SoCalPaul

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I thought I'd drop my 2 cents.

I have a '96 4Runner with rear heat.

Having read all the write ups I could find, I found a 2001 center console with E-brake assembly on Ebay. I installed it this past Sat. I had to trim about 3/16" from the passenger side of the hole where the E-brake cup mounts in order for the holes to line up. I did not trim the sides of the console or any of the structural fins on the bottom as others have done. The person I bought the console from had already sold the rear bracket so I had to work with the one I had. The controls for the rear heat mount to the same bracket so I could not easily relocate it. What I did do was re-drill the mounting holes in the main bin. I had to get longer screws, but it works great!

The new console looks original. The only place you can see a difference is in the bottom of the bin. Now I just need to relocate my ECT & rear window switch.

All is good in the land of the Super-Size drink!

Paul

mytyeerinpie

pics? please????

SoCalPaul

I believe that Bob_98SR5 did the original write up here:
http://www.4runners.org/writeups/cupholder/index.html

He pieced together his parts from several sources. The best option is to get your console, E-brake, E-brake cup & rear bracket from the same donor vehicle. That will make this an easy swap with minimum effort. I did not do the console modifications or the bracket relocation Bob did.


Ritzy4Runner did this excellent write up:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f126.../#post50701571

I did not do any of the console modifications he did, although I am thinking of putting the ECT switch in the shifter console.


More info here:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/c...e-99-a-138751/

Since I did not get the rear mounting bracket, I had to use the one I had. I drilled new mounting holes in the bin & since the originals were recessed, I used longer screws.


Good luck,
Paul

Ron Helmuth

nice job and way to stick with it. I would never attempt something like this and admire you guys that will cut on your own rides.

X-AWDriver

I saved the trouble of the cupholder mod and sold my '97 and figured it was easier to buy a '99.


Plus all it's other goodies not included on the my '97.

SoCalPaul

If I had done a little more research, I would have waited for a '99 or later. But for my budget, I bought what I could. I was Actually looking for an FZJ-80 but when gas approached $5.00/gal I decided on a 4Runner instead.
Paul

pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

i must have lucked out with mine, no trimming or bolt relocating needed. i bought everything from one vehicle as suggested: console, mounting bracket, and e-brake handle. i've read on some that there are different size brackets so maybe i ended up with the right one.

i like my '98 with the '99+ console, best of both worlds. i have the two slide out cup holders for extra emergency beverage capacity, but the main two in the console for everyday use the way God intended

SoCalPaul

I tried to get the bracket, but he had already sold it to someone else. You did it the best way, getting all the parts from the same donor. I was going to try to find a matching bracket, but when I saw that all I needed to do was re-drill the holes in the bin...woohoo, done!

Paul