Is there a need for cup holders on the 96-98?

[bhicks22]

So JBurt and StreetCreeper loaned me their consoles last week. I spent the last week working on a rear double cup holder design. It was a lot more complicated then I had expected. I first started off with copying my 80 series rear double cup holder design but quickly ran into issues. The 3rd gen console is too narrow and the cup holder stuck way out on the sides blocking the seats from moving all the way back and it looked terrible. It also stuck too far out into the back seat making it difficult for someone to sit in the middle back seat comfortably. I had to shrink the design way down to fit visually with the 3rd gen console. My 3rd gen console is almost 2" more narrow, 1.5" less deep and 3" shorter (no storage tray underneath). Another HUGE challenge was the fact that the two types of consoles (96-98 & 99-02) have very different backsides. I wanted to make one cup holder design that would fit and look good on both. That took some time but I am happy with the final result. I made sure the inside diameter of each cup holder was still the industry standard of 3". That will accept all fast food chain cups, most travel mugs, grocery store water bottles, cans, and a bunch of my kids sippy cups. It's not a universal (fit all sizes) cup holders but it does fit most. I will gets pics of the gray one on the 96-98 console up tomorrow with some different variations of cups installed. These will go out to the guys who loaned me their consoles for install and feedback. If changes are needed then I will make that happen. If not, then I will get them up on my site within the next two weeks. If changes are needed then we are looking at 3-4 weeks before available.

 

[bhicks22]

I just realized as I was boxing up the cup holders that I need one more super important bit of info. I need to know what Toyota used for the two screws that held the factory pull out rear cup holder in place. The consoles I received did not have the screws. I was thinking that the factory screws would be reused until I realized a few minutes ago that the factory screws will be too short. I need to find a screw that is about 1.5" longer but I first need to know the thread and diameter before I can find a longer version of it.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I just realized as I was boxing up the cup holders that I need one more super important bit of info. I need to know what Toyota used for the two screws that held the factory pull out rear cup holder in place. The consoles I received did not have the screws. I was thinking that the factory screws would be reused until I realized a few minutes ago that the factory screws will be too short. I need to find a screw that is about 1.5" longer but I first need to know the thread and diameter before I can find a longer version of it.

If nobody gets to it before tomorrow afternoon, then I'll go pull mine and check them.

New rear console looks pretty sweet btw! I'm looking forward to reviewing it. I have three young kids, so it will certainly be put to the test!

 

[JBurt]

I've never had rear cup holder screws...

 

[Jason B]

Can you tell us the advantages to your rear cupholder design vs the factory? Will your new design hold a cup as big as the old would?

I'm assuming you did the redesign to be sturdier?

 

[bhicks22]

Can you tell us the advantages to your rear cupholder design vs the factory? Will your new design hold a cup as big as the old would?

I'm assuming you did the redesign to be sturdier?

To be honest, I did it due to the pile of requests for it. After some research I realized it was a needed product. I know the factory design is really weak and very prone to breaking. My local Toyota Dealer wants $84 for the OEM replacement. The best deal I could find online for a new one was $58. that seems awful pricey for a replacement that is still prone to breaking. I figured I could come up with something that is significantly stronger for significantly less. I will be pricing these around $40-45 each. the down side is that it is not retractable like the OEM; BUT is that really bad? The OEM was weak because they tried to make it fold up and retract. If you have kids in the back seat who need it regularly then the OEM cup holder is useless. My kids would destroy it if they were constantly pulling an pushing it in and out and if the OEM was constantly left out then my kids would quickly break it off. If you don't have people in your backseat accept for rare occasions and they are all adults and gentle on fragile plastic parts then the OEM cup holder will be fine. My cup holder is definitely not for everyone but there are many who would benefit from it. My rear double for my 80 series got used every single day by my 3 kids and was a great addition to my rig. The family guy will understand the purpose of this product.

In regards to your question about fitment; my design will hold most containers. When I get home today I will compare it to the OEM cup holder when fully opened. Two of the 3 OEM cup holders I have are broken so I could not use them for measuring. The difference will be minimal but I will get the exact difference. I know the 44oz. Carls Jr. cup fit very similarly in my design as it did in the OEM design when fully opened.

 

[StreetCreeper]

To be honest, I did it due to the pile of requests for it. After some research I realized it was a needed product. I know the factory design is really weak and very prone to breaking. My local Toyota Dealer wants $84 for the OEM replacement. The best deal I could find online for a new one was $58. that seems awful pricey for a replacement that is still prone to breaking. I figured I could come up with something that is significantly stronger for significantly less. I will be pricing these around $40-45 each. the down side is that it is not retractable like the OEM; BUT is that really bad? The OEM was weak because they tried to make it fold up and retract. If you have kids in the back seat who need it regularly then the OEM cup holder is useless. My kids would destroy it if they were constantly pulling an pushing it in and out and if the OEM was constantly left out then my kids would quickly break it off. If you don't have people in your backseat accept for rare occasions and they are all adults and gentle on fragile plastic parts then the OEM cup holder will be fine. My cup holder is definitely not for everyone but there are many who would benefit from it. My rear double for my 80 series got used every single day by my 3 kids and was a great addition to my rig. The family guy will understand the purpose of this product.

In regards to your question about fitment; my design will hold most containers. When I get home today I will compare it to the OEM cup holder when fully opened. Two of the 3 OEM cup holders I have are broken so I could not use them for measuring. The difference will be minimal but I will get the exact difference. I know the 44oz. Carls Jr. cup fit very similarly in my design as it did in the OEM design when fully opened.

So one thing I hate about our consoles is that there is no rear power port or USB ports. My kids always need to charge their iPads, and I don't like cords stretching all the way into the back. Nor do I like having all their stuff sitting up front charging.

Perhaps you might consider building a cover for USB or other power ports for the rear console? My thinking is that the rear ashtray is completely useless as is and would make a good mounting location for a cover. Perhaps the metal backing could be used/partially drilled out or through to aid in mount stability?

I mocked up something to give you an idea of my thinking.

Not sure if this is something that you would be interested in considering —but figured I would throw it out there anyways.

 

[bhicks22]

I would be interested in that but need to get the rear cup holder project off the ground first. then I can come back and take a look at it. JBurt let me keep his console since it's his old one so I will have a console I can work off of for that project. I'm not an electrician so my product would just be the plastic bezel and not all the wires, plugs, etc.

So one thing I hate about our consoles is that there is no rear power port or USB ports. My kids always need to charge their iPads, and I don't like cords stretching all the way into the back. Nor do I like having all their stuff sitting up front charging.

Perhaps you might consider building a cover for USB or other power ports for the rear console? My thinking is that the rear ashtray is completely useless as is and would make a good mounting location for a cover. Perhaps the metal backing could be used/partially drilled out or through to aid in mount stability?

I mocked up something to give you an idea of my thinking.

Not sure if this is something that you would be interested in considering —but figured I would throw it out there anyways.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I just realized as I was boxing up the cup holders that I need one more super important bit of info. I need to know what Toyota used for the two screws that held the factory pull out rear cup holder in place. The consoles I received did not have the screws. I was thinking that the factory screws would be reused until I realized a few minutes ago that the factory screws will be too short. I need to find a screw that is about 1.5" longer but I first need to know the thread and diameter before I can find a longer version of it.

I tried sizing these down at the parts store, but couldn't find anything that they fit. As you can see in the pics, there are different heights to the thread. I measured the widest point for the picture.

I can always send you one of mine if needed too.

 

[bhicks22]

Those pics definitely help. That screw tells me the original hole they go into was never threaded and the screw itself cuts the thread. I will try to track down a self drilling and taping screw like that one but longer. That will be a bit harder to find then the usual metric screw.

I tried sizing these down at the parts store, but couldn't find anything that they fit. As you can see in the pics, there are different heights to the thread. I measured the widest point for the picture.

I can always send you one of mine if needed too.

 

[GGFerrier]

I'm all over this! It'll match my front holders I got from you last year. The plugs are a huge bonus. I had to rig mine to work with the wiring and the OEM cup holder.

 

[WTG13]

I have one of these and it is perfect! Color match and fit is DEAD ON!

 

[bhicks22]

Here's some pics of the gray version installed on the 86-98 console. You can see that it sits a little differently on this console but still mounts well and has no weird gaps. I will be heading to my local hardware store tomorrow to track down the appropriate length screws for mounting.

 

[bhicks22]

Here is the cup holder in use:

 

[bhicks22]

Here's pics of the 99-02 console for comparison with the same design cup holder. The gaps are different but don't look weird in either console. I figured I would just post them again on this page so you don't have to flip back and forth to the last page and this one.

 

[GGFerrier]

Thought these pics would help.

 

[bhicks22]

thanks for the pics. My cup holder is 7.25" wide and it looks like there is about 7.5" of width to work with between the seats. It will be tight but should fit great without any contact from the seats.

Thought these pics would help.

 

[GGFerrier]

thanks for the pics. My cup holder is 7.25" wide and it looks like there is about 7.5" of width to work with between the seats. It will be tight but should fit great without any contact from the seats.

No problem. Glad I can help... Love my double up front and my kids are only allowed to drink water in the backseat so I'll have plenty of room. Let me know when they're ready to sell. I'll take one.

 

[jhuerta22]

Here is the cup holder in use:

Yup, I'm sold on the rear cup holders. I'd also like to see the accessory plug to replace the ash tray in the console. Ive been wanting to do that modification for a while and that would give it a clean, factory style look! I'll be keeping my eye out for when you start selling these!

 

[bhicks22]

I found the correct length and diameter screws today and picked up a big box of them. The consoles used for mockup will be heading back to their owners tomorrow and I should have pics of them installed inside a 3rd Gen within the next few days.