#ThreadResurrection
Tip from recent install. As many noted previously, the bottom bracket is bent making the front bolts too short. The bracket is installed under the console, but: It’s not held in place up front. You can do this by yourself.
Position the bracket as described in the previously mentioned video:
https://www.americantrucks.com/e-g-center-console-lock-vault-1517.html
If 2 of the 4 bolt holes are lined up, celebrate your awesomeness with a pint. After the pint, with the console lid and safe lid opened, from the rear of the cabin, standing , assume a position standing over the center console, lid open, similar to ... well... something you might do with your wife. Apologies ladies, not sure how to explain it for y’all.
My wife interrupted me during this process. I’m pretty sure I talked my way out of any serious trouble.
Using your left foot, press on the metal bracket and the front of the bracket will lift up, almost miraculously making the front bolts fit-ish. Start, but do not fully tighten the bolts up front.
Celebrate that you are skilled at left foot braking and your enhanced awesomeness with another pint.
Now that the 2 rear holes are out of alignment you can
- hog out the holes you drilled in the plastic to give yourself more room
- from the front seat, angle the still loose console because you haven’t tightened the front bolts yet
- both
Start the bolts in the rear
Once you’re sure you haven’t x-threaded anything tighten things up, slowly but surely.
Reassemble in the reverse order you disassembled.
Upon completion, you should have no more than one extra bolt and all in it’s a 2 pint job, tops.