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with Bill Johnston
Tuffy Samurai Security Console Installation
I like to be able to park anywhere and be sure that my valuables are safely locked away in the rig. My convertible Samurai has a canvas top and a plastic glove box that a good Buck knife could open in a heartbeat… See a problem?
Tuffy Security Products debuted their Samurai Security Console in Moab earlier this year making us all run for our checkbooks! It was a perfect fit for an installation between the stock seats… oops…
Many of us had already replaced our stock seats with the popular (wider) racing seats that you see in many of the vehicles at IZook and in print magazines. This posed a problem. Tuffy listened to our need and responded with a security console identical in just about every way – except skinnier! This console measures a scant 5.125″ across and fits easily between the larger seats. The heavy duty padded armrest, pry-proof door and dual cup holder with choice of two mounting positions are the same as in the original unit.
Although the console has been redesigned with the larger seats in mind it doesn’t mean that you are out of luck if you still have comfortable stockers. As you can see on the right, it fits nicely there too!
You can see the mounting holes that allow you to secure this unit to the floor in the picture to the left. You can also see the removable ‘storage cup’ that can be used for keys, change or just about anything else that you don’t want lost in the bottom of the unit. No matter how much we clean out the car, there is always ‘important stuff’ that ends up getting stashed in the console so you don’t lose track of it. Now that wheel lock socket won’t get lost in the shuffle! The key lock is shown on the right. This is not your common ‘everybody’s gas cap key fits it’ kind of lock. It is a heavy duty cylindrical lock and it comes with two keys. Store one in a safe place (not inside the unit…) because if you lose the other you will have a nice armrest and nothing more. Remember this is called a Security Console…
The console comes with neoprene weatherproofing strips that will make the unit more water resistant. Following the directions that come with the console will lead you through short, step by step instructions that describe exactly where to put the strips. The photo on the left shows my eight year old daughter helping with the cutting and placement chores. Pardon the clich, but ‘even a child can do it’! This also gives the door a solid feel when shutting and locking the unit.
To the left you can see the final seal being applied. You can also see the unique locking mechanism. With the door shut and locked, it makes the lid virtually pry-proof. If a thief really wanted to get into the console, any lock would only serve to slow him down, but this lock would make him revert to using a torch because there is no easy way to get in with a pry bar.
Here you can see the two mounting positions for the dual cup holder. In front it sits right next to the emergency brake, in back the drinks sit side by side across the rear of the unit. You also have the option to purchase a second dual cup holder if you are really thirsty, or have kids in the optional Suzuki backseat.
Here you see the dual cup holders mounted to the front of the console. These cup holders can handle anything from a one liter cola bottle to your favorite ‘koozy’ filled with your choice of beverage. They are also of a steel construction so they are just as ‘tuff’ as the console itself.
08/11/10 15:04
