DIY: Jaguar XJS Console Wood

DIY: Jaguar XJS Console Wood

DIY time again! If you have an XJS, especially a convertible like mine, then your center console - or 'ski slope' as it is sometimes called - probably isn't what it once was. Turns out there are replacements being manufactured and I put one in. 

The rest of my car's interior was just about perfect, but the console was awful. It was a completely different color than the rest of the wood and it was just falling apart. I found a company called British Autowood on Facebook of all places that manufactured new units and even had options like replacing the dual ashtrays with cup holders. I contacted the guy and got him some good pictures of the rest of the wood in my car so he could match it. He sells complete wood kits as well, but all of my other wood was fine - I just needed the ski slope. 

Installation was a fairly simple swap:

When you lift up the arm rest there is a small cover with two small screws to remove. Lifting the cover will expose a single screw in the console.

Next, pop out the cigar lighter and the cruise control switch (if so equipped) and disconnect the wires. 

This exposes a small bolt on each side that just needs to be loosened. I believe it was a 10mm. Don't take it off, just loosen it enough to free up the bracket on each side of the console.

Now remove the screw that was accessed when the plastic cover was removed in step one. 

Next, lift up carefully and unplug the switches for the power windows and top (if equipped).

Next, simply lift up and slide out the console. It's not fastened at the front, just wedged under the stereo. You'll have to lift it over the gear knob but it's no problem. You can put the car in neutral if you have to but I don't recall needing to do that. Be careful with the switches and the rubber gear shift trim as you'll need them.

Here's what it looks like underneath. I took this opportunity to pull out years of items that had disappeared and also to tape up a few wires and vacuum the compartment out.

The new piece and the old piece. I opted for cup holders and also to replace the cigar lighter with a USB port for charging. I was surprised by the color difference but the new piece was a perfect match for the rest of the wood in my car.

Remove the rubber seal from the gear shift opening and work it into place on the new console. Mine was still in great shape so I just reused it. You can get a replacement if needed.

Sliding the new console into place is no big deal - it fit perfectly. However, if you go with the USB port, you do need to do a little wiring. It also creates a problem tightening the bolt that holds the console down on each side. The little round hole just doesn't leave you enough room to get a driver on it to tighten it. I tried everything and couldn't do it. Fortunately, it stays firmly in place with only the left side attached.  

I had to cut the bulb connector off and replace it with a standard crimp attachment. 

There you go. The third wire isn't needed so I just taped it up and tucked it away. These two connectors slide on the back of the new USB port.

Then you just slide the console in place and start working backwards. I attached the main screw loosely at first.

The cruise control just reconnects and pops right into place. I had a little trouble with the USB port though. After you connect the wires it basically just screws into a nut that's glued to the back of the console. As I was screwing it in, mine came off. I had to remove everything and super-glue the nut back in place and clamp it for about 24 hours. It held the second time, but you do need to be careful and don't torque it too much putting it in.

Then you can reattach the plugs for the windows and top and snap that assembly into place. 

Done! It looks great and fits great and wasn't too difficult to install.

And now I have cup holders and can charge two devices as well. It's not even that expensive so if you have a less than perfect ski slope, contact British Autowood and get a replacement.