I realize this is an old post, but I just lost a credit card in the same location a couple of weeks ago. It took me a while to find this post, but the suggestions given here helped me get it out in less than an hour. For those who only want a summary of the options, here they are in the order I tried them:
1. Pull the glove box down and look for the item in the narrow opening. (5-10 min)
2. Remove the six bolts from the console and slide it forward several inches to find the item. (30-35 min)
Option 1:
@pbtjrlmrt - I tried the glove box method and I could not see my credit card in the narrow opening behind the center console. I stuck my hand in there and fished around and I was able to feel the card. Since I could barely reach it with the tips of my fingers, I was finally able to maneuver it towards me enough to see it. Once I could see it, I got a pair of long needle nose pliers, but I could not turn them in the tight space to get a hold of the card. Using my two fingers again, I tried pulling on the card, but instead of it coming out cleanly, it fell further down behind the console.
This method will only work if the item is on the passenger side and you can reach it from the glove box opening. If you can see your card and safely remove it, the whole process will take 5-10 minutes. If you cannot see it or it falls behind, go to option 2.
Option 2:
@The Car Stereo Company - I followed a Youtube video showing a guy removing the center console from a 2020 F250, which is the same configuration, tools and process as my 2018 Raptor. I removed the 7mm bolt holding the driver side trim piece and pulled it off. I removed the trim piece at the top and then, removed the three 10mm bolts on the driver side. You have to slide the seat all the way backwards and forwards to get at the side bolts, but it is not necessary to remove either seat. Do the same thing on the passenger side, but there is no 7mm bolt holding the lower trim piece.
Scroll to the 8:40 mark for the removal:
Once the console was loose, I followed the advice of The Car Stereo Co and just slid it back several inches without disconnecting any wires. From the passenger side, I could see the area in the middle of the lower dash and my credit card was laying on the carpet.
This is how far I moved it back:
After I retrieved my card, I slid the console back into place and reversed the steps to install the bolts and trim pieces.
This method will work regardless of where the item has fallen, but you might have to go in from the drivers side if the item has landed on that side of the console. The whole process took me about 45 minutes which included taking pictures.
After seeing how easy it was with options 1 and 2, I would not have been happy about being charged $300 for 3 hours worth of labor, because there is nothing that should have taken them that long to remove an item from behind the sliding door. I hope this helps others like
@PNW_AJ who have lost items, as it is bound to happen at some point due to the design of the center console.