DIY 1st Gen tC console arm rest

[FlawedLegacy]

OK,so I tried SEVERAL things when installing this sucker and this is the best setup I've come up with...

First off the tC arm and Corolla arm are not the same. Corolla is MUCH larger. If the tC is put on the Corolla, it will not open all the way.





There are two plastic tabs that hit just behind where the screw hold the arm to the arm rest. (can't really see them as the pic is head on, but this is where to look)



You can either cut those tabs, or do what I did and cut into the arm...





When put together, should look like this



Next step (also shown in the above pics) is to trim down the back part of the arm...





Next is making the pegs fit

Dug out the holes on the inside of both for the pegs to align


Then dig out the holes in the above piece


That's it for the top, now for the bottom.

I tried to use the stock arm rest's bottom and cannibalize it .....




FAIL!!!!

So next plan to mock it up and see how she fits to brainstorm...







NOT ACCEPTABLE!!

so I came up with this...







OK, so the gap is taken car of (no pics, but looks ok)





WORKS LIKE A CHAMP!!!!

I'm currently plasti-dipping (go figure! ) the arm to make it look better. Pics tomorrow as it was dark when I finished and used a flashlight to get this much.

OK, so after I plasti dipped the L bracket for aesthetics

(really rough paint job, but i dont care enough to redo it at this point)


Then viola!












well, here is the tC arm rest all completed after re-wraping it with my choice of fabric (will be used on door inserts as well)







I LOVE this thing! It's nearly level with the arm rests on the doors as well (which it should have been stock IMO!)

Big thanks to everyone who helped me want and do this!!! I could not and would not have done this without you guys!

[pengin978]

if you were to break the tabs on the corolla in this pic


it would be much easer, use a flat head just like a chisel.


but better write up than me.

[FlawedLegacy]

all i did was extend those holes a bit... damnit, forgot that part!!

[TLeong13]

looks good makes me wish i didnt sell it to u ahahah...hopefully i can find another cheap one online n do it

[pengin978]

no wrap it like me =D

oh btw, check my thread shortly, I got a buddie of mines that will piss you off haha

[Dimaoala]

Eeeeeeh, I don't see why yall have to do any modifications...

I just unbolted the mine, and bolted on the tC. No problems at all. Opens and closes all the way just perfect.

[pengin978]

eeeehhhh, OCD kicks in for me at times weird I know.

[FlawedLegacy]

mine did not fit or i would have just bolted it on.

[RBK]

Originally Posted by Dimaoala

Eeeeeeh, I don't see why yall have to do any modifications...

I just unbolted the mine, and bolted on the tC. No problems at all. Opens and closes all the way just perfect.

u have an XRS he has an LE?

[Dimaoala]

Originally Posted by RBK

u have an XRS he has an LE?

I don't see how that would make a difference. Its just a different colored plastic and different fabric. They wouldn't change all the holes and such.

[cabur]

I tend to believe "Flawed". If he says it's not a direct fit, it's not a direct fit. He's quite a hand's on guy, knows what he's doing and have achieve results.

Look good, "Greg".Now it's just like my OEM if the top will also slide forward.

[FlawedLegacy]

Unless the LE is diff, just look at the two arms, I dont see how it could be a direct fit. Yes the screw holes line up, but arm would not swing open all the way and clip needs to be moved unless you make the L bracket like I did. I'd rather not have a screw in the tray.

As my father says, "it's not wrong, just different". As long as Dim likes his setup and works, more power to him for a direct fit.

[PhatRoyale]

great writeup!

Added to the DIY sticky thread.

[PhatRoyale]

great writeup!

Added to the DIY sticky thread.

[FlawedLegacy]

woo hoo, another sticky!