OEM cup holder din module?

Has anyone with a 99 or 00 added the cup holder module ala the newer models and relocated the air controls to the bottom? I am really interested in doing this and called the dealer and was told there are only three parts and that they're cheap relatively speaking. The module itself is about 75 bucks then there is a cage like retainer and a trim bezel. Other than that you would just use the trim bezel for the bottom air and toss it in the bottom spot where the shelf is and yank out the tape holder and throw the shelf there or vice verca. Any ideas on doing this? I also am going to be replacing the middle center section with the carbon one that I have already, all I need to do that is a torque driver and the radio pulls right? Thanks I am really eager to slap the carbon in, and at the same time updating the interior look and having a place for a soda!

I got a price on this recently as part of an after market navigation install that I have in the works, and was told that in addition to the new cup holder assembly and the trim bezel and the retainer frame, the job also requires a new air vent assembly (about $160) which seems logical if you look at how the newer vents are flat along the bottom and don't have the horizontal black plastic trim piece below. This brought the parts total to around $450 as I recall. If you find out that the new air vent assembly is not necessary, I'd certainly like to hear about it. All seem to agree that in any event the work required for the install is no big deal.

I removed the in dash cupholders on a friend's 2001 Boxster - just reverse the process. Here are the complete pictures. <a href="http://www.babblers.org/board/archive.pl?read=15873" target="_blank">Babblers</a> You can only do this with the style cupholders shown in the picture - the new style cupholders that came out in the 996 in 2002 will not work on the older cars. Jeff <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/ToolPants/cupholder_1.jpg" alt=" - " />

You could also consider the Bird Armrest w/built in cupholder. <img src="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/BirdPlugRingsWEB.jpg" alt=" - " /> <a href="http://www.birdautomotive.com/Armrests.htm" target="_blank">BIRD Automotive</a>

The cupholder in the Bird Armrest is well engineered and easy to install. Serves 3 purposes; armrest; storage; cupholder.. Hey Rob, I see you had your 'button' painted AS. Did you have any troupble pulling the OEM lock out? <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/doncapecod/Arctic_Silver_non_smoker_s_tray_and_console_keyhole_plug.sized.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/doncapecod/DSC00015_001.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

Not too much trouble Don. I used the tool provided and pulled hard, I was kind of scared I was going to break something. I had thought about painted the plug for awhile, when I saw your pics that sealed it.

Tool Pants, how sure are you that the 2002 cup holders won't work in the earlier models. I've been assured by the shop here that by installing the 2002 air vent assembly and retainer bracket that the 2002 cup holders go in just fine. The idea here being that you then don't have to give up one of the bays (of which I don't have one to spare). If I were doing it from scratch, I'd certainly look into the Bird unit but with this NAV install its all going to be torn apart anyway so it would be the perfect time for the 2002 upgrade... if it would work.

Interesting. I have the center console, (carbon) which is a full nav size. I assumed that I can plop it right in with the parts as I have seen and have pics of other cars with the same console and the units in it! Let me know if there are any issues with it, otherwise I am going to do it tomarrow assuming that the dealer has the stuff I need!

The shop manager at my local dealer who is also a tech advisor to PCA already tried this last year when the new style cupholders came out in 2002 for the 996 (and in 2003 for the Boxster). The duct going to the vents was also changed in 2002. I would like to be proven wrong. Has your shop ever done this or are they just telling you it can be done. I have seen the backside of the old and new style vents and they are different. Jeff

TP is correct the center air duct in MY02 on are different than the earlier cars. The newer cupholders will not work.

Thanks for that Tool Pants, it certainly sounds like your guy knows what he's talking about. Here in Seattle you see about one 996 a month on the road if that gives you an idea of what kind of advice you end up getting compared to in So Cal... Its been about a 6 month project for me just to try to get someone to build a navigation screen into my dash (which thanks to Rennlister Harry, I hear is an everyday deal down there). I'm almost there, and it sounds like you've saved me a big headache on trying to incorporate those 2002 cupholders into the project.

Hmm. I am not going to give up! Viva the cupholder mod!

WEll I found the kit at the local dealer. It is the single din module it was about 80 bucks. I figured I would slap it in when I put in the carbon center, but to my severe displeasure, I can't use the carbon center as it is meant to be used with a nav, and I don't have the nav. I though I could bust something with it but evidently not. Anyone want to take it off my hand? If not I am going to ebay it. Oh, ps. that cup holder kit had on of the cup holders broken! I have to take it back tomarrow. Stinking cup holders!