Adding cup holders in MK3 without ripping out carpet

[compuatic]

Hi, I am looking to add two cupholders in front of the shifter in my MK3. Ideally I don't want to remove the carpeting. Any suggestions on how to figure out the location of the cross brace to avoid interference? is the transmission tunnel bracing the same between the MK3 and MK4?

[GoDadGo]

Here is an option that you may or may not like:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H4NGB0Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It worked out well in my car so it might work for you, but be advised it is a surface mount.

You can see the item in my attached final assembly video:

https://youtu.be/ELFJDOVKb4g

Good Luck!

[rich grsc]

A strong magnet should work

[compuatic]

Thank you, I considered this but like the traditional flush cup holders

[Ted G]

Honestly, put them where you want. I actually cut my cross member (MK4) for this application for cup holders before the trans cover was put on (much easier). You probably want a larger cup holder to hold other things like your phone. Mind the dashboard clearance and the shifter clearance.

[AtlantaCobra]

I just had two cup holders added to my MKIII. I'll have to admit it was a huge pain. Carpet and tunnel had to be pulled back and cross member cut and moved. If you look from underneath, you'll see that the cross member just in front of the shifter is right in the way of where one of the holders should go. You could stagger them, but might look a little odd.
Here is the finished product....
183917

[egchewy79]

you could miss the cross member w/o removing the carpet, but it would involve removing the transmission and approaching from underneath :(

[compuatic]

I just had two cup holders added to my MKIII. I'll have to admit it was a huge pain. Carpet and tunnel had to be pulled back and cross member cut and moved. If you look from underneath, you'll see that the cross member just in front of the shifter is right in the way of where one of the holders should go. You could stagger them, but might look a little odd.
Here is the finished product....
183917

That looks great and just like what I want. Which cup holders did you use? ive seen others do it without messing with the cross member

[Scott L]

I have to admit I took the easy way out. https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Horse-Portable-Multifunction-Organizer/dp/B079N5YMXF/ref=asc_df_B079N5YMXF/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061982315&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4634789447337443042&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001963&hvtargid=pla-601323472222&th=1

[steno]

West Marine has a folding cup holder that goes on the side of the tunnel. Just screw it on and you're done!

[RJD]

Another option.

183946

[Fman]

It is pretty easy to re-carpet the trans tunnel, would make the job much easier to remove it then drill your cup holders. Personally, I would do your homework on cutting any cross members on this car there is a reason Factory 5 engineered the frame the way they did. My guess is to keep the frame rigid and not flexing and if you ever got into an accident who knows what would happen with missing cross member pieces... just my .02.

You can fit cup holders in-between the cross bracing on the trans tunnel especially if you do not have a lower control bezel installed. I went with the extra deep stainless, so far after 5k miles of driving now they seem to be doing the job and will fit a Venti Starbucks or Big Gulp ;) also work well for a cell phone holder when empty.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WW9M6XK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=181015&d=1677796621

[narly1]

Maybe under dash swing/slide out style cup holder(s) like these?:

https://watsons-streetworks.com/product-category/interior-trim/cup-holders/

Earl

[john42]

Maybe under dash swing/slide out style cup holder(s) like these?:

https://watsons-streetworks.com/product-category/interior-trim/cup-holders/

Earl

I have these as well. Love them. I mounted them to a Breeze dashboard support and it worked out very well.

May 13 from 8am to Noon Watson's is having their 11th annual open house from 8am to Noon. For non-local people they are also having Free shipping on orders for that day. I live local... within walking distance! But I'll drive the Cobra there anyway. :-)

[AtlantaCobra]

That looks great and just like what I want. Which cup holders did you use? ive seen others do it without messing with the cross member

I went with this type from Summit Racing. There are tons to choose from.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ems-ms281-31p

[cob427sc]

If my memory serves me right, the early MKI did not have the center brace and the entire tunnel was open. Some attributed this to the old issue of doors popping open on a hard turn. My suggestion would be to leave the brace there or at least modify and reinstall.

[cschwer]

Any suggestions on how to figure out the location of the cross brace to avoid interference?

No suggestion on what cup holder to use, but i would think a strong magnet can help you figure out where the cross brace is.

[compuatic]

The Magnet is a great idea. I'll try that out