QX 80 rear center console

[rameter]

Does anyone have an experience with the removal of the rear center console? I was told by the sales person that it cannot be removed? Is this right?

[marctronixx]

the sales person is ignorant.

it can be removed and several qx owners have removed them. its just bolts to the floor.

reasons for removing it is to gain easy access to the rear for a dog, for children to walk to the rear, and to add the bench seat.

[pete32500]

You need 25 min, screw driver with torx drive (not sure what is the size but it is a common one), size 10 metric socket and ratchet wrench (2-3" extension is helpful) plus some patience.

There are four torx screws that you can take out in 2 min. Pull the console straight up. Then you see two sharp brackets sticking out from the floor. Some people left them there but I would not do that if you care about your kids/pets feet.

Removing bracket requires above mentioned patience and the remaining 23 minutes. Start with the rear bracket, move the carpet out, notice that there is a velcro joint just aft of the rear bracket, locate the screw through the slot in the carpet and wiggle the socket to "grab" the screw and remove it. The screw has also a Philips feature but the Philips screw driver will not work. They are torqued pretty tight. There are two screws per bracket, one on each side. Some people sliced the carpet with utility knife to get easier access but this is not needed. Just stretch carpet a little bit to find that screw.

The trickiest part of this whole job is to remove the front bracket. Once you remove screws, pull the rear bracket out through the velcro joint between the second and third row seat. Do the same with the front bracket. I tried to pull through the slot in the carpet but it did not work for me.

Finally spend ~$100 on the Carpeted Center Mat (999E2-3XCC) in your interior color to cover these 4 holes and to protect your interior from these muddy feet that will be climbing there.

As a bonus now you have a console you can put in your living room, next to your sofa, with a place for remotes and soda .

My sales guy said that this is labor intensive and dealership charges good money for this removal but the bottom line is that anyone who knows how to turn the screwdriver and socket wrench can do this mod in 1/2 hr.

[ohyunjin]

Thanks Pete32500. This helped me out. i'm adding some pics to help others like me that like some photos.

NOTE: Easier to pull the brackets out from under the velcro connection between 2nd and 3rd row carpet.

The tools I used.
10mm socket, T20 Torx, razor


The brackets left after unscrewing the torx screws and taking out the console.


The screws holding down the brackets.


The bolt location:


Taking out the screw/bolt.


The brackets after taking them out. Bigger one is the one in the back.


Thanks for the instructions.

[windburn75]

Does anybody happen to know if once you remove the console, if you can just sit it back into place (not bolt down)? I carpool during the week, so the middle opening without the console would be nice, but for trips, summer and weekends, it would be nice to have. We just bought our QX80 and I'm not sure if I want to remove it or not!?!

Thanks in advance for any input you may have!

[marctronixx]

it will not stay in place without bolting down, but sure you can "sit" it in its place....