The Console Vault in-vehicle safe is your best option for securely storing your handgun or valuables in your truck or SUV. Constructed of heavy gauge steel, each Console Vault is easy to install and features either a keyed lock or a combination lock. Best of all, these appear to be factory-installed and require no modification of your center console.
My daily driver is a Ford F-150 Lariat. This truck has a large center console with a basic locking mechanism. However, the entire thing is made out of plastic with a leather covered top. Although it can be locked it doesn’t provide much security. I had been considering various options to increase security when I watched a news show here in Houston with the headline, “Thousands of guns stolen in Houston during car burglaries.” Interestingly, a local ATF agent stated that the thieves drive around at night looking for gun stickers on trucks. That is when I contacted the good guys at Console Vault.
Selecting the proper model safe is simple. Enter Make, Model, and Year and a screen pops up with photos of the different console types. Select your console and lock mechanism and you are done!
There are three types of locks available. A keyed barrel lock, three digit combination, and four digit combination. I went with the four digit combination lock (which is a minor up-charge). The lock is easily changed to your personal combination.
A couple of days later Federal Express delivered the Console Vault to my door. I opened the box, examined the contents, and read the instructions.
The first step was to clean out and organize the contents of my center console. Quite frankly, this step took as long as the installation! Following the instructions, I quickly had the Console Vault installed in my F-150. It probably took me about twenty minutes and that was being careful. Truthfully, I think I could install one in a similar F-150 in five minutes now that I know the procedure. It really is simple and requires minimal tools. You lay the base plate in the bottom of the console, drop in the top, secure eight fasteners (two nuts front and rear, two screws on each side), and you are done! Of course, each vehicle will be a slightly different installation.
Important to note that the Console Vault is non-destructive to your factory center console. This is a fantastic solution for company vehicles or leased vehicles as you can easily remove the unit and return to stock.
I feel much better about leaving valuables in my truck now. Not that I advocate this practice, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. For example, if you conceal carry but need to enter a school or post office and must leave your handgun in the vehicle. Or, you park your truck at a remote boat ramp while you go fishing for the day. I sure do feel a lot better knowing my valuables are protected.
The Console Vault safe can secure more than pistols. Cell phones, iPads, wallets, watches – pretty much anything. My truck had a rubber mat in the bottom of the console but you could also choose to install convoluted foam, carpet, felt, whatever fits your purpose.
How secure is the Console Vault? The vault itself is made of heavy duty 12 gauge steel construction. Mine has a four digit combination lock. Can a determined thief with a crowbar, hammer, cut-off grinder, and time compromise it? Of course. Your 800 pound floor safe is not nearly as secure as you would like to think it is (did you watch the delivery guy wheel it in on his powered floor jack using one hand?). However, it is all about layers of barrier. A thief will have to get past the alarm, the door lock, the factory locking console lid, and then the Console Vault. Let’s put it this way, I feel safer with it than without it. It certainly prevents the casual opportunist – valet, neighborhood kids – from easily stealing your weapon.
The Console Vault is inexpensive protection for your valuable firearms.
Console Vault
Mike Coker
Latest posts by Mike Coker (see all)
- WATCHTOWER Firearms acquires F-1 Firearms - February 21, 2024
- Benchmade Mini Barrage and Mini Adamas - October 25, 2023
- trigalight announces new knife illumination system - August 10, 2023
3-28-23
Purchased a Ford Superduty equipped with a victory installed console vault safe. Was shopping at Bass Pro on I-10 in San Antonio, thieves broke into truck and into safe and stole large sum of cash and in less than a minute were gone, using a common vise grip Pliar. Twisted the drivers side door barrel latch with the vise grip and it opened right up. Proceeded to put vice grip plier on radial combination lock knob on top of safe door and twisted the knob, overpowering lock resistance thereby allowing full access to the contents of the safe.
Wow. I’m under no illusions about security but I’m surprised about how easy they got into your truck.
Thieves in San Antonio broke into my 2018 F150 twice in Hilton Hotels parking lots. First time got a gun, second time just the broken door. I chain my steering wheel to the drivers side door and put signs in both windows. “No hay armas ya las robaron”. “No guns already stolen”. Not perfect but maybe will slow down doors damage. F150’s are targeted around San Antonio but you know this is just going to go nationwide.
I liked the James Bond method.. they break the window and the car explodes 🙂
I’m happy with mine so far. Gives me some piece of mind from valets and neighborhood kids. I’m sure a determined thief could bust it open but it adds one more layer of security to defeat. Also nice to have when visiting families with small children I can quickly secure my pistol and not have to worry.
Be very careful with this. Thief got into my combination lock vault with extreme ease. I have photos. Just got a screwdriver beneath the lock and popped it up. Then lock turns with no combo or issue. My gun was stolen this week and it had to take only a minute or so for the thief. I am hoping that the key lock is more secure, but BEWARE.