Replacement for cloth center console

Did you try calling your dealer? Doesn't seem like a part you can find easily yourself.

Or outfit your seats with leather too!

 

I highly recommend getting the Prius Hoods leather center console cover. I think it looks fantastic in BLACK. The black color is a nice contrast and picks up the other black colored items in the interior, e.g., the steering wheel and parts of the console, dash and doors. Here are two photos of it in my gray interior:

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20193&d=1259805465[/IMGLINK]

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20216&d=1259874092[/IMGLINK]

 

Boo where did you get the cover? I'm really interested. I have the grey interior not keen on black but then the exterior of my prius is black...

 

Is that cover full-on upholstery, or is it more akin to a sleeve that goes over the existing cover?

If it's just a cover, I would prefer finding one in white vinyl/leather...black is scalding hot when the sun hits it.

 

PriusHoods.com on eBay:

Toyota Prius Center Console Leather Cover Fits 04 - 09: eBay Motors (item 120581541014 end time Jul-10-10 06:30:09 PDT)

It goes over the existing upholstery like a slip cover, but if you wanted to use it to reupholster your center console cover, you could. I just don't know how to separate the top and bottom parts of the center console cover. But I don't think it's aesthetically necessary to do so for the Gen II center console cover because the leather folds/tucks underneath so it looks like reupholstery (unlike the Gen III center console cover where you can't just fold/tuck the leather underneath the cover).

I haven't found the black cover to be too hot, and I even have a sunroof on my car. But if you don't want black, it also comes in tan and gray.

 

I have some pictures posted of my conversion. I used a dark brown imitation ultra suede, pulled the lid and separated the top and inside. I glued this to the inside of the lid so if I ever want to I could just cut the tabs and have the original under neath it. Check my pictures.
ps. I also covered the front two door arm rests, pictures posted.

 

Hi CharlesJ,

A few of us studied your pictures, but we still couldn't figure out how you separated the top and inside bottom of the center console cover.

 

Once you have the lid off, I made the mistake of pulling out the whole center box as i didn't want to break anything on the lid but it comes off just by the 6 screws and a little persuasion, and turned over, you pry the lid to the sides at a number of places and it separates.
If you look at pictures 7, 8 and 12, you should see 3 tabs on each side, one in center and one almost at the ends of each sides. These tabs are between the 3 pair of parallel ribs that go all the way out to the sides and are on the sides of the lid.
Also, if you check picture 5, the center tab is or should be clearly visible between the parallel rib on the bottom of the picture, just by the new brown material.

 

I also took Tom's suggestion for the leather cover from Prius Hoods. I love it; give it a try....

 

Thanks CharlesJ!!! It's the old hidden tabs trick!

There was a bunch of us who studied the issue. We even checked out the Toyota Prius Service/Repair Manual chapter that included the center console, but there was nothing there.

EDIT: Thanks again CharlesJ. I've taken the liberty of adding your pictures 7, 8 & 12 and picture 5 below so people can see in one post the tabs and tab locations you're talking about:

CharlesJ's Pictures 7, 8 & 12:

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/charlesj-albums-center-console-cover-job-picture1162-back-one-side-glued-up.jpg[/IMGLINK]

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/charlesj-albums-center-console-cover-job-picture1161-cutting-fitting-inside-ribs-glued-contact-cement-brush-in-cap.jpg[/IMGLINK]

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/charlesj-albums-center-console-cover-job-picture1157-initiall-paper-pattern.jpg[/IMGLINK]

CharlesJ's Picture 5:

[IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/members/charlesj-albums-center-console-cover-job-picture1164-all-glued-in-place-fitting-lock-need-tripod-pictures.jpg[/IMGLINK]

 

I am glad that you did post it, much more talented on that aspect than me.
I guess my explanation of the locations worked. Great.

I like the ultra suede and the color.

The arm rest covers are just tucked in the slits and friction held in place except for the cutout for the finger grip. Needed two tries as the extra material, 1/4" was not enough.
Enjoy all.

 

CharlesJ,

I like the covers you put in too. I think they look great.

I was surprised to hear that for the door armrest covers, you just tucked the ultra suede into the slits. I had assumed you took the door panels off and reupholstered the armrest covers like you did the center console cover. It really does look like you had reupholstered them.

BTW, if you or anyone else ever feel compelled to actually reupholster the door armrest covers, loupitou06 prepared this great, illustrated, how-to pdf:

2005_Prius_Armrest_upgrade.pdf
.

 

I thought about pulling the panel but it was about 2 seconds

I made a pattern to the slits and added a 1/4"on the 1st attempt. Not enough so I added about 3/8"+ and I think I sewed the edges to give it strength there and something extra to resist a pull out.
I pulled that finger pull, easy, and tucked in the rest with a couple of different blades: a 2" speckling blade, thin; a canvas painters bent blade with rounded tip. May have posted pictures, not sure.

It is working, not pulling out so far, not on its own anyhow.

I checked my pictures and the blades are there in the other picture folder.
I think I tried to tuck the center console as well but it wouldn't do.

 

I know I'm bringing up this thread from the grave, but does anyone know where I can find the pictures to this? They have taken it down. I'm looking to replace or cover middle console and side door arm rests

 

Check out this thread:

Armrest covering | Page 2 | PriusChat