How I replaced my 96 console with a 98 Console:  

I first have to give credit to these guys for the how-to that made this project very easy: http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/30079/index.html

The 96 Mustang console has a single flimsy "transformer" cup holder and an ashtray.  In 98, Ford replaced the console ash tray with a pair of cup holders.  I managed to find a nice 98 console on Ebay, and bought it.

Since I had had my reverse lockout switch hidden under the ash tray cover in the 96 console, I needed to relocate the switch for the 98 console.  I decided to put a new switch into the shift boot bezel.  In order to do that, I needed to pull the shift knob and the shift boot/bezel.

Here is the new pushbutton switch I chose.  It required a rectangular hole be cut into the shift boot bezel.

The console bin is removed by pulling the two front rubber bumpers which gives access to two screws.  After that, the bin just pulls right out.

Next the 96 console needed to be removed.  The two screws under the shift boot bezel must be removed along with the two screws that are under the bottom of the console bin.  The main console wiring connector also has to be unplugged.  the fog light switch and the switch I put in to switch between my iPod and radio also needed to be unplugged.

The console can be removed at this point.  Here are pictures of the two consoles side by side.

I decided to use the 96 bin in the 98 console in order to have a total of three cup holders.  This required a bit of Dremel tool cutoff wheel work to make the 96 bin front clear the power outlet in the 98 console.

The 96 bin needs a bit of extra clearance at the front of the hole in the console, so more work with the Dremel with the cutoff wheel.  The 96 cup holder requires cutting some slots in the front of the armrest so the holder will drop down to sit level when pulled out.  I also needed to clearance the 98 latch mechanism so the bin would set down around it.  The power socket in the 96 shift boot bezel has a spade-lug connector, so I replaced the 98 power socket connector with an insulated spade lug connector.  This is because the 98 shift boot bezel had had the shift boot removed.

After the bin fit and the 96 cup holder worked well, I put the controller box for the PLX DM200 OBD2 gauge into the console between the metal bracket and the plastic side of the console.  Then I reinstalled the console, plugged in the main connector and the fog light and iPod switches. I wired up the reverse lockout timer switch.

I replaced the shift boot and bezel and replaced the shift knob, and all was done.