OEM armrest unboxing/review

[Xanzent]

Got it installed today. Couple of tips:

1) take the top off. Seriously, it's worth it.
2) After marking the holes (with hammer and nail), I punched all the way through with a small nail. This made a great guide hole which made the 5mm drill bit go straight in, no wandering.

[Calavera]

Sprayed a little wd-40 last night around the hinges and the squeaks are gone. Drove around this morning and closed/open the armrest here and there and no squeaks. If the squeaks come back then I will wd-40 again.

[Stierzy34]

Originally Posted by Xanzent

For anyone that wants one of these and wants it quickly, Nigel JDM seems to be the way to go right now. I ordered mine Wednesday, it shipped Thursday, and tracking information says it'll be here tomorrow.

I can attest to this. I ordered mine through him and got it within a week! Just got to get the car here to install it!

[Efferalgan]

Received my armrest and now hesitating whether to install it or not. The quality is not as good as I would expect from an official Toyota part. Did not pay attention to it before when looking at picturest but the look of how the leather ridges on the bend of the armrest really makes me sad (picture taken from this thread but mine looks the same way as all others according to all the photos posted here).

[Rumbaar]

I had to order mine from eBay, UK supplier, to Australia. Took about 2 weeks to get here. But I'm very happy with the build. One thing, as previously said, drill the holes for the hinge part and then mark the holes according to that placement. I had to remark 2-3 of the holes due to it being slightly different to the template.

But overall it was very easy to install. I didn't take my cover off, I just bend it back a lot more and held the base firmly and screwed the two screws in and it pulled the whole unit down and firm. It did scratch the hinge slightly with the screw driver.

One thing the latch on closing doesn't lock in straight away, but apply a little pressure and it does.

[chadstyle]

Originally Posted by Efferalgan

Received my armrest and now hesitating whether to install it or not. The quality is not as good as I would expect from an official Toyota part. Did not pay attention to it before when looking at picturest but the look of how the leather ridges on the bend of the armrest really makes me sad (picture taken from this thread but mine looks the same way as all others according to all the photos posted here).

I received mine today and overall it looks good but I also noticed the same thing. Good to see that I'm not the only one.

Next out of country part is the red STi push button start/stop. It's the little things...sure it's $160 for a button but I justify it to myself by saying "well, the shift knob was way more than the button..." Lol.

[ravenblackfrs]

Damn I want one of these. Nigel, do you still have them? @nigel-jdmparts

[encity5]

just received mine, how do you take the top off for easier installation? cant seem to find any direction in all these posts.

[edit] nvm found the post.

[encity5]

just installed mine. this feels amazing!, its one of those items that i didnt realize how much it actually helps until actually having it. My arm feels natural resting there in between shifts. and seems to have elevated my arm just enough to my comfort zone.

Picture time right after install.











from a suggestion made in this thread i went with black hex cap screws. much more consistent than the silver ones they come with. (and hex keys are easier to come by than my torx screw)



as everyone has already suggested, taking the top off helps a lot with installation. its easy enough to do that you might as well do it. besides with helping you access the 2 screws that the lid covers, it lets you work with the armrest with the lid closed. Useful if your like me and constantly double checking after each hole i made that the rest stayed lined up. (i used the armrest itself to mark the holes, and opening / closing the lid can move your marks off)

I also didnt have a working drill, for anyone interested in alternatives i used a body reamer i had laying around for RC cars. (useful for making perfect circles) and just marked off how deep i needed to go. (on the reamer i needed to go to 9mm, since its a long cone shaped tip) made it easy to keep checking precisely how much i needed to shave to get a good fit.

[nigel-jdmparts]

Originally Posted by ravenblackfrs

Damn I want one of these. Nigel, do you still have them? @nigel-jdmparts

Got 10 coming in, but we have some people waiting.

If it cant cover yours, will have to wait for 2-4 weeks.

[ravenblackfrs]

Originally Posted by nigel-jdmparts

Got 10 coming in, but we have some people waiting.

If it cant cover yours, will have to wait for 2-4 weeks.

No big deal, I'm out of state working anyway. Do you know of anyone in oregon with one of ur's? Either way I'm going to be placing my order this friday. I've booked marked it on your site. Matter of fact I'm ordering a couple of items from you. Need to throw in some stickers too!!!

[microbionic]

Originally Posted by Efferalgan

Received my armrest and now hesitating whether to install it or not. The quality is not as good as I would expect from an official Toyota part. Did not pay attention to it before when looking at picturest but the look of how the leather ridges on the bend of the armrest really makes me sad (picture taken from this thread but mine looks the same way as all others according to all the photos posted here).

Thats my photo I believe,... I never even noticed that,... still it does not bother me... it serves its purpose very well.

[Kiske]

IF you take apart the arm rest could one fix the dimple in the side of the leather with a small piece of foam/glue or is there no access?

[Beyer Subaru]

Originally Posted by chadstyle

I received mine today and overall it looks good but I also noticed the same thing. Good to see that I'm not the only one.

Next out of country part is the red STi push button start/stop. It's the little things...sure it's $160 for a button but I justify it to myself by saying "well, the shift knob was way more than the button..." Lol.

The STi button is totally worth it bro. It'll make you giggle like a little school girl when it lights up.