Broken arm rest

[Canuck2]

In the process of installing a Bluetooth system I managed to break the arm rest at the hinge. Anyone know if any of the explorers or Rangers had a better console system I could buy or find in a salvage yard, probably going to break it again, sure would like a full length console that uses the arm rest as the storage area as a lid.

 

[ForTheLoveOfMonkeys]

I know that my 99 XL 3.0 with 60/40 seats has an arm rest that acts as a compartment and that multiple years use the same design at least 1998-2000 that I can 100% confirm.

But I should warn you, they are somewhat of an annoyance themselves as they have common failures at the plastic interlocking mechanism and as they are completely plastic in construction they don't support much direct weight... like an elbow.

You can order one off of ebay for like $120 if memory serves, I think they're upgraded as well to be more durable. I've seen later models that incorporated a cupholder or phone rest.

I took my broken one apart and acetone welded the plastic back together and epoxied a thin sheet of mild aluminum to the back and it looks completely stock again but can hold up to much more punishment.

I believe that they should bolt in to the same system as the non-compartment arm rest and even if it's not 1:1 it should be an easy modification.

I've also seen posts around here about using an Explorer console as well.
Here's a link to a guy who kind of did a DIY to convert to this system. I would have done things a little differently but it seems to work for him and the video shows the compartment arm rest style I was talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-HpGDVdQM