Ever since I've owned our Jeep, I've enjoyed the console cup holder so I decided to put one in my 3000GT
Here is a picture of my console with the rubber cup holder insert from a '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Notice that it is slightly rounded instead of flat and the rubber "ribs" underneath.
The rubber ribs had to be trimmed at the top (it will become evident why later on).
I wanted to see how thick the lid cover was so I cut a 1" hold in the center. I need to make a cutout of everything except the vinyl on top.
Looks thick enough so here we go.
A little surprised here, there were 2 plastic layers. My dremmel cutting wheel wouldn't fit so I traced an outline and used a bit to cut out the area.
I always knew those exhaustive hours of learning how to color and stay within the lines in kindergarten class would come in handy some day!
All the plastic cut out, just leaving the vinyl on top. There is enough padding between the top layer of plastic and the vinyl to make your cutting easy.
Just go slow and do it in bright light so you can see the depth of your cut. After all the plastic was removed, I took a screwdriver and my finger and
removed all the padding too. I also made sure to remove the padding about 1/2" further from the edges so it will look better when I push the
cup holder in.
I cut slits in the vinyl in an X pattern leaving about 1" on the edges so it will fold in when the cup holder is pushed in.
After the X slits were made and I was happy with it, I cut out the square again, leaving 1" on the edges.
I pushed in the cup holder, put a couple small paint cans in the cup holder holes and then taped it down tight.
OK, I slightly lied. The process up till this point took about 1/2 hr but at this point, I had to turn it upside down and used
Dynatron Epoxy to glue the rubber cup holder to the lid and then I let it set all night.
The stock cup holder had to be slightly trimmed to accommodate the bottom of the cup holders.
Here's the finished product. It looks great in the car and really adds a lot more "comfort" when traveling. I now have a place for my cell phone
and other "necessities" plus now my wife has a place for her drinks instead of using that annoying plastic cup thing from Wally World that rests on the seat.
That's it! very happy with the final outcome.
I may not have the most expensive 3000GT or the fastest or the best looking but damn it, soon I will be able to say I have the most cup holders of any 3000GT in the world! LOL!
