Any you thought there were no stupid questions

Does the console go on metal or on the carpet?

Over carpet since the carpet needs to cover the sides of the center tunnel. Otherwise you would have painted metal showing between the center tunnel & the floot mat carpets.

There is also a small bit of carpet that sists between teh center console and the armres/center seat. There is no carpet under the armrest/center seat.

Yep. Mark & HiFi are correct.

-Rusty

OK
and now the reason...

I'll have to buy my new carpet if I am going to before I install the unit

The console comes out pretty easily. You can install it now and get carpet later if you want to.

-Jeff