measure it and then search Ebay and pepboys. I saw a small one there .

 

+1 for a heavy duty plastic bag of some kind or a liner. just remove and dump the old ice/water when done!

 

This is something that seems to be discussed but probably never really done done. First of all, you have to be willing to empty out the console of everything since you can't put anything else in a cooler because of the water. That's a lot of storage space go give up for drinks. It seems, to me, that you would have to need a lot of cold drinks stored in the cab on a daily basis to justify that. Emptying the water and cleaning would be a lot more difficult than an ice chest. An ice chest is also much bigger, cheaper, portable, and can be stored in the bed. Finally, any leaks of that much water is going to cause a mess or, even worse, short something out. There's also a 12v power jack in there.

So, my conclusion is that the Tundra console is not a good place, at all, for a cooler. It would be more convenient to put one just about anywhere else. I invite anyone to post a pic here to prove me wrong.

 

..........
So, my conclusion is that the Tundra console is not a good place, at all, for a cooler. It would be more convenient to put one just about anywhere else. I invite anyone to post a pic here to prove me wrong.

:blabla::blabla::blabla:...dang dude! Give the man break and help him dream. I think it could work if you got some sheets of styrofoam/insulation to fit inside and line it with an impervious liner, maybe doubled for insurance. It would be good for a short to medium trip. At that size it shouldn't weigh more than 5 lbs. Go for it!

 

If all you want is a couple cans or bottles of water, just use the plastic hanger that sits where the file holder is. put the cans/bottles in then some ice and you can just take it out and dump when you arrive.

 

Keep in mind that directly under that center console is the Air Bag negative Velocity trigger for front impact collisions.

 

Too much electric in that area for my taste

 

Caddy-O Soft Cooler with Dual iCube 2 pk. - Blue : Target This looks small enough to fit in and could probably hold a couple cans of coke or beer.

Ryan

 

Like I said - plenty to discuss but will not happen. Can we get a section called "Mods that will never happen"? I will be happy to moderate the stimulating and speculative discussions that will ultimately result in nothing. We can also get a group purchase going for styrofoam coolers. :loco:

 

You'd have to worry about condensation dripping down to whatever is below. Would be sweet to insulate the storage area and put in a removable liner that can attach to a drain that runs out the bottom of the truck. Would be even better if it were electric cooled like some coolers are now.

I was thinking this exact same thing. having a cooler that could plug into the power connector inside, that would be kinda slick, especially if there was still room left to put some junk in there and be able to close the top.

Some 60mil plastic will get rid of the issue with condensation dripping. but doing some 1" or even 1/2" rigid foam insulation around the outside of it would help too. Could even fab up a little lid as well. :thumb:

 

I was thinking this exact same thing. having a cooler that could plug into the power connector inside, that would be kinda slick, especially if there was still room left to put some junk in there and be able to close the top.

Cool idea.... I like that. No Ice and still have room for "stuff".

 

12V MINI COOLER/WARMER ROADPRO® - eBay (item 110076783077 end time May-31-08 18:04:41 PDT)


Looks like it should fit.

 

Like I said - plenty to discuss but will not happen. Can we get a section called "Mods that will never happen"? I will be happy to moderate the stimulating and speculative discussions that will ultimately result in nothing. We can also get a group purchase going for styrofoam coolers. :loco:

It would not be the first vehicle with an electric cooler in the center console, my Landcruiser for example had one. Using it for cooling purposes, doesn't mean you can't put other stuff in and if you switch the cooler off it is still a normale storage area.

 

It would not be the first vehicle with an electric cooler in the center console, my Landcruiser for example had one. Using it for cooling purposes, doesn't mean you can't put other stuff in and if you switch the cooler off it is still a normale storage area.

I think you should call and have the hospital on stand buy when you shock your self from the plug in that's inside the console. Why would you want a cooler in your truck when you can buy one put the ice in it you have no drain plug in there.

 

I think you should call and have the hospital on stand buy when you shock your self from the plug in that's inside the console. Why would you want a cooler in your truck when you can buy one put the ice in it you have no drain plug in there.

For extended trips where you don't have an icemaker within a hundred miles. I don't think I'd use the center console for it for the same reasons, but I'd seriously consider a Coleman 12v or the ARB 12v 33 qt., although the ARB is ridiculously expensive at around $600 whereas the Coleman PowerChill runs around $100.

 

The cooler/warmer cools drinks, sandwiches, salads and medicine to 45°F

Not exactly ice-cold. Plus, you probably need to have it in an open space so that the heat can dissapate for it to dissapate. It's a no-go. It probably works better as a food warmer.

The only way that anyone is going to have a cooler in their center console is by using ice packs in a plastic grocery bag. You could just put that on the floor or under the seat if you're going to do that. Nobody is their right mind is going to put ice in their center console. It's not insulated so it won't keep heat out. There are electronics nearby and if you fry them, how are you going to explain such a dumb move? Please show me a pic of ANYONE doing that and I will shut up.:nerd:

 

Well I know a company waeco that manufactures build in compressor coolers/freezers. The problem is that the units they produce are still too big for the tundra console. Basically my question was whether someone knows another manufacturer that has a similar product in a smaller size. No need to talk me in icebags or whatever else. I now have a waeco box which stays in the truck, but when i travel with the family it just takes too much space.
We use it for cooling/freezing and during trips it stays on during the night as a permanent cooler. Also the compressorunit has a very low power consumption and it has a battery protection function that prevents the battery from being discharged.

 

What about something in the spot a toolbox would go in the bed? In fact, what about straight up converting a toolbox to be an electric fridge? If you want it bad enough...

 

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to let you know I'm converting the console of a 2012 tundra into a cooler for a customer of mine right now. I'll try to post some pics when the conversion is complete.

 

Okay, so I drew my inspiration from KIA. I used to own an optima turbo sx. One of the neatest features was a drink chiller in the glove box. To implement this they tied into the existing AC and had a simple open close valve inside the glovebox itself. I never used it too much because it could only hold 1 drink. If I had only one drink, I was going to be drinking it.
Now for the Tundra... the air runs directly below and to the back of the center console. This is all just plastic venting. So what must be done is removal of the glove box, a hole drilled into the glovebox plastic interior and into the vent itself. Install a piece of pvc between the two to create a passage way for air to enter and put a twist knob/damper on the end, (this can be found at an RV outlet.) Then just turn on the AC to the rear, open your vent and boom! Chilled drinks!