I just did the Cup Holder Modification - Center Console Upgrade on my '98 Limited with rear heat and thought I'd throw some thoughts out for everybody else.
Here's a thread that has a lot of great details on the modification. I was actually going to post something in that thread since it was recent and well laid out. That was until it took me forever to find it using the search option because JohnsD90 misspelled cup holder as "cupholder." [note I can't spell for anything so this is no criticism, just a statement.] I figured having a separate post might help others find instructions/tips. Here's another good thread I used as research and finally, the original cup holder mod instructions were here but some of the links no longer work.
One thing that was notably different from my experience than other installs was I didn't drill or tap anything.
I purchased the e-brake lever and center console from a salvage company. I think it is worth every penny to get the ebrake lever as well as the console. With the 99+ e-brake lever there is no drilling. Just unbolt the old e-brake and stick in the new one. Takes all of 5 minutes.
The console is next and but not tricky at all. Cut off all the extra plastic pieces as instructed. I just used tin snips and a utility knife to clean everything up.
Next was the part where I was worried about having to drill. There is a metal bracket that the cup holder mounts to. Unfortunately the holes are in a different space on the 99+ console. On mine, the rear heat further adds a little wrinkle (JohnD90's thread shows everything in great detail. This is step 10).
What I did instead of drilling tapping etc was measure the height of the bracket and where the holes needed to be. Then I got out the vice grips and bent the bracket down. Then I used a hammer to turn the S shape of the bracket into more a Z shape. You only have to move it about 1/2 in back. A couple of bends and a couple of taps and it was done. Holes lined up perfectly.
At this point you are done except for moving the switches. This was the only real pain about the whole project. If I would have been a little more aware of what a pain this was (not hard, just a pain), I probably would have considered switching the center panel to a 99+. Not sure if it is possible because of the the vents but seems like it would. It's worth looking into.
In my case, I just cut all the wires and spliced in about a 12 inches of extra wire and moved the ECT button, Rear Window and Toyota Security to the empty slots to the left of the steering wheel. The only odd thing is that because of how the rear window switch was originally mounted it is setup so pushing up is down and down is up. I just mounted the switch upside down for now. Eventually I'll figure out the wiring and just reverse it and polish off the Up and Down markings on the switch.
This was an easy upgrade. Highly recommend. Thanks to JohnD90 and all who came before me for making it even easier.
Here's a thread that has a lot of great details on the modification. I was actually going to post something in that thread since it was recent and well laid out. That was until it took me forever to find it using the search option because JohnsD90 misspelled cup holder as "cupholder." [note I can't spell for anything so this is no criticism, just a statement.] I figured having a separate post might help others find instructions/tips. Here's another good thread I used as research and finally, the original cup holder mod instructions were here but some of the links no longer work.
One thing that was notably different from my experience than other installs was I didn't drill or tap anything.
I purchased the e-brake lever and center console from a salvage company. I think it is worth every penny to get the ebrake lever as well as the console. With the 99+ e-brake lever there is no drilling. Just unbolt the old e-brake and stick in the new one. Takes all of 5 minutes.
The console is next and but not tricky at all. Cut off all the extra plastic pieces as instructed. I just used tin snips and a utility knife to clean everything up.
Next was the part where I was worried about having to drill. There is a metal bracket that the cup holder mounts to. Unfortunately the holes are in a different space on the 99+ console. On mine, the rear heat further adds a little wrinkle (JohnD90's thread shows everything in great detail. This is step 10).
What I did instead of drilling tapping etc was measure the height of the bracket and where the holes needed to be. Then I got out the vice grips and bent the bracket down. Then I used a hammer to turn the S shape of the bracket into more a Z shape. You only have to move it about 1/2 in back. A couple of bends and a couple of taps and it was done. Holes lined up perfectly.
At this point you are done except for moving the switches. This was the only real pain about the whole project. If I would have been a little more aware of what a pain this was (not hard, just a pain), I probably would have considered switching the center panel to a 99+. Not sure if it is possible because of the the vents but seems like it would. It's worth looking into.
In my case, I just cut all the wires and spliced in about a 12 inches of extra wire and moved the ECT button, Rear Window and Toyota Security to the empty slots to the left of the steering wheel. The only odd thing is that because of how the rear window switch was originally mounted it is setup so pushing up is down and down is up. I just mounted the switch upside down for now. Eventually I'll figure out the wiring and just reverse it and polish off the Up and Down markings on the switch.
This was an easy upgrade. Highly recommend. Thanks to JohnD90 and all who came before me for making it even easier.
eace:I'll put some pics up tomorrow. I only didn't because there are so many others out there and they are all basically identical but if it will help, it's easy to get back in there. Only 2 bolts and two screws and the whole thing comes apart.
) moves the window down.
