Cup holder conversion for ashtray

[firefighterchevy]

I just joined the board and have been searching high and low for the cup holder as well for my 69 Custom 10. Well, I gave up, and I don;t like anything out there on the market. I also read on some forums in my search that guys out there made them from either Toyota or Subaru cup holders. So the search began...
I looked all over our local self service parts lot, and just couldn't stand the thought of introducing a foreign vehicle part into my American classic just to keep me from chasing my Coke across the cab. What I did find was parts from another Chevy and some modification to the factory ash tray bracket and I built my own last night.
I would be happy to post pics of the build if anyone is interested.

[doo142]

I'm would like to see it, thanks

[jjzepplin]

I'm IN!

[no1udknow]

2 words..... CENTER...CONSOLE.... :-P

[luke1968c10]

I had a nice one for a while that was a direct replacement for the ashtray. Not sure who makes it(I found it in a truck at the junkyard). It would hold a big coffee cup without a problem. After hitting a bump and splashing mountain dew on the cd player a few times I decided it wasn't a good idea. I built a center console and it worked as a speaker box junk box and cup holder. Not sure what happened to the ashtray one but if I can find it you can have it. You'll have to pay for shipping though.

[firefighterchevy]

The first picture (if they loaded right) is what I started with. It's the stock ash tray and slide mount. This one is from a 72. I have noticed that some ash trays slide on plastic tracks, and some trays are roller ball type. I believe my conversion should work with either frame. The second picture is the end result, right before I welded and installed it. It's a cup holder from a 95-99? Chevy Lumina.
As I didn't take pictures through the build, I will add more step by step pictures on the next one I build, when I get more parts to do it. As soon as I get them added, I hope it helps members put one together quicker then I did, and it should take all the fight out of finding the right parts in the junk yard to make one.

[doo142]

Very cool , thanks for posting

[firefighterchevy]

Here are some more pictures for the ash tray/cup holder conversion. I'm not sure how to add information to each picture, but the start to finish process requires a die grinder, a small hammer, drill and various bits, and a wire welder to tack weld the finished product.
Remove the ash tray mounting bracket from the vehicle, which is obvious. I used brackets from 1971 pickups, even though I have noticed that some ash trays use plastic tracks, and some ash trays use roller balls. This conversion should work for either bracket.
Note the marker measurements on the bracket. They are measured at 3/4 inch high and approx. 2 inches in from the edge. I used the lower "corner" to measure from. The assembly I used was from a 95 Lumina. The picture shows the assembly as you take it out of the car, right down to which four spot welds to drill out. You only drill out four spot welds total, if you drill out all six, then you just removed the stopping tabs for the cup holder. I will post more pictures in the next post.

[firefighterchevy]

Here the pictures show what you end up with the install in the ash tray bracket. Note the second picture shows the tabs that need to remain on the cup holder. The third picture shows the cup holder tack welded in the bracket. This is where the hammer come in to "finesse" the cup holder into the bracket. The fourth picture shows the cup holder installed in a 4 speed pickup. It clears the shifter with no problem at all. The last picture is installed with the face of the ash tray installed. To do that, drill out the two rivets that hold the face to the tray, take the die grinder and cut off the rivet tab, so you are then left with a "flat" face. Use a piece of double face tape to install the ash tray face onto the cup holder handle. To get it installed in the correct position, leave the cup holder in the closed position, hold the face up to the bumpers on the dash to appear "closed", then pull the cup holder against the face so its attached in the correct position.

[firefighterchevy]

Here it is in the closed position, and you can tell it looks like a stock ash tray, much like the aftermarket kits that were offered years ago. The open position with the can in it shows the clearance from the dash/radio area. Good luck with your conversion!

[Super_Dave]

I'm thinking about a cup holder for my wife and we in my '74... since I don't really need the Ashtray for smoking. Tobacco, that is...
Everyone knows tobacco is bad for your health; then again, so is lead poisoning... I think I have room....

[firefighterchevy]

Oh great, that opens up ideas in my mind for my 93 Suburban console...good thing I'm left handed, makes the out-the-window shots so much easier when I go hunting.
But seriously, I really hopes this help at least one person add a cup holder to their pickup, Blazer, or Suburban that really has been on the high and low search for a cup holder solution and doesn't want to add a center console.

[Lemield]

Very nice conversion. Thanks for sharing.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by firefighterchevy

... makes the out-the-window shots so much easier when I go hunting.

Only problem I had was trying to defending myself with a Double Tall Hazlenut-Vanilla Latte...