Replacing broken dash cup holder on 96-98 takes less than 1 minute...

SURF RUNNER

SURF RUNNER

Senior Member
I'm selling my '97 4Runner (recently bought a 2001 Stellar Blue 4WD Limited T4R) and I'm trying to finish a few projects so I can sell it.

Yesterday I replaced the broken cup holder in the dash with a functional replacement. I did a search and found a thread on the general forum that explained how this is easily done. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/74435-how-do-you-replace-front-console-cup-holder-1996-toyota-4runner.html

Pull out the broken cup holder a few inches. Get two wooden shims and insert them in the space at the top of the broken cup holder. One shim should be all the way to the left and the other all the way to the right. Push gently on both shims at the same time. You should then be able to easily pull out the broken cup holder. Once the broken cup holder is out simply insert the replacement. It took less than one minute to replace the broken cup holder in my '97.

I bought the replacement cup holder at a junkyard for $10. Be sure to bring your wooden shims with you.

This photo from eBay shows where the clips (that you are trying to disengage) are located. These sell for $40-$80 in eBay, but are very cheap at junkyards. You could also find someone parting out a 96-98.

IMG_4084_zps345d25e8.jpg~original
 
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I really do need to figure out how to post pics on here but here is a description. The swing out arms on both sides of the cup holder don't hold the cup/can or spring back. I saw where the tabs were and put 2 butter knives on either side and wiggled them in. It took a firm tug but it came out. I flipped it over and opened up. I saw where the spring posts had broken but the base of them was still there. I took each arm out and switched them to the other side. This way the spring is now on the stronger base of the post. I had to make the pivot hole a bit larger on the metal plate. You'll see. I cleaned all of the parts and the slide slot and put some silicone grease on all of the pivot points. It springs back nicely and slid right in. 15-20 minutes and you are ready to go! I doubt it will break again. :reddance:

UPDATE: OK, famous last words, "I doubt it will break again." Well, the passenger side arm broke off. I just ordered a replacement dash cup holder.
 
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Just yesterday I searched and found that post about using shims to remove the cup holder. After reading this I'm going to see if I can remove my broken cup holder and repair it. The spring on the right cup holder has apparently broken.

Has anyone tried to repair/replace the spring(s) in one of these cup holders and been successful?

Fyi, this part can be purchased new from Toyota Online Parts | toyotaonlineparts.com for $41.77. The part # is 55620-35050. I'm not associated with the website just discovered these guys recently and have made a couple of part purchases, saved a lot of money versus buying Toyota parts locally and have been very satisfied. You'll have to pay shipping of course. Fyi, because of the shipping I'd recommend you try to make as many purchases as you know you're going to buy to cut down on shipping. About the make my 3rd purchase in the last month and wish I'd thought it through a little better. :-)
 
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 90 - YotaTech Forums

Fixing the spring problem wasn't hard with a dremel and a couple of nails I had in the spare bits drawer. It's not the springs themselves, it's the idiotic tiny plastic posts used with them.

96 4Runner 261,xxx miles

Cup holder arm spring repair

See broken post in foreground, the one replaced with the nail was broken even lower down and didn't work at all:
Wpbq7Gj.jpg


Underside of cupholder. Nails lined up in holes where the plastic posts would have gone:
D5dDdSF.jpg


Nails nipped and ground down lower than the screw heads
GfVFUtk.jpg


And the topside. I used a dab of jb weld on the underside of the nail heads. Prolly doesn't need it because of how the holder fits into the console:
Kn6AyUK.jpg
 
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Thank god I saw this repair! I had a replacement part in my shopping cart on a well known website and it was gonna cost $60 or so. I saw this DIY repair and spent $.97 on some super flat head nails and slapped it all together. Works like a charm! Why did Yota use those crappy, thin plastic spring "retainer rods" in the first place!?
 
Thank you so much, I thought I would have to take the dash out but the two shims worked so much better. I needed a new one because one spring was broken and my bottom support had broken off as well. It was $70 from ny local toyota dealership.
 
Even faster removal tool. Use one of those big ass, thin BBQ flippers. The cupholder is held in with 2 plastic tabs in the back(prevents it from falling out.) pull holder out about 2 inches and then drive that BBQ flipper ALL THE WAY to the back. You want the flipper to glide over them and push them down. Tug lightly and push back at same time. Right down the center of the cupholder. here's a picture of my tool:
https://www.amazon.com/Update-International-Extra-Large-Stainless-Commercial/dp/B000K8ATL2
 
I can tell you that the thin spatula is the way to go. No need to a shim, wood, or whatever you have. If you have a slim spatula, just slide it in over the top to depress the 2 upper tabs. Boom - it comes out. It has taken me longer to type this post than it did to remove and replace a cupholder on my 97.
 
ZoneOne said:
I can tell you that the thin spatula is the way to go. No need to a shim, wood, or whatever you have. If you have a slim spatula, just slide it in over the top to depress the 2 upper tabs. Boom - it comes out. It has taken me longer to type this post than it did to remove and replace a cupholder on my 97.
Click to expand...

I used two metal small spatulas to remove it and after I saw that the plastic post was the only problem . I then used a small fine thread self-tapping screw in the post alignment hole in the metal cover. Thanks for showing the easy removal method.
 
Maybe cover the spatula in tape to prevent scratching? Tbh I had no idea where I would find wooden shims when I read that.
 
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