from the bottom of the console to the edge of the lid but I'm sure you could do that to. Th problem with anything below the "box" part of it is that you have 3 screws(I think) that keep the console in place and there is hardly any room below that. When I ran my speaker wire and RCA's there, I had to weave between where the screws are and even after removing the console, I can see I ever so slightly pinched the RCA's. The only thing I would think you'd be gaining in cutting the bottom out a little is for running wire.
