Can I retrofit a 94 with a cupholder-armrest? Options

[ChrisH]

I just bought a used 94 Celica ST (automatic transmission), and discovered that it has no cupholders for that model year. I want to add cupholders. I searched the threads here and saw some people added DIN cupholders to the dash, but I am concerned about condensation dripping onto controls lower down the center console. I am considering other options, such as retrofitting with a later year's armrest cupholder. My transmission is an automatic, so I am not as concerned about the position of the cupholders effecting shifting (like the manual transmission people care about).

My question is, can I just get a later year's cupholder-armrest and simply replace the armrest on the 94's console, or do I need to replace the whole rear center console? I am concerned that the hinge, latch, and/or notches in the rear center console for the years with the cupholder may be different than the 94 without the cupholder.

[njccmd2002]

i dont see why not, would you mind posting a pic of your armrest, thats usually where the cupholders are, just to see if its the same

[DEATH]

Are you sure you just haven't found your cupholders yet? I know several members had owned their car for a while and an old thread popped up about how crappy the stock cupholders are [Not so bad IMO] and they were surprised to find out they had one. It can be somewhat unnoticeable if you don't know where to look for it.

[Remy]

If you think the cub holders are bad with the stock shifter try using them with a short shifter like me our cars aren't meant to hold cups anyways lol

[DEATH]

I can still easily shift with the TRD SS and two full sized Whataburger drinks in the cup holders [which requires the holder to be all the way out and the front most drink you have to take a sip of it cause it will be leaning forward a few degrees] - granted my arm is in a weird position but I'm used to it. It's really not all that difficult to learn - I've seen much worse.

This post has been edited by DEATH: Dec 1, 2008 - 11:58 AM

[GriffGirl]

It's careful execution of what I like to refer to as "The Crane Maneuver" that results in successful shifting with the cup holders in use.

Look harder - I bet you have cup holders. Unless someone took them out for some reason, or you don't have the stock arm rest.

[DEATH]

It's careful execution of what I like to refer to as "The Crane Maneuver" that results in successful shifting with the cup holders in use.

Look harder - I bet you have cup holders. Unless someone took them out for some reason, or you don't have the stock arm rest.

Totally - use the crane technique Daniel-San

If someone did take your cupholders out [Which I can see cause they do wear out and tend to slide everytime you brake or launch - can be easily fixed but I can see someone taking them out] you can easily find one here from someone who is parting a car or from your local junkyard. Beyond that, anything you do would be custom and completely up to your imagination and fabrication skills. I recently added a larger cupholder right behind the armrest on the hump between the rear floorboards. All it took was 15mins with a dremil to shape the storebought cupholder to fit the center console's contours and a few more mins to screw it in place securely - works great for those giganto drink that don't have the bottom of the cup diameter reduced.
My guess is still with you just not having found your's yet tho - take another look

[CelicaST_CALI]

u have cup holders they are underneath the center console..i have a 94 st and i have cupholders ...

This post has been edited by CelicaST_CALI: Dec 2, 2008 - 7:44 PM

[elvasoshexai]

Which I can see cause they do wear out and tend to slide everytime you brake or launch - can be easily fixed but I can see someone taking them out]

how do u fix it?

[GriffGirl]

Open the ash tray and use it as a cell phone holder. The open lid will stop the cup holder from sliding if you have a cup in it. If you don't, but it still slides, black electrical tape is not only practical AND alluring, it adds 10 HP!

[Legit94GT]

I recently added a larger cupholder right behind the armrest on the hump between the rear floorboards. All it took was 15mins with a dremil to shape the storebought cupholder to fit the center console's contours and a few more mins to screw it in place securely - works great for those giganto drink that don't have the bottom of the cup diameter reduced.

Pics or it didnt happen i wanna see this

[richee3]

Open the ash tray and use it as a cell phone holder. The open lid will stop the cup holder from sliding if you have a cup in it. If you don't, but it still slides, black electrical tape is not only practical AND alluring, it adds 10 HP!

I need to do this to my already working cup holder! Free HP

[DEATH]

I recently added a larger cupholder right behind the armrest on the hump between the rear floorboards. All it took was 15mins with a dremil to shape the storebought cupholder to fit the center console's contours and a few more mins to screw it in place securely - works great for those giganto drink that don't have the bottom of the cup diameter reduced.

Pics or it didnt happen i wanna see this

IDKY the camera's flash always makes every black look a different color - everything look normal in natural light [For the most part anyway]
Nothing fancy - but infinitely useful for those big fast food drinks and as you can see I toss my change in there as well which is also convenient in the drive-thru.
Looks stockish enough for me. [Yes I know I need to vacuum]

[Legit94GT]

that looks so good:) even though the car is messy lol

[DEATH]

It's only right there - my dog like to go for rides but she sheds and she sits right there. I'm just glad she's not one of those smelly dogs - she wouldn't be getting a ride if she was.

Guess OP found his cupholders

This post has been edited by DEATH: Dec 3, 2008 - 2:11 PM

[D-Man]

May i add that regardless of the messy car, and the HUMONGOUS chiwawa animal, That the cupholder itself looks pretty good. I've seen it first hand, and it's got such an OEM quality to it, that it had to be pointed out to me when i was already back there.

[ChrisH]

I examined my armrest more carefully, and it is apparent that the cupholder tray has been removed. I'm guessing the previous owner broke it and just removed it. I'm going to replace it. I already found a source.