No-compromise armrest for $45 (100% reversible - no screws or glue) - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Kittykate · 03-05-2021, 11:54 PM

I recently picked up a '15 FR-S since my Mini needs $4k of work and is worth $6k (damn German cars). Great car, but the lack of a center-console arm rest is a huge problem for me because I have a messed up neck and need my elbows supported if I don't want to be in pain. The three car-specific options out there that I found didn't really appeal and are also expensive. I bought a cheap "universal" arm rest on Amazon and it really didn't work, it ended up too high to be useful. Instead of returning it, though, I put my brain to work and ended up slapping together a perfect (for me) solution with like 10 minutes of work and thought I'd share:

Step 1: Get this armrest. I just searched "armrest car" on Amazon and there's like 30 different shell companies selling the same product. Get whichever one is cheapest since it's all the same thing. I specifically bought this one.

Step 2: separate the two pieces and stick the supplied rubber pad in the position shown (I trimmed it a bit but you don't really have to).

Step 3: Snap the armrest part off of the storage compartment and remove the bits of plastic that make up the hinge. You are welcome to do a better job than I did but it really doesn't make a difference on the final product.

Step 4: mix up your JB weld plastic bonder and apply it as shown. I got the tan stuff because it's what Home Depot had, the color is irrelevant as it will not be visible.

Step 5: assemble as shown. Let it set for 30+ minutes before installing in the car.

Step 6: install assembled armrest between the seat and center console as shown. No glue or bolts are needed; it doesn't move unless you make it move.

Works a treat and can be uninstalled simply by un-wedging it from its position. I think it's pretty nifty for the cost and effort level. Sure, the cheap Chinese armrest might not last terribly long but for $40 just replace it when the "leather" starts to crack and delaminate in a few years.

Hope this is a worthy first post!

LimitedSlip · 03-07-2021, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittykate

Hope this is a worthy first post!

Most certainly. This is a great find. I don't need an armrest for the daily commute but it would be a welcome addition for road tripping. Thanks and welcome to the forum!

RickyBobby · 03-07-2021, 11:20 AM

Pretty slick and the price is right. I paid ~4x that amount for my sliding armrest.
So it's just wedged in between the console and the seat. Is it stable or does it tilt towards the seat when you use it?
Just throwing out a suggestion. Would adding some velcro strips to the right bottom edge of it and the edge of the console help? https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-B...0199/202261921

Kittykate · 03-07-2021, 02:32 PM

It's actually wedged between the hard plastic covering on the hinge of the seat and the hard plastic of the center console, compressing the foam pad making for a tight fit. I don't find it moves much at all as is; I did consider some velcro or 3M adhesive but the fit is so tight that I couldn't figure out how I'd get it applied. I think the actual upgrade here would be some silicone grip tape or something like that, to increase the friction keeping the armrest from moving.

Tcoat · 03-08-2021, 10:43 AM

I paid $30,000 for an armrest I don't even use.

LimitedSlip · 03-08-2021, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I paid . . . for an armrest I don't even use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I paid $30,000 for an armrest . . .

I'm not sure which version is more curious?

jordan7831 · 03-19-2021, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I paid $30,000 for an armrest I don't even use.

Good think it came with a free car.

Tcoat · 03-19-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordan7831

Good think it came with a free car.

It did some of the sting out of the deal.

Kittykate · 03-22-2021, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I paid $30,000 for an armrest I don't even use.

HakOWNED

ymshulman · 06-02-2021, 06:59 PM

Nice - so the cupholders are completely usable with this?

Kittykate · 02-19-2022, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ymshulman

Nice - so the cupholders are completely usable with this?

Yep. As long as you have the insert rotated correctly (the long slot on driver side).

To update a year on: armrest still works, still holds tight, and hasn't degraded. Pretty pleased.

Daily86 · 02-27-2022, 10:14 AM

This is a great solution. Here it is with the white thread.

03-05-2021, 11:54 PM	#1
Kittykate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Drives: 2015 FR-S Location: USA Posts: 118 Thanks: 24 Thanked 149 Times in 64 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	No-compromise armrest for $45 (100% reversible - no screws or glue) I recently picked up a '15 FR-S since my Mini needs $4k of work and is worth $6k (damn German cars). Great car, but the lack of a center-console arm rest is a huge problem for me because I have a messed up neck and need my elbows supported if I don't want to be in pain. The three car-specific options out there that I found didn't really appeal and are also expensive. I bought a cheap "universal" arm rest on Amazon and it really didn't work, it ended up too high to be useful. Instead of returning it, though, I put my brain to work and ended up slapping together a perfect (for me) solution with like 10 minutes of work and thought I'd share: Step 1: Get this armrest. I just searched "armrest car" on Amazon and there's like 30 different shell companies selling the same product. Get whichever one is cheapest since it's all the same thing. I specifically bought this one. Step 2: separate the two pieces and stick the supplied rubber pad in the position shown (I trimmed it a bit but you don't really have to). Step 3: Snap the armrest part off of the storage compartment and remove the bits of plastic that make up the hinge. You are welcome to do a better job than I did but it really doesn't make a difference on the final product. Step 4: mix up your JB weld plastic bonder and apply it as shown. I got the tan stuff because it's what Home Depot had, the color is irrelevant as it will not be visible. Step 5: assemble as shown. Let it set for 30+ minutes before installing in the car. Step 6: install assembled armrest between the seat and center console as shown. No glue or bolts are needed; it doesn't move unless you make it move. Works a treat and can be uninstalled simply by un-wedging it from its position. I think it's pretty nifty for the cost and effort level. Sure, the cheap Chinese armrest might not last terribly long but for $40 just replace it when the "leather" starts to crack and delaminate in a few years. Hope this is a worthy first post!

03-08-2021, 10:43 AM	#5
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	I paid $30,000 for an armrest I don't even use. Attached Images __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

02-27-2022, 10:14 AM	#12
Daily86 Member Join Date: May 2020 Drives: 2017 Toyota 86 Location: Florida Posts: 67 Thanks: 12 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	This is a great solution. Here it is with the white thread. Attached Images

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03-07-2021, 11:20 AM	#3
RickyBobby Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2013 Firestorm FR-S AT Location: Smokey Mountains Posts: 404 Thanks: 54 Thanked 261 Times in 138 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Pretty slick and the price is right. I paid ~4x that amount for my sliding armrest. So it's just wedged in between the console and the seat. Is it stable or does it tilt towards the seat when you use it? Just throwing out a suggestion. Would adding some velcro strips to the right bottom edge of it and the edge of the console help? https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-B...0199/202261921

03-07-2021, 02:32 PM	#4
Kittykate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Drives: 2015 FR-S Location: USA Posts: 118 Thanks: 24 Thanked 149 Times in 64 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It's actually wedged between the hard plastic covering on the hinge of the seat and the hard plastic of the center console, compressing the foam pad making for a tight fit. I don't find it moves much at all as is; I did consider some velcro or 3M adhesive but the fit is so tight that I couldn't figure out how I'd get it applied. I think the actual upgrade here would be some silicone grip tape or something like that, to increase the friction keeping the armrest from moving.

06-02-2021, 06:59 PM	#10
ymshulman Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Drives: '17 BRZ Location: New York, NY Posts: 72 Thanks: 44 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Nice - so the cupholders are completely usable with this?

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