Cup holders in the transmission cover

[Legendary]

Let's talk drink holders for a minute. Currently I have two sets. The smaller one is what some folks on the forum are using. It fits a can of pop.
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Found a bigger one on Amazon but thinks it's too big. Trying to find something more in the middle that will also clear the transmission. What else are people using?
IMG_20240203_233754_814.jpg

[Norm B]

I used the bigger ones. They fit, just barely, above a T5 transmission. I had to take the drain hose fittings off the bottom.

HTH

Norm

[Alan_C]

Here is a picture of what I did on my MK4. I bought the cup holders from a casino supply store in Las Vegas. I tried several as it is a goldilocks moment trying to find one that is just right. I believe mine were a large size.
I installed the cup holders using sound insulation to wrap the cup holder. This method kept the cup holder cool and in place. I also up a bottom cap of insulation on too. To figure out where to place them, I had the car up on jack stands. Without the drivetrain installed, I marked the outline of the square tubing. You can then remove the trans tunnel cover and decide where there is clearance for the cup holders. I found placing the cup holders forward provided good access for the driver and passenger. Actually, I rarely used the cup holders for drinks. I used then just to hold stuff like sun glasses, keys, and numerous other items. Installing them was totally worth it. I did have the door cards with pockets which were useful, but the cup holders were used most of the time.

[phileas_fogg]

I purchased a pair (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) of 3 1/2” ID cup holders. These were the only cup holders I could find (and I ordered three other pair) that were large enough for my phone case to fit in AND shallow enough to fit at the front of my transmission tunnel.

I started by holding a straight edge against the edge of the 3/4” frame at the top of the transmission tunnel, and marked its extension onto the vertical panels. Then I cut out a cardboard template that fit snugly against the forward cockpit wall. My transmission tunnel did NOT fit snugly against the wall, and was not parallel to the wall (one corner was 1/4” back; the other was 3/8” back). Using the marks on the vertical panels, I was able to figure out where the 3/4” frame was underneath my template. Then with some trial and error, I was able to find a location that missed the diagonal and side frame members. In my case, that location was 6” from the forward cockpit wall and 3” to either side of the center line of the transmission tunnel cover.



After cutting out the holes in the card board, I was able to confirm the location was correct, and moved to the cover. By offsetting the template the appropriate distance from each corner, I marked the centers and drew the cut lines with a compass. I cut the holes out slightly small with a jig saw and used a drum sander in my hand held drill to sneak up to the cut line. This also allowed me to get a nice snug fit.



I got the outside and top edges to within 1/32” of each other; you’ll never see it.


John

[Lidodrip]

These are what I used: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/EMS-MS281-43P

My Yeti coffee cup and iPhone fit well. I am using a TKX transmission.



James

[GoDadGo]

I'm envious of you guys that could put recessed cup holders in your cars.
I had no room left in the tunnel so I had to go with a surface mount.
The recessed mounts just look better than my solution.

[Legendary]

I am going to try phileas_fogg (John) link from Amazon. The billet ones from Summit are nice but a little pricy.

[john42]

I did these: https://watsons-streetworks.com/prod...out-cupholder/

From Watsons. I like them much better. I tried a cup holder to the rear of my stick shift and my elbow hit my cup all the time and made shifting awkward. Tried in front but it was awkward getting my cup out from under the dash and when shifting into third my knuckles would hit my cup.

So I put 2 of the above mounted from these: https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/da...t-bracket-kit/

and it worked out very nice. I can swing them under the dash to be hidden and out when I actually need them and it doesn't interfere with shifting..

[Legendary]

Pics of the 3 cup holders I have ordered. Middle size looks just right for my needs. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.

IMG_20240213_234009_587.jpgIMG_20240213_234037_021.jpg

[AtlantaCobra]

Dash.jpg

Here are mine. Had to move the cross support to make it work, but turned out great. Drinks don't hit bottom of dash or get in the way of the shifter. Best upgrade I've had done.

[Its Bruce]

I fab'd some aluminum paneling under the driver's seat and installed/hid one of these to accommodate various sized drinks under/between my legs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

61Rj57OzIQL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

It doesn't interfere with operations, and my take is that a passenger should be holding their drink while riding anyway.

[CaptB]

Here is a picture of what I did on my MK4. I bought the cup holders from a casino supply store in Las Vegas. I tried several as it is a goldilocks moment trying to find one that is just right. I believe mine were a large size.
I installed the cup holders using sound insulation to wrap the cup holder. This method kept the cup holder cool and in place. I also up a bottom cap of insulation on too. To figure out where to place them, I had the car up on jack stands. Without the drivetrain installed, I marked the outline of the square tubing. You can then remove the trans tunnel cover and decide where there is clearance for the cup holders. I found placing the cup holders forward provided good access for the driver and passenger. Actually, I rarely used the cup holders for drinks. I used then just to hold stuff like sun glasses, keys, and numerous other items. Installing them was totally worth it. I did have the door cards with pockets which were useful, but the cup holders were used most of the time.

Did the same. Looks the same follow the info above and you'll be fine.

[Rdone585]

How do you guys do it? By the time I get to where I'm going my cup is empty before I even get a sip. Just kidding, but I have to use bottles with tops and I tuck them on the side of the seat near the rear.

[lance corsi]

You’ve probably already thought of this, but here’s my take on cup holders. Since I’m only needing one holder, I formed a roughly 3” tube that accommodates the drink size I’m using. On the bottom, after welding in a false bottom, I glued in an old speaker magnet, then finished by gluing on an actual bottom and covered it in felt to avoid scratching my aluminum tunnel. Beneath the tunnel I glued on a piece of .062” steel in the area that I had planned on setting my cup. That way, it’s easily removable and adjustable if it interferes with my shifting. When not in use, there’s no indication that any modification has been done. It holds pretty well and you don’t struggle to remove or reposition it.