Prototype cupholder replacement designs...
 

I was just sitting In my car looking at the dual cupholder unit and thought... why hasn't anyone made custom or replacement versions of these yet???

I had about four or five ideas pop into my head instantly thinking about it... ill do some photoshopping tonight when I get home from work but I figured I'd start this post now to get peoples noggins going about this.

Update: 4 quick photoshops for ideas...

1. Triple cup holder. More sturdy than the dual cup holders.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ecupholder.jpg

2. Single cupholder with concealed tray. Simple design with flip open storage area.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...cupholder1.jpg

3. Slide open tray. Can include one or more cupholders.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...lidingtray.jpg

4. Single cup holder with sliding armrest. Basically slides back and forth for better placement of the armrest and for when you want it out of the way. Can keep the rear cupholder there when slid forward, or just flip the whole thing around possibly?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ingarmrest.jpg

Im in to see what you will come up with

Yes, I've had this thought too. But no resources to do anything about it.

I installed that arm-rest lid and have taken out the cup holders and replaced them with 2-3 plastic containers so I can easily store various stuff in there. Would love a better molded system that fit into the ridges that hold the OEM cup holder and possible take up the whole area and divided into parts, etc.

I know you can design some things in CAD programs and get companies to 3D print it. So I was going to try and go down that route.

I was thinking of this too lol. I would really like a cup holder with holders :p I'm on my way to being a mechanical engineer and I am fairly proficient in CAD software so it will be interesting to see what you come up with

Updated with pics :)

I like 2 and 4

Same here

Wish i had an armrest

#2 is best, IMO. Maybe #2 with a slightly padded cover that is not as thick as an armrest, but suitable to rest your arm on for a bit. Just shooting from the hip here.

Number 2 is awesome. For me I'd take out the long section, as with the lid on you can't put much in there. So an option for that out would be interesting.

Even one without a lid, as I have the lid [for me] would be great.

You mean just a square tray type thing? Ya I thought about that too, that would actually be probably the easiest design.

I like the lid though, gives a concealed storage area for a few more items. I'm used to having something like that in most cars in that area, so #2 is the one I really want too.

I like number 2. But would be awesome if there was a hole through the front to allow phone chargers to be plugged in.

Someone post up dimensions so we can get this thing modeled!

Here's a quick mock-up of #2 (I'm guessing at the dimensions) without the lid mechanism and no little slot:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e.../cupholder.png

I like #4 and #2. For #2 have the storage in the back or at least make it so it could be flipped around and stable, unlike the stock piece. Would be a pain in the ass to try and grab a drink all the way back there. It's already a pain to grab one from the 2nd holder.

I want #2 with padding on the storage area cover. that would be awesome