So when I bought my '87 it didn't have an armrest pad at all, the console was still there but no lid. So I bought a lid that was mechanically good and decided I would try my hand at upholstery. I figured out I like doing it about as much as I like doing body work. But anyways, here's some pics along the way, I think it came out decent, not extremely happy with the corners but it's a lot better than not having a armrest period:

Here's a shot of the materials:


Here's a shot of building up the foam, I found half inch foam and decided to bond three layers together to get a little more comfort:


And the final product:



Installed in the truck:

 

That actually looks really good, I had to do it for my '88 also, but I use the fabric from my sisters backpack

 

lmao, does it say JanSport all bedazzled on it

 

nice clean work man i wouldnt mind that in mine runner actually.

-matt

 

man..could you come and do my seats?!?

that looks good!

 

Thanks guys. It wasn't too bad to do, I'm just a perfectionist so if it doesn't come out perfect I'm never quite satisfied.

Cost wasn't too bad, I had to buy a half yard of the "pleather" so that was $8 and then the foam was $2 and the adhesive was $5. I went and drove the 4Runner around and I can't get used to having something soft to rest my elbow on.

 

maybe take the fabric up under the rest a little bit more to take care of the corners..but other than that it looks nice!

 

At least he picked a pretty tough fabric so it should last a while. What did your sister say?

 

That was the intent, but it was kind of a balancing act between stretching the "leather" to get all of the bunching out/cutting enough material away to keep it from bunching and then getting it to stay in that position. The adhesive I used was made specifically for what I was doing, but it took a while to set up and actually hold something I stretched. Oh well, good experience/knowledge for next time I have to do something like this right?