I just installed a Lock’er Down Model 2026X Console Safe in my 2012 Raptor. Lock’er Down designed the Model 2026X Console Safe for 2012 F150’s that have the mid-year console design change. Lock’er Down also makes the Model 2026 to fit the 2009 to early 2012 F150’s with the original console and is also developing a new model to fit the late 2012 Superduty console change.
I was offered this product as an alternative to the Model 1026 Console Vault which needs to be modified in order to fit the new style F150 consoles. Since I had modified and installed the Console Vault previously (see my post here:
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f93/console-vault-heads-up-13095/), Bobby from Lock’er Down asked me to provide a comparison of the two products.
Packaging:
The Lock'er Down safe arrived very nicely packaged with one minor exception – the threaded parts of the side supports rubbed against each other and some of the powdercoating was damaged. Lock’er Down is aware of the issue and is making changes to their packaging methods.
Although the powedercoating was damaged, it is not noticeable since these areas are not visible once the safe is installed.
From what I remember, the Console Vault was shipped with the components in some plastic sheeting or bags and a few square feet of heavy brown paper to keep things from bouncing around. Since there was no damage, I didn't really pay too much attention to how it was packaged.
Materials:
Without removing the powdercoating, there was no way for me to precisely measure the thickness of the steel used in either product, but the Lock’er Down appears much thicker. I’ll just leave you with some pictures of components of both products. In side-by-side pictures, the Console Vault is on the left and the Lock’er Down is on the right.
The hinge on the Lock’er Down appears to be stainless and is not powdercoated, whereas Console Vault powdercoats theirs. The springs are a bit heavier on the Console Vault which lightly pops the lid open after you release the lock. The springs on the Lock’er Down just provide enough support for the weight of the lid but allow it to stay closed when the lock is released.
Fit:
As of this writing (7/9/2012) Console Vault continues to advertise that their Model 1026 fits “Ford F150 Flow Through Floor Console: 2009 – 2012” when in actuality, it will not fit the mid-year change that Ford made to some F150 center consoles. I was not able to install the 1026 in my 2012 Raptor without first modifying the passenger’s side support bracket. Some of the sellers have noted this in their ads, but the Console Vault website has yet to be updated.
The Lock’er Down Model 2026X was designed specifically to fit the F150 flow through floor console with the mid-year change. I was able to install it in my 2012 Raptor (with the mid-year change) cleanly, without having to modify anything.
Both companies utilize an “X” brace to keep the bottom of the side supports spread out. However, the Console Vault brace fits extremely tight and requires significant force to install properly. The Lock’er Down design allows you to install the brace easily and doesn’t mar the powdercoat finish.
Finish:
Console Vault rolls the edges of their lids where Lock’er Down does not. Lock’er Down has indicated that this isn’t necessary since they use thicker metal.
Customer Service:
After receiving the Console Vault Model 1026 and realizing that it would not fit my console, I contacted customer service and was told they would research the issue and let me know what they discovered. I spoke with one of the owners, Scott, and he told me that regardless of what they discovered, they would “take care of me.”
After more than six weeks of not hearing anything back from Console Vault, I contacted them to see if they had made a decision regarding a redesign. Their response was to send me an RMA so that I could return my vault. BUT since I had purchased it through BakFactoryOutlet, I would have to pursue a refund through them and Console Vault was out of the picture. I didn’t really feel like that was being “taken care of.”
I gave it some thought and decided it couldn't be too difficult to modify the passenger’s side support bracket to work with the new Ford console design. I took a few measurements, grabbed a cut-off wheel and began the minor modifications.
After making the modifications, I cleaned up the rough edges, applied some flat black paint, and bolted everything together. I even sent Console Vault the measurements and some pictures of how I modified the support bracket but they have yet to reply.
Shortly after I posted my experiences on a few F150 enthusiasts’ sites, I was contacted by Bobby from Lock’er Down with some options. Since then, I have been very pleased with the customer support and service from Lock’er Down.
Summary:
Both products are extremely similar in design and application, with each having its own pluses. I think, for me though, the tipping point is with the customer service experience. Follow-through and responsiveness will get my business every time.
If anyone has any specific questions about my experience with either product, send me a PM and I'll do my best to answer your questions.