My idea for a center arm rest / console cover / center cup holder
 

I know it looks like shit, I drew it with microsoft paint... and I'm not an artist by any means, but wanted to get input on what you guys thought about this arm rest. I like this, I'm going to build it for myself. Just wanted some input. Be easy, I wear my feelings on my sleeve... well not really, but still, constructive criticism only please.

Tried to resize the pic... dont know how to do it from an original post. Sorry for the big ass picture guys.

*moderator, can you resize?

I like it! Someone make it!

I am going to make it. Of course it will blend better in actuality... I was just trying to give a rough design of what I picture in my mind that "some" of us would want that NO ONE is building.

Omg this is what I would want! I posted on some of the armrest threads a while back suggesting the possibility of hinged armrests opening towards the rear. Keep us updated! Be sure to make it high and cushioned enough :D

Yes. Just like that flip up one that never got developed. I'm guessing it just accommodates the factory cupholders?

I prefer if it opened up with the blue hinges, but honestly I would buy it no matter where you put the hinges.

I was actually going to take a level and measure height of door armrest and have it level to those and match it cushioning. Are you thinking more cushioned than those? I need input before I build it. So all info and input is welcomed.

I'm actually going to only use one cupholder for the center. It will be molded part of the complete assembly. That slider factory thing will not be part of this at all. If someone uses my design they can take that thing and keep it for later use or throw it away or whatever.

The purpose of this is to NOT have to cut or modify the car. Not a fan of drills and cutting something you want to preserve. Also, this will be removable for the guys trying to save weight on track days and what not.

u cud easily jus use 3M to attach the hinges and it'd b jus as strong as screws on something so small

Oh yea... 3M or velcro, although velcro is messy. I prefer 3M. But I'm going to market these in 2 different designs. One would not need 3M, the other will.

I would like to see one like that but reversed... cup holder up front with just enough room to plug in a car charger if needed and a hinged arm rest on the back half. This would make the cup holder more accessible and the arm rest wouldnt be able to bang into it

YES! That would actually give me a descent amount of space in that center console:D

Excellent idea. Let us know if you have any intentions of becoming a vendor and producing these for us.

If not I better get started on one for myself!

Edit: Seriously how hasn't anyone done this yet?! I wonder if it's due to cost. I'm determined to make mine for cheap and wrap it with Alcantara. Hard part will be finding the appropriate red thread to stitch this bad boy.

How much longer til you make it??! Super excited to see this!

I really like this one because it looks so cushioned and not flat like the hinged one on the forums a while back:

www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23102

However I realize that the higher it is, the less clearance it has to open up at the rear. Unless you have a different idea as to how you're going to go about it?

It will have all kinds of space. And removable for track days without emptying it you will be able to leave the contents inside the console! :)


I can't try it... might lose front lighter accessory or move it to a new location.


I am going to build this even if its just for me. But if people want one I will build it and be a vendor should you guys want me to. And I'd warranty my workmanship and fix shit other people forget once they have ur money. I hate companies like that.


I am going to start buying all the stuff I need to do it this week. I'm hoping to have it built very soon and I will show case progress and DIY in case anyone wants to try my set up.

I like the idea, keep us posted. It will look nice with the material and padding wrapped around the hole for the cup-holder too.

I most certainly will. I cant wait to build this thing. All the push from you guys is giving me motivation! :party0030:

How about this?

All sizes are pending proper measurement. Need to know what should I use for cupholder diameter. 20oz bottle of coke? McDonalds large cup? Existing cup diameter from scion insert? I can try to use those flat foam inserts to hold multiple size bottles or cups and fold down as you insert the bottle or cup. Similar to the pic. See the slits in the cup holder and they fold down as the different size of cup or bottle is put in.

I think the foam looks kinda tacky. The OEM size should be fine. Fast food places intentionally fit their cups on the bottom to the same size as 20oz bottles so they will fit in cup holders.

Thanks for the input sir. I too think they are tacky. Just trying to get all my design points in a row before I build prototype. I'll just use diameter of the stock cup holder unit. :thumbsup:

Just like that with the green himges in back would be amazing

Meh.... I suppose I could build it this way too... lol. Jerk! Making me change up my design! Whose building this wagon any way... me or you!!! LOL, jk.

Yea I thought about that, only reason I didnt is because of the loss of the ability to remove it. Like this you might have to adjust your lighter position so that you dont lose funcionality of it. I'm going to play around, might build it all 4 ways and try them all out. If I build 4 of them I might discount the first four to the first 4 people, but it would have to be contingent on you trying other ones just to get a good honest feel for whats best for the COMMUNITY. Obviously they would be built to suit though.

:bow: lol

i figure opening from the far back would be safest for me at least cause i have this feeling the girlfriend would be like oooo let me put stuff in there and and if the hinge is on the side she'd be like hmm i think it's stuck and rip it off. Having the hinge on the right side would be most convenient for the driver though. This is why they should've just built one in and made this decision for us lol

Yea, I agree. lol


Well I am ordering all the materials this week. I'll be putting together a list of all the stuff I use and how I built it. That way if anyone wants to try they can. But I'd build it if people wanted to order it from me. Cant wait to get the first one done. I'm going to try to build 2 at the same time. One with cup holder in the back and the other with cup holder in the front.

It seems like this design would lose a lot of space, and the elbow probably won't reach it when holding the shifter huh?

Yep... could work. Not sure til I got everything in place and tested it out.

I personally don't like this design. Sure the cupholder is closer to grab, but it's also right where your elbow is when you shift. I only use the cupholder all the way in the back for this exact reason. It would be perfect for anyone with an AT.

I like the cup holder in the back too because its out of the way. But I would build it both ways and give the option to the user.

There's always those cup holders on the side of the door though, right? =P

I like the cup holder in the back. Putting it in the front makes the arm rest impossible to use if your hand is on the shifter. And I can't think of any way you could make this interchangeable so you could have both options.

Might work for the A/T Guys, but I prefer it in the back and out of the way myself. But I'm going to attempt both ways.:iono:

I'm slowly working on something like this of my own. Unfortunately I'm struggling to visualize the process of covering it in fabric and sewing it properly to hide all seams. Especially with the cupholder cutout where I'll have to tuck the fabric.

If anyone has any tips, let me know!

I'm going to follow the stitch pattern from the steering wheel. The diamond shaped stitch.

So I made the skeleton of my arm rest and had my upholstery shop make it look pretty. Sort of. I'm now in the process of making it look factory fresh. Then I can find the right hinges and put this thing to work. My interior should be looking VERY different by the end of next month :)

http://i.imgur.com/I0h6UrK.png



FYI: Unless you're willing to put in a good amount of time and a better amount of money, one of the already available armrests from @Sportsguy83 is easily the right way to go. In hindsight, those armrests are actually quite a bargain.

i end um wresting my right my hand on the e brake

Not bad sir! Not bad at all! :happy0180:

I have just a little twist on how I am going to do mine. Going to start on mine next week. I will post photos.

Thanks man!

What kind of hinge(s) are you planning to use? I don't like the cheapo Legacy hinge I used on mine anymore. I need something more stealthy. Currently the arm rest needs to sit a bit higher in the hinge side and I don't like that at all. NOT factory fresh.

If you are good at picturing things, I can PM you and give you a little explanation on how I am going to do mine. Not sure if folks will like it, but that doesnt matter, as long as its functional for what I want. If folks like it then I'll build or help build them one.