How To: Lighted Cupholders

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Alright guys here it is. Truth be told, this is not a very difficult mod as long as you get everything right the first time lol unlike myself. Just pay close attention to what you are doing and this mod should be a peice of cake!

(This is my frst write up so if you guys got any suggestions let me know, Im gonna try and make it as idiot proof as possible so that others dont run into the same complications as i did!)

THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING, MAKE SURE THAT BUY 12V LEDS!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING ANYTHING COMPLICATED WITH RESISTORS AND ANYTHING LESS THAN 12V WILL BLOW IMMEDIATELY!

Step 1: Remove the tray inside the center console cubby to reveal the three screws in the bottom, all three of these need to be taken out. (I used a 5/16 socket)


Step 2: In front of the shifter there is a black tray that lifts out, there is two screws underneath it that need to come out. (phillips screwdriver).


Step 3: Using a pry tool of some sort, i used a flathead screwdriver, pop out the ashtray. (do this by sticking the tip of the screwdriver into the "slot" between the the radio bezel and the ashtray section and pry the ashtray forward).
Reserved for pictures.

Step 4: Once the ashtray is pulled forward, there is two screws behind it. These gotta go too. (phillips screwdriver).
Reserved for pictures.

Step 5: The chrome peice around the shifter has to be removed as well. It should come off fairly easy, all you gotta do is pull up on it. No tools required. (this is what you should end up with).

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 6: Now that all of the screws that hold the center console in place have been removed, carefully pull up & backwards on the whole assembly to expose all the electrical goodies that the console hides. (it is nice to have help for this step).


Optional Step 1: While when removing the center console, find a $20 bill. (this step is nice for buying the supplies, and lunch ).


Optional Step 2: This is a great time to vacuum and clean out underneath the console where you normally dont get a chance to clean!

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 7: Now that the console is out, the cupholders themselves need to be taken apart from the console. (the console comes apart in 3 different sections). There is four screws that hold the cupholders in. (phillips screwdriver).

There are also two "squeezy thingys" (cant think of the word right now) that hold the front of console (the part thats around the shifter) to the cupholders. Squeeze these bad boys in and the the cupholders detach themselves.


Step 8: Now that you have your cupholders apart from everything else, they come apart into two peices; the rubbery part and the hard plastic part. The easiest way to do this is to start on one of the sides at the top and just pull the rubbery part away from the hard plastic part. The rubbery part has a lip that fits into a slot of the hard plastic one.
Sorry guys i didnt take any pics of this step.

Optional Step 3: This also gives you a good chance to clean up the cupholders inside and out to get rid of the occasional sticky gooey nastyness that may have leaked into them.

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 9: Measure out where you want the lights, mark your spot and drill out the hole according to the size of the LED being used. (I put the LEDs on the outer side of the cupholder facing in towards each other. Between the two bubbles and about 1/2" up from the bottom, this puts them at about the second ring up on the cupholder [you will see what im talking about once you take apart the cupholders]). Make sure to take your time when drilling to avoid mistakes, you only get to drill once! Start small with the drill bit and work your way up until the LED fits snug in the hole.



Once the outer shell is drilled out, put the inner rubber shell back into place and drill through the same hole into the rubber to make sure that the two holes are lined up with each other.

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 10: Prewire everything. (it is easier to do most of the wiring now because it will be difficult to do once the console is in place).
Step 10a: Measure out an extra piece of wire to connect the LEDs to the power supply and attach to the LEDs. (mine came with wires attached and ready to wire up, so i didnt have to do any soldering.)
Step 10b: To ensure safety and quality, put a cap on the connections and use either electrical tape or liquid eletrical tap to seal up the connections.


Step 10c: I used zip ties to make everything a bit more organized for install.


Step 11: Complete step seven in reverse order and mount the LEDs in the cupholders. (you can use epoxy, electrical tape, heat sink or whatever you please to do this step. I also used electrical tape to tape up all of the wiring so that its not a big jumbled up mess underneath the console).
Again, sorry guys no pics of this step.

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 12: With the console all back in one piece, pre-install the console but leave yourself enough room to do the wiring. You will be wiring the cupholders into the power supply that leads into the shifter lights, this way you can dim the lights and they only come on when your headlights are on. The wire is located on the floor underneath the console, right next to the shifter assembly.



Step 13: Center splice the LED wires into the power supply. (It helps to remember which one is positive and which one is negative, yes it does make a difference and yes i did find everything out the hard way).
Yep, i forgot to take pics of this step too.

Step 14: Now that everything is wired up and works (dont forget to test these out before putting everything back together) complete steps six through one in reverse order. (This step is also done easier with the help of a friend, be extremely careful and take your time when doing this, there is no reason to rush this part.. youre already done!)

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Step 15: Sit back. Relax. Enjoy!

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

A video of the cupholders on the dimmer switch.

[Prospector]

Very well presented, Fost3r!

[FOST3RS CHARG3R]

Thank you sir!