Lock Your Crap Up
Let’s be honest: if you’re driving a YJ, your “interior storage” is basically a suggestion. You’ve got a glove box that barely holds a registration and a floorboard that eats loose change. I just finished a retrofit on my son Brandon’s Jeep using the Rampage Deluxe Locking Console, and while the materials aren’t exactly aerospace-grade, the result is a massive upgrade for any YJ owner.
If you’re tired of your sunglasses flying out the door every time you take a turn, here is the blunt truth on the Rampage install.
🛒 Grab the Gear: Rampage Products Deluxe Locking Center Console
The Hardware: Rampage Deluxe Locking Console
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it—this thing is a “budget” buy. The build quality is a bit thin, and the instructions are so low-res they look like a leaked government document from 1974. However, it’s a hell of a lot better than having nothing.
Technical Specs at a Glance:
- Dimensions: 27.25″ L x 8.75″ W x 12.5″ H (Fits perfectly between YJ seats).
- Storage: 4 Cup Holders (2 front adjustable, 2 rear), pivoting sunglass holder, and a coin organizer.
- The “Cooler”: Includes a removable 6-pack cooler insert (though it likes to roll around).
- Security: Keyed entry for the main compartment and a hidden storage area for CDs or small valuables.
The “Hold My Beer” Tech Specs
We didn’t just follow the crappy manual. To make this thing actually stay put in a vibrating YJ, we had to go off-script.
1. Leveling the Playing Field
The transmission housing on the YJ is a nightmare for universal mounts. We had to find the sweet spot that kept the console level while still leaving enough room for passengers to tuck their feet under the mount.
2. The Shift Test
Crucial Step. Before you drill, sit in the seat and run through the gears. There is nothing worse than mounting a console only to realize you can’t hit 2nd or Reverse without smashing your knuckles. We measured 8 inches from the back edge to keep the stick clear.
3. The Rivet Hack
Rampage sends you a handful of mismatched screws. I ignored them. I redrilled the bracket holes and used a rivet gun for the mounting plate. Rivets don’t vibrate loose like cheap sheet metal screws do in a Jeep floor.
The Forensic Breakdown: Is it Worth It?
The Good:
- Ergonomics: The padded armrest is a massive comfort upgrade over the bare YJ floor.
- Theft Deterrent: It has a lock. Is it a vault? No. A determined thief with a screwdriver could pop this in ten seconds. But it keeps “honest people honest” and stops your gear from walking away at a red light.
The Bad:
- Build Materials: It’s vinyl-wrapped MDF/plastic. It’s not heavy-duty steel.
- The Latch: Out of the box, the latch didn’t even line up. We had to bend the strike plate just to get it to lock properly.
The Bottom Line
Would I put this in a high-end show rig? Absolutely not. But for a daily driver, a kid’s first Jeep, or a trail rig where you just need a place to put your soda and keep your registration dry? It’s a solid buy. It serves a purpose, it looks decent once it’s bolted down, and it costs a fraction of the high-end security boxes.
Watch the full “How-To” and see the rivet gun in action here: Review and Install Jeep Locking Center Console from Rampage