2008 Honda Fit JDM Center Console Install and other mods

After searching through some Honda Fit forums, I stumbled across a mod for installing the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) center console into the North American Fit.  Its considerably nicer as it has an armrest storage area, as well as 2 cup holders for the rear that fold away, and the front cup holders can be removed to created a large storage space.  I found the center console on clearance on the College Hills Honda webpage for $250.  Hard to beat, as the only other source I found was in Canada and they wanted about $450 US.

 

 

The Fit was sadly lacking a second Aux 12V power port, so I decided to add my own since the JDM console had so much empty space inside.  I ordered a Marinco 12V marine grade socket and some Bussman Add a fuse adapters.  I wired this power port to the fuse box so it I wouldn’t run into any problems overloading the main power port circuit, and I also wired it to be hot even with the ignition off, that way I have the option of charging my phone or whatever while the vehicle is turned off.

 

I also wanted to retain the ability to easily remove the center console, so I installed a quick disconnect plug for the second power port.  Here’s the wiring layout below. I used some 18 gauge stranded wire from Radioshack and installed some cable tie anchors to tidy up the wiring.  I also added some of my own shoddy and constrained layer material to help quiet down the noisy Fit.

 

Here’s some pictures of how the center console looks in the car.  The armrest slides forward for comfort on those long Texas drives.

 

Here’s the front cup holder in and out.  I cut out a piece of black craft foam to help reduce any rattling from items in the cubby.

 

Here’s a view of the rear cup holder in detail and in the car.

 

Now that the center console was back in the car, I wanted to hardwire my new Garmin 295W into a switched connection in the fuse box.  I found an unused position and went ahead and wired up a Gilsson Direct Wire Cable from Garmin Nuvi.

 

Here’s the installation under the dash in the fusebox area.

 

Here’s the installed Nuvi, I set it up with enough length to be installed on the windshield, but I’m planning on using the bean bag friction mount, so I just put a loose knot in the wire under the dash to make it clean.

 

That’s it for the weekend of car mods.  I spent way too much time on it to make it look clean and professional.  You can’t even tell its not OEM…at least for this country