. I joined all those years ago to put up some for sale posts or something.... Did the board change since I joined and I lost my post?

I was searching for consoles... I just dragged home a CJ-8 and was wondering if there was anything new and stumbled across this... I've 20-30 Jeeps, and consoles is kinda one of my pet peeves... short of the steering wheel, its the thing you use the most and I haven't looked since mid-summer when I was hunting for a TJ console.

Really weird that that was my first post... <shrugs> LOL Well there goes my lurker's seniority.

[Brandon_YJ]

Actually I believe there was an issue not too long ago where some people lost posts, you could have been a victim of that gremlin.
And you sir, have too many damned Jeeps!

[Marine_Mike]

Now Now Brandon... there's no such thing as too many jeeps...

[over2land]

Originally Posted by Brandon_YJ

Actually I believe there was an issue not too long ago where some people lost posts, you could have been a victim of that gremlin.
And you sir, have too many damned Jeeps!

Its weird cause like I said I could've sworn I posted on here before. No biggie... not like I had 1000s or even 100s of posts.

Oh, and I re-read my last post. I don't currently have 20-30 Jeeps... currently I only have like 9 or 10... I've had somewhere between 20 and 30 of em my whole life. Likely closer to 30 than 20...

But yeah, I agree, I've got too many... anyone in SoCal wanna buy a YJ? I need to sell one of mine... lol.