Cup Holder Upgrades

2002 AC LTD 4x4 4.7 L
I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death in times past, but a quick search didn't show a definitive post or solution. What have you all done to deal with the extremely inadequate cup holder situation? I typically have a 24 oz Thermos water bottle with me all day and it's a disaster waiting to happen in the center console cup holders. The elevated "soft cup" holder rack is no better as it can't manage more than an 8 oz styrofoam coffee cup. I see Weathertech makes something for Yeti tumblers and there appears to be an expensive OEM solution. All the recent work I've been doing on this loaner truck has been trying to get it ready in case I get deployed to support FEMA disaster recovery centers in response to hurricane Helene. The last thing I need to have to worry about is a water bottle getting stuck under the brake pedal or a full cup of coffee in the floorboard.

 

I'm not familiar with the thermos water bottle... For clarification, what is the problem you're trying to solve? Will the thermos not fit in the cupholder, or does the cupholder not hold the thermos securely and could tip over/out?

 

Probably similar to the situation I have with my kids. Water bottles these days are obnoxiously tall, and wildly varying circumference. Sometimes the circumference and height play nice with the double cupholder in the center consoles. Other times, they're just a little skinnier and/or taller, and the damn things tip over at best, or go tumbling out into the floorboard at worst.

The foam alligator teeth installed in the center console cupholders from factory are fine if you always order large drinks at fast food restaurants, or only drink Gatorade. They're really not suited to holding modern metal water bottles. And the in-dash holder is a joke for anything more than a small take-out coffee. But the problem isn't limited to our 2000-2006 trucks, our 2020 Highlander's cup holder won't even fit a couple of our water bottles, where as they're perfectly snug in the Tundra.

 

40oz. I have no issues

 

Hmmmm.... that's where 3D printing could come into play. I think I have a few "prototypes" of the foam insert replacement left over that are much stiffer. I'd be happy to send to the OP if he wants to try them (and I still have them?).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T6N5UBeFpk​

 

I just dug through my rejects bin (i.e. trash can) next to my printer… they were still in there. I think they’re a mix of TPU and TPE, but if this addresses the issue and OP wants to try them send me a DM.

 

Here's a couple of photos of the standard types of beverage containers I pack on a daily basis.


Both cupholder locations are only about 2.5 inches tall. The two tumblers are about 10 inches high. All of the containers have a smaller diameter which means they are a loose fit. The slightest bit of acceleration in any direction sends these drinks flopping over at best. At worst, they spill or end up rolling around in the driver side footwell. Not even a medium sized disposable coffee cup fits in either location with any security. By contrast, the center cupholders in my wife's 2009 Lexus RX350 are twice as tall if not more.

P.S. I'd really prefer NOT to have to buy a specific tumbler for this vehicle. Weathertech is on to something with their "cupcoffee" insert, but it seems too product specific. And, yes, somebody with a 3D printer could probably make a bundle here depending on price point for the raw materials.

 

They've got something like you describing for LC200 series

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/cup-holder-for-pre-2016-landcruiser-200-by-bh3d-printing.1305030/

 

Thank you for the offer! It appears those would still fit at the 2.5 inch level and probably not manage the tall containers I usually carry.

 

According to the diagram from EPC Data, there appear to have been 2 console cupholder inserts (58837B (58837-0C010) and 58856A (58856-0C010) that either came with the truck when new or were available as add-ons. I'm going to poke around and see if I can find one or both of these at a reasonable price somewhere and give them a try. If nothing else, they might be a good template for me to hand someone with a 3D printer as the basis for a custom build. Still gotta figure something out for the elevated cupholder rack.

 

2001 FirstGen, I stuff my water bottle between the seat and center console, a snug, good fit, extra insulation from the foam seat, and it is very handy and secure. The center console cup holders are only good for my house keys and money, etc. The pull out cup holder is flimsy and right above my ham radio, so that is a no go for anything that can spill.

 

Okay, I pulled the trigger on the pair new from Daytona Toyota. I'll follow up here when they arrive and put in my $0.02.

 

Sounds like the console upgrade would be good for you. It looks like you have the earlier style console, you can upgrade to the newer style if you feel like putting in the effort of finding parts. @JasonC. Did his.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-1675#post-3286836

 

I put a couple of PVC fittings in mine. They work great. I painted them black and wrapped the outside with bicycle inner tube. I'll try to get a picture and post here.

 

Pictures of my PVC cup holders...

 

Nice! Is that straight PVC or is it a connecting collar? What size is it?

 

It's a connecting collar. I think it's 2.25", but can measure tomorrow to confirm.

 

3.5" Outside Diameter, 3.25" Inside Diameter.

 

I used a Fernco cast iron pipe coupler...forgot what size. Remove the metal collar/worm clamp and drop in. Fits real snug.

 

Thanks!!

 

UPDATE: I've been driving around with the OEM cup holder inserts in the center console cup holders and they are working WAY better than I expected. They really don't add much height to the overall profile, but they snugly fit the water bottles and cups I normally use. That snug fit on the base seems to be making all the difference. I have not had a single item shift or fall out. New, the OEM inserts were pricey. So, folks may still want try the PVC coupler trick from @kentuckyMarksman . I may try it or something similar for the cup holders that pull out of the dash.

 

Looks like these are probably OEM? Did they come standard with the Limited package? They're annoying but useful. I regularly have different size drinks (from water bottles, to cans, to glass bottles), so getting them more snug is really nice. But I'm always switching out cup holder sizes. Better than having to figure something out or rig something on my own I guess.








The dash cupholder setup...I legitimately forget is even there. Probably if I had passengers more often it'd come in handy. I think I've used it once since buying the truck.

 

Yep, that's the pair I ordered from a Toyota dealer. Don't know if they were stock with the Limited. My brother's 2002 AC is a Limited, but he's like the fourth owner. So, there are a lot of details like this that didn't make it to him.

 

Yeah I feel fortunate. I'm technically the third owner, but the second owner had it less than 6 months and basically just put a TEQ Customs grill on it, drove it a few dozen miles, sold it to me. Original owner kept all the original stuff with the truck.

 

I ended up 3D printing a solid solution that fits 1st Gen Tundra DC and 1st Gen Sequoia, and I am happy with how it came out. If you want more info on it, feel free to checkout the link: https://www.trailrunnercustoms.com/products/p/1st-gen-toyota-sequoia-tundra-cup-holder

 

Very cool! Would it happen to work for the rear cup holders on the back side of the center console?

 

Great product for the double cab trucks! When are you coming out with a cup holder that fits the access cab?