Of Consoles and Cupholders

[mkscott2]

I decided to make this project #1, as I quickly tired of reaching all the way to the floor for my coffee. All of the ideas in this thread are really neat for their given purposes. I decided to start with a cardboard mock-up to see if my following goals for the console could be met:

1. elevate level of cupholders to reasonable height
2. make the cupholders capable of holding my favorite travel mug- which is really not gargantuan
3. create better storage (possibly enclosed)
4. add a "folding" table extension- so that I have somewhere to keep my travel snack in reach
5. maintain ease of pass through- at least from the passenger seat

Some progress made... still thinking it through

[Scottn59c]

Way to use the old noggin, guys. In mkscott2's picture, I noticed he has the caddy swapped in to the passenger area where EVs lack a glove box.

IdeaNerd, if you want to keep tinkering with aftermarket EV ideas, how about an actual glove box? One that has a latch and can open and close. I haven't bothered seeking out a caddy because the open nature of it strikes me as odd, ugly, and cluttered. It's bad enough that everything I put into the other open cubbies on the consoles often goes spilling out at a red light.

Like many of you, I consider it unfortunate that the EV doesn't have a real glovebox. I have way too much crap crammed into the box on the driver's door.
_________________
Farfignewton!

[Joshwa]

[Zeddy]

Had enough of the stock OEM eurovan dash dual cupholder.

Issues of stock:
(1) Don't hold things well, since not hold clamp onto the cup, just old rubber gasket to try to add some grip. They don't accommodate larger cup sizes.
(2) Have to have both cupholders down at a time, which is bit awkward, since the OEM cupholder on the Eurovan is somewhat in the way of my hand reaching the gearshift to shift when going up/down hills/mountains.
(3) On the OEM dual-cupholder, if put drink in one cupholder and phone in other (for audible GPS directions through radio), the fluid can flow over from drink to bottom of phone.
(4) Price and availability: I have seen OEM dual cupholder listed up to $300 USD for places that still have some in stock. However, I wouldn't want it anyway for reasons above. Plus the cupholders wear with time, it would be better to have a system that is more replaceable.

For myself, I prefer not to have cups on floor since too far for me to reach, nor to have on the doors. I'd prefer not to drill new holes in van. I like to keep the area clear between the front seats for walking back and forth from front seats to camper area.

After reflection, this was my approach for 99 Eurovan camper:
(1) Carefully removed OEM dual cupholder, bagged and stored in case some future owner wishes to bring it back for some reason.
(2) Oak faceplate created. There is a lower horizontal wooden piece behind the main faceplate that rests onto where the stock OEM dual holder would have rested.
(3) Screw oak plate onto car, using the holes/bracket that OEM cupholder used.
(4) Screw the folding cupholders to oak faceplate.

Now can just use 1 cupholder at a time, keeping gearshift area clear. They grip properly and can accommodate large diameter cups. The cupholders are separate so that fluid on bottom of coffee cup not wander into bottom of phone being held by other cupholder. As cupholders get older over the years, can just screw in a new folding cupholder for about $10 instead of $300 unobtainium.

Best wishes!
Stock dual cupholder:

Replacement:

[IdeaNerd]

@Zeddy A neat and simple mod. Thanks for sharing!

I don't think I even realized the older EVs have the cupholders up high like that.

[IdeaNerd]

[jjvincent]

I'd put some tape on top of that center console. When you spill some coffee it'll soak into the cardboard and weaken the structure. Plus, it'll just look better.

[eurovank]

I have a 2002 EVC with the cup holders near the floor. I built a cardboard mockup similar to this some time ago, a little shallower even. I immediately ran into the walk-through obstruction.

For me, when the van is in the garage, the only way to get out is via the sliding door. So, get out, I realized I was swinging my feet through the gap below the console and in front of the shift and having the cardboard console there blocked that swing. So, I had to sort of raise my feet over the shift and twist my bottom clockwise in the seat to get out. Quite a drag. I should note that I am not super tall at 5'9.

This problem was slightly alleviated if I slid the seat all the way back, but then I didn't have room for the table. Those with a weekender might not have this issue since your tables are mounted parallel to the side panel.

[IdeaNerd]

[eurovank]

LOL. Indeed, I looked back on this thread and I DID say basically the same thing a few months ago. Sorry about repeating myself!

Incidentally, I tried a couple of floor to console mockups, and the only time I was having issues was getting OUT of the drivers seat. Walking in through the sliding door Getting INTO the drivers seat was not obstructed.

[IdeaNerd]

No need to apologize! It's great to have input on this, even if more than once.

Very interesting re: getting IN vs. getting OUT of the driver's seat. Good to know that aspect of your experiences with floor-to-console mockups!

[mkscott2]

I just posted this in my other thread, but thought it could be more helpful posted here. After fooling around with a bunch of cardboard over the last couple weeks, I decided to move forward with wood- instead of just covering it in tape! I definitely do not have Needlenoddlenoo's woodworking skills, but the design worked out well for us. It does impede movement of the foot when going aft from the driver's seat, but the passenger seat is completely clear. I'm fine with this since I really don't anticipate the need to climb back-n-forth from the driver's seat too often.

The empty space is now occupied by three decently sized drawers from the front, and the driver's side has a small cabinet in which we will store a first aid kit. Passenger side also received a net-pocket for maps and such. The kicker though... was the cupholders. They are now in perfect reach, hold our cups well, and I even added an LED so we can see them at night. AND, there is a small table which slides right down past the back side of the cupholders. You can see a stick behind the cupholders in the top left and right pics- that is the handle. When extended/deployed (top middle and bottom pics), the table simply rests on top of the console- secured by means of two straps from beneath. Now, I have a safe place to put my travel snack and our cups!

[IdeaNerd]

Nice work!

I really like how you've integrated the table -- that's some nice design thinking, there. Are the straps that secure it inside, attached to the end of the table that is against the dash? Regardless, very nice how it tucks away so neatly when not in use.

Interesting combination of cabinet and drawers, too. Did you have specific things in mind to go in those when you made them, or just made them and are filling them up now as you go? (I'm curious about your design process on that part.)

The net on the right side is another bonus. I could picture a couple umbrellas fitting in there, or something similar.

Thanks for sharing your process with us on this -- I for one have enjoyed watching the bits that you've shared along the way. It looks like you've ended up with something very usable. Bravo!

[mkscott2]

Thanks IdeaNerd!

The straps are attached by glue and very large washers to the underside of the table. Then the other ends attach to a bar inside, which rests at the small curve closest to the engine.

The drawer size and layout was optimized for the given space. Each one is as deep as possible, which means the middle is the longest, with the top and bottom two a bit more shallow. I didn't have a particular item in mind for fitting into the drawers.

The net was a total after-thought. I like the idea of an umbrella sitting there. The other thought I had on that one (a little too late though), was to cut a 1.5" hole in that side and secure a PVC pipe on the inside of the console. That way, you could easily store an umbrella in the tube without worry of what the water might do to the wood. I may still do something similar under the seat.

The cabinet at the driver's side foot-well was designed for that space because it 1) utilizes otherwise dead-space behind the gear select, and 2) provides ample space for a custom first-aid kit I'm putting together. No other thoughts to it's size or shape there.

[IdeaNerd]

Thanks for the answers and details @mkscott2! Helps satisfy my somewhat-endless curiosity.

May what you've created give you and your family years of great service, as you go on new adventures in your new van!

[boinzy]

This guy came up with a wooden console solution for his van:


Link

[Itsamoto]

[mkscott2]

[milkandrelish]

[misterbee]

I got one of these last year, and I love it. Secure cupholders, and lots of storage: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476677941795282536/

And they are made by a member, paparhino.

His website is rhinodesignstudio.com