empy din slot idea

[aust92pearl]

Originally Posted by aust92pearl

i found one for $20
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CAR-DVD-C...item2a22f238f1
im willing to give it a try

turns out my plan to swap top tray with bottom drink holder bit doesn't work
the arm that holds the drink up gets caught in the bottom tray
and even with tray turned upside down it gets caught pushing it back in ...

[**Ewie**]

Originally Posted by 92snowmachine

my brother had one of those in hone of his subarus. it worked well for drinks but when mounted in the bottom you couldn't reach all the buttons on the radio.

My 97 GT-B had a factory cupholder that popped out of the dash. It was located directly above the radio and completely blocked it when the holder was in use.

[Old Davy]

Darn shame about the double drawer DIN cupholder. I had a 98 Legacy GT with the pop-out cup holder and loved it. Never broke in a decade's worth of use.
I've gotten used to the 2006 Outback XT's in-line wells although a tall cup or bottle tends to get hung up on the armrest lip ( I have the JDM extended console box armrest).

When I got the SVX I despaired of how I was going to transport coffee. I could picture my elbow breaking off the console lid as I reached back for the cup. Nonetheless, I must have at least two cups of java standing by on long trips and even just heading into work it's a pain to have to put a takeout coffee tray on the passenger floormats...an accident waiting to happen.
Tried out the wedge and took it right back after a test fit because I knew it would eventually scuff up the pass seat and console.

Here is my first workable solution:

Years ago you could get this double cup holder with flat trays front & back as well as a coin stacker on the side. With molded teeth on the bottom it was meant to grip console-less hump carpet. Used it in the boat until I got gimbal mounts.
With some forethought and judicious trimming it's a fairly perfect snug fit between the shifter and e-brake handle. It only allows the shifter to pull back to DRIVE but it does put the drink cups easily to hand without contortion.
Section of back tray I left in place sorta hooks under the brake handle and the bottom & sides are padded with felt. The sides squarely straddle the console and do not contact the seat leather. It removes in seconds by lifting the front edge. Yes, it angles toward the rear but the deep cup wells - I have yet to spill a drop.

Haven't seen these in years but If you can still find one give it a shot.

[Old Davy]

But wait...there's more...

As much as I like my tray and feel lucky to have stumbled across the idea, all along what I was really looking for is a small simple double cup holder I could mount in the same position without all that extra plastic bulk. Really adverse to anything that requires mutilation of OEM console or dash.

I've found this:

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_trksi...at=0&_from=R40

Measuring 6.38inch x 3.27inch x 1.81inch tall it is more compact than what I'm using and will allow the shifter to pull all the way back It should also sit more level on that section of the console.
I expect it is molded of a flexible vinyl plastic although the chrome flip rings are probably hard styrene. If I feel these rings are too breakable I'll surround them with some rubber weatherstrip to snug them in the wells. With the flip-up rings it accommodates jumbo cups & bottles - bonus.
I have no qualms about sticking one to the console top. If my measurements are correct it will blend in as virtually original.

I've ordered two and will report back when I've had a chance to assess them.
for use in our SVXs.

[Old Davy]

A pair of "Durable Convenient Auto Car Truck Mount Dual Drink Cup Holder Can Bottle Stand" arrived in the mail today.
They are exactly as described, cheap & cheezy manufacture but strong plus points in all the right places. Does what I need it to do - securely hold two take-out cups, pop cans or small water bottles side by side at arm's reach with minimal distraction.
Two 2.5" adhesive foam discs on the flat bottom stick to the console without damaging the surface. Allows shifter to knock back to 1rst gear position. (The foam disc pads at the bottom of the wells are sloppily applied off center and serve no useful purpose).

What is a surprise is how small those inner flip rigs are. Must have very small takeout beverage cups in the Asian countries. Inside diameter of the rings is barely 2 1/16". So the solidly molded rings are useless for North American coffees (and I will be removing them).
But, rings flipped up the large wells are 2 5/8" dia with a taper that perfectly cradles a standard paper cup or can or travel mug, so perfect that there is no danger a full cup would tip over on hard cornering.

The base adheres flat on the console without hanging over the edges and the refreshingly simple design looks good. Sure, it would be nice if they were carved from a billet of aluminum...but they're not. They could use a coat of paint or PlastiDip to match the interior and the molding inside the wells is very rough - they could benefit from a stick on rubber liner.
As is, the base is painted satin silver and the top trim is chromed plastic.

So, for ~$4.50 each delivered free to your doorstep I'm calling them a solution if your idea of commuter beverage access does not involve clamping it between your thighs or twisting sideways cracking the lid off the console cubby.

[icingdeath88]

^ Cool idea. Doesn't really seem like it would work well with a stickshift, due to needing to use the e-brake a lot though.