Center console arm rest

[7echo]

So after our first long-ish trip I want to make the center arm rest a little bigger and softer. I saw where some have taken the rest from a Honda Element and swapped it in to the T4R. I have not found one yet at the parts yard and was wondering if anyone has just modified the OEM one? If anyone has ideas or can point me to some options I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[nissanh]

It is from a Isuzu rodeo. I have one glued onto the existing lid. It really helps!

 

[GVL]

I know I've seen thicker pads that that are like caps and just fit over the OE pad. Not sure if they are available specifically for gen 3 4RUNNER but could probably get close and use a nice wide strip of Velcro to fasten.

 

[Frontier719]

You could just recover the console cover you already have. Maybe go to an upholstery/fabric store and get a piece of thicker foam to make it more comfortable.

I recovered mine but left the original foam. I used contact cement to bond the fabric to the original foam, then screwed the cover back together. It was super simple.

 

[dgoll75]

I went to Hobby Lobby and got a thick piece of foam and a piece of vinyl for about $6. They only had black. Cut foam same size as the lid, cut the vinyl about 2 inches bigger all the way around. Unscrewed the inside of the lid and wrapped it right over the original. I used a little butane pencil torch to melt the corners of the vinyl together. So much better.

 

[kball]

I went a little crazy with mine but it's still one of my favorite mods to my runner. So comfy!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63704-armrest-franken-mod.html

 

[zacattack20]

Here's what I did and I think it's pretty comfortable and looks good.

I had already re-done my center console lid with some black vinyl and it came out decent,


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/CFC0D66A-18EA-4BA3-AFFE-9DB4E9D4FA77_zpsp2emibcr.jpg" border="0">

<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/FB1D5089-5CFE-4E52-9F18-32B09B392021_zpsu18nczox.jpg" border="0">


But then I saw this thread
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/159127-leather-center-consol-covers-ebay.html
and decided for $25 why not get real leather with stitching.

Once I opened it.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/CEBA4982-55CA-4296-90FC-7A052F68864E_zpswmkyzhz3.jpg">

<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/8A38D31B-1333-4537-BDB6-7BC88FFEEE7C_zpsaqlqqh1y.jpg" border="0">


To remove the lid from the console, there are just two screws.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/AA4FD275-30E4-4A42-897A-E99AC9E0F739_zps94mhwxna.jpg" border="0">


Then depending on what year your truck is, you either have the little compartment to open or you don't.

There are 8 tiny screws to remove and 2 other screws if you have the compartment in your lid.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/BD8A3F69-AE35-429F-BB72-38BBA2F8872D_zpsccltafsg.jpg" border="0">


Removed.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/714211C2-FEED-426F-8DED-D915F773965D_zps2r0kgjdv.jpg" border="0">


I then removed the old vinyl and put 3 layers of some headliner foam I had laying around.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/2B8D4562-FE89-463A-AE49-65CDFF70F3EF_zpsnpfoqvme.jpg" border="0">


I used this headliner adhesive to attach the layers of foam and the leather. I use it for everything since its held up my headliner for a couple years and hasn't started sagging, it can hold up to the heat in the truck.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/9A2E7A2E-9A59-4CB1-B7F3-B698DAFEA203_zpsj9gbhcuo.jpg" border="0">


And finished.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/4E7CC86E-AD08-456F-B1D0-9DA83576C73F_zpsai7ed8dd.jpg" border="0">

<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/F3173DDB-BB1D-4E4A-A8B9-CB53D9962BBC_zpsn1vcftls.jpg" border="0">


It doesnt match perfectly because it is real leather, it looks more of a gray next to all the black I have.


<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/C743CDC4-5B87-48A0-8B05-475002FE84C9_zpsrquqv5s6.jpg" border="0">

 

[Sisonpyh]

Does anyone know how to remove the center console lid in the 5th gens? I need to repair the vinyl and it will not come off. I've removed every screw I can.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Does anyone know how to remove the center console lid in the 5th gens? I need to repair the vinyl and it will not come off. I've removed every screw I can.

Try the 4Runner 5th gen section located here —> 5th gen They can probably help you faster than we can here in the 3rd gen section. Good luck!