OEM armrest elbow question
 

Hello guys,

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Toyota lhd oem armrest for the GT86.

Since it's raised a few cms I was wondering if it interferes in any way with your elbow while you're changing gears.

I never thought about this until I drove a substitute Toyota Auris during my last service and my elbow kept banging against the armrest, granted it is much higher placed than our armrest, but we sit lower and our console is higher so I wanted to know from the few people who have installed it too.

I don't want to be more confortable driving with one hand and right arm resting in the armrest, I like both hands in the wheel and just briefly go to the gear lever, I do feel aesthetically the car has a hole in the middle and would like to put the armrest there but won't do it if interferes with usability.

Thanks in advance for your kind replies.
Best regards.

The part in question
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/medi...a-arm-rest.jpg

Use a book to simulate the arm rest and try it out. Not everyone drives the same or is shaped the same.

I don't have a arm rest, but I did some measuring and I would only use the front portion of the arm rest directly next to the parking brake boot. I used the door panel arm rest with my left hand on the steering wheel as reference for where my elbow would be on the right side. Shifting, the shifter is slightly further than the steering wheel(pulled closest to driver) so I would have plenty of clearance.

It doesn't interfere with your elbow at all. It's the same height as the armrest on the door, if that helps.

I was going to test it using some kind of plastic clip anyway, thanks for the idea.
First hand experience is always welcome

I have that arm rest and it doesnt interfere with my shifting.

Everybody is shaped differently. A lot of factors come into play here like how tall are you, how low do you sit, how long are your arms, do you shift overhand or gun grip, position of elbow when shifting, lazy driving or shifting like a race car, etc, etc. I agree with the suggestion of using a book to simulate the armrest height and how the the armrest would work for you.

I have a much taller armrest that only got in the way when shifting fast and enthusiastically during spirited mountain runs so I'd have to swing it out of the way. But I adapted and don't even lift the armrest out of the way anymore now.

I agree that gaping hole in the middle aesthetically needed to be filled with something.

Agree with others here - the OEM armrest/lid is perfect, should be stock fitment damn it.

I have been eyeing the armrest up too. Is it creaky at all?

-Josh

Nope. At least mine is not creaky!

One note to the OP, be CAREFUL when in installing. The rubber well/expansion nuts included with the kit (used to secure the armrest to the center console) are not very robust and can break easily. Do not over tighten or they will break. Just tighten enough so that the arm rest is not loose. One of the nuts broke during my installation and I've read about other people having the same problem. Other then that, real easy to install. Just take your time when drilling the holes.

Mine creaks while opening and closing it, but not at any other time. Other than that small nitpick, I love the OEM armrest.

+1

Tried putting some grease on the joint and that helped a bit but the hinge still creaks when I open and close.

Mine also creaks only during open/closing. It's of perfect hight to .. well, resting arm :), it's finish is OE and fits very well with rest of interrior. If i were to nitpick at something, imho it's main drawback that it opens to side, not to back, thus making console box unfomfortable to use for passenger. Otherwise - imho must have addition.
P.S.
I haven't tried alternative arm rests, but i guess if i find height of this just right, then those that are much thicker/higher, may have comfort position issues.