A practical mod and a not so one...

[mararmeisto]

So, I asked Glen for the inclinometer/altimeter gadget that was obviously missing from the dashboard, and although initially reluctant (because the mounting holes were broken) he relented. I soon discoved that the altimeter was not very practical (because I live at sea level) and so decided to exchange it for a manual compass.

That didn't work so well, due to too much interference with the metal in the dash, and so I decided to change it out for something else again. Hence the pirate - aaaarrrrrgggg! No, it serves no practical purpose, but it is cool, isn't it? Check out the nighttime shot - cooooool.

As for the cup holders, or lack thereof in these early 1990's models, I became frustrated with the 'backward' centre console cup holders. I find it difficult to reach back behind my seat to grab my java, so I modified an old cup holder from our previous vehicle to fit over the storage tray. Check it out...

[marsgal42]

Love the pirate! Arrr...

The altimeter isn't terribly useful around Vancouver, but I was amused to see that Begbie Summit, just south of 100 Mile House, showed as just over 1200 meters on the altimeter, while the sign by the side of the road said 1240 meters. The range of barometric pressure on the scale makes me wonder if high-pressure weather systems are rare in Japan.

...laura

[jrman]

Agree with the cup holder frustration.
I went with the Romanian Tire single holder attached to the vent.
Has been working quite well, within easy reach of the hand without having to look away from the road - though the vent is no longer "directional".

[Green1]

mine came from japan with additional cupholders mounted on the dash, great for small drinks (ie a can of pop) but anything taller (most "regular" soft drinks from the drive through) hit the windshield and don't fit right... but I can't complain, my last vehicle didn't have cupholders at all...

[patty]

mine came with a two drink holder screwed into the center console,as well as a hello kittie cup holder in the front left corner of my dash.

[Adam]

I can't tell you how many different styles of cup holders I've tried to fit in my rig without any luck. I like having the console closed while drive to rest my elbow on. I wish the front seats had arm rests, that is about he only thing I miss from my old GMC Safari. Hmmm, I wonder if I could retro fit some arms on there.....

Anyway, any pics of people cup holder solutions would be appreciated. I need something to hold my thin tall starbuck stainless steel mug.

[Green1]

one of the projects on "the list" is a custom made centre console, should be easy enough, the existing one sits on a flat bit and is secured with just 4 screws, the plan is to integrate at least one cup holder

[DelicaMark]

I got two cup holders made by Bell from Canadian Tire. I attached them the front of the center console with heavy duty velco, which worked for a while until the Velco adhesive let go...could have been ugly. I am now going to screw them in as the positioning of them seems to work the best that I could figure out.

I'll take a picture and post it.

-Mark

[rdub]

I used a small shrinkwrap cardboard tube ,cut a small peice of wood glued it to the inside then glued the tube to another small block of wood that i cut to fit in the little square junk holder beside the power window buttons ,and that was that ,i did because i needed somthing for my trip to Bella Cola ,now i wonder how i would be able to make more for the back, it works great ,oh and i painted it green ,its all i had being i did it while at work.holds an extra large xx.

[torchard]

Ok, so this is an old post, but what they heck (anything to avoid real work): I bought a couple of those flip down marine cup holders locally and they work well for five bucks each.

(Just like these: http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/50-79451.htm)

I attached one to the shroud that encloses the shifters (which might not work for you folks with warm/cold boxes), and attached a second behind the driver seat on the post where the seat belt retracts. I'll install a couple more at some point. They've been good so far as they are kid-friendly (in that they taske a beating but easily pop back together) and simple to install.

I can't tell you how many different styles of cup holders I've tried to fit in my rig without any luck. I like having the console closed while drive to rest my elbow on. I wish the front seats had arm rests, that is about he only thing I miss from my old GMC Safari. Hmmm, I wonder if I could retro fit some arms on there.....

Anyway, any pics of people cup holder solutions would be appreciated. I need something to hold my thin tall starbuck stainless steel mug.

[PolyTek]

I'm glad someone resurrected this thread. It brings up two issues I've been thinking about, too.

The cup holder issue I will attempt to solve by installing the single DIN cup holder that I had in my Toyota van. I've never seen them for sale before, but then again, I haven't really looked. It's a slide in/out dual cup holder that will fit in the empty DIN slot left over after I install my Sony CD head. Pics to follow...

The other thing is front seat arm rests. Since I really haven't driven mine yet (I pick it up from Mardy tommorow to get it registered), I hadn't really noticed the lack of armrest. I do have front seat armrests in my Toyota van that are a pretty close match for the upholstry, maybe I can retrofit them. I've also been considering re-covering the door armrests, so if they fit, I can have them upholstered to match...

D

[mararmeisto]

Since we're talking about the front seats and the lack of arm rests, are the seats the same as the captain's chairs in the rear? If so, I'm thinking there might be a mounting plate under the fabric. Maybe?

NOTE: We've taken the arm rests off the chairs in the rear, partly because the foam was deteriorated to dust and partly because removal makes it easier for the kids to pile in-and-out.

[jesse]

cup holders,, I stopped by mec and bought 2 plastic mec mugs, then I went to (I hate to say it) walmart and bought a meter of 2.5" velcro strip.. wala cup holders.. Ive taken some pretty hard corners and have yet to spill a drop of precious americano.. also works for other applications knives, forks, plates ect...

[torchard]

One reservation comes to mind with this idea. I find the front seats pretty constricting (and I don't think I have a particularly wide ass). I dunno if they are narrower than a typical seat, but I'm usually pressed against the door. So for me the arm rests would make me feel even more confined. Maybe you skinny-ass twenty-something's don't have this problem.

--T

Since we're talking about the front seats and the lack of arm
rests, are the seats the same as the captain's chairs in the rear? If so, I'm thinking there might be a mounting plate under the fabric. Maybe?

NOTE: We've taken the arm rests off the chairs in the rear, partly because the foam was deteriorated to dust and partly because removal makes it easier for the kids to pile in-and-out.

[mararmeisto]

... Maybe you skinny-ass twenty-something's don't have this problem...

You obviously don't know that I'm 6'2" and about 265lbs! Yes, I find the seats a bit narrow too, but then I find most cars small. I was in a 1970s pickup truck once - it seemed to have a lot of room.