Ever since I got my truck back in '04, I've always thought up different solutions for cup holders. There are some in the back panels, which are very convenient, but I've always had to fumble with a coke and the shifter or make the girlfriend hold it (which worked great! ). SO..walking through the junkyard I stumbled (more like stepped on) a treasure that had plenty of potential!

My center console broke a long time ago so I didn't mind messing it up to bad. I relocated the rear window switch to the empty spot above the radio and tucked the other two away since I never used them anyway. I'll find a spot for those later.

Tell me what you think! I can make a write up if anyone is interested.

Before (pretty nasty)


Before my hackjob


After!



In the truck

 

you cut the piece off and molded it to the other one?

 

Looks pretty good to me. Like 95blackToy said, did you mold the two pieces together? I would like to see the write up on this.

 

Agreed, looks sweet. But im curious as to what you did and how you did it. Id like to see a writeup also

 

Alright, here goes. If I forget anything I'll just add it in later. BTW, I do take a lot of pictures. I used to work at a dealership doing body work, repairing broken bumpers, fixing caved in fenders..stuff like that. I wanted to experiment with fiberglass on this but I had no clue how to do it, since I've only used the fiberglass filler..figure I would save that learning experience on the dash.



I cut the part that used to house the switches for the back window right at that line that goes up the console, and the cupholder originally had some kind of pocket for change or whatever on it, so I cut that off too.




And just held it in place with tape to get it where I wanted it. The kit comes with this plastic net backing that you use to fill holes in bumpers. I used that underneath to bond the sides of the console to the sides of the cup holder and filled in the gaps with the rubber bumper filler.



The filler is sandable but I cut the big chunks off with a razor kind of shaping it. Next up I got out a little bondo to fill in the holes and to give it that final shape I wanted.



Went up to the campsite with my girlfriend that night so I got to test it out before I did anymore work with it and so far I was impressed. I think she was happy because she didn't have to hold my drink anymore. Win Win

I was kind of sketchy about the sides of the console separating from the cup holder so I added a few dabs of gorilla glue to some parts the bumper putty wasn't bonding. And so far I haven't noticed it flexing or cracking, and it's held up to throwing my phone in it a few times and a large drink from Moe's.



Smoothed everything down and taped off the back heater controls and went to painting!
I was going to undercoat it but I figured flat black would do. If I want it to be more durable I'll respray it with bed liner.




I tried to kind of fade that line into the bonded part so it looked more like it was supposed to be there instead of looking like its just glued to it or something.



After it dried for a little bit. There is some trash in it since I did it outside, but it's ok, like I said I might respray anyway.





And in the truck. I just bent that front mount down and under the carpet, just in case I decide to go back the way it was with another console. And since I never used the window lock button or the wiper switch I left them connected but tucked them under the console in case I need them later.

 

Now this is the part that made me happy about my random judgement on this project. When its installed, it sits upright where it needs to be. And on the front under the cup holder it sits on the floor, so that's added support to it.

 

awesome work man! I say it looks professional!

 

Now that is very cool. Good job on your mod and thanks very much for your right up.

 

came out great.. did you relocated the switches?

 

thats awsome, looks like it was made like that. I know if i were gonna try that im sure my cup would sit crooked or just fall off altogether..lol......great job

 

Thanks guys, that means a lot to me!

I fixed up some connectors on the up/down switch for the back window and relocated it to the open spot above the radio. I could snap a pic of that if you want. The window lock and the wiper switches were never used, so I tucked them under the cupholders where I can still get to them if needed.

 

I'm not sure where anyone can find the cup holder I used, I lucked out at the yard. But this process should work fine on another kind if you use a little creativity!

 

nah just wondering....bored at work

 

Very cool. I have a bench in my 87 pickup with the cutout near the shifter. I found a cupholder from a shopping cart works quite nicely there.

 

awesome job! love it.

also found these, might be interesting to do:

http://www.shopten-four.com/ProductD...069-1236116635
http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.co...?idproduct=617

 

Looks pretty good!

 

DAMN that looks great!!!

 

Hmmmm......... Makes me want to go back to the "salvage" yard and get the one outta that 91 runner (top was broke) and MODDING IT!!!!!!! man do I want a cup holder...

 

Great job !

 

very nice job