Arm Rest Storage Bin Kit from Kip Ewing

[Kip Ewing]

Greetings all

Here's another new product introduction tonight.

Here's a practical solution to one of those minor issues of the GT; limited storage.

I have developed a conversion kit to install into the the original magnesium tunnels, the same arm rest storage bin I integrate into my carbon tunnels. The profile of the arm rest replicates the original part, though it is about 12mm higher to afford more storage space. I include a bit of padding under the leather, so the surface feels a bit more soft than the original arm rest.

The bin itself has a carbon fiber lip, and has a flocked inner surface.
The lid itself is a new-tooled item. The leather covering matches the Sparco seats and the inner lid is flocked as well. All hardware is source from other O.E.s, so durability and function is commensurate. Hinges are spring-loaded 4-bar hinges which I source from the C6 Corvette. The latch is a Toyota item. buffers are Ford.

You can see from the photos just how surprisingly large the storage area is. It comfortably holds; Emily's rather large Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, a cell phone, and has plenty of space for other things, including an iPod.

Installation requires;
1) removal of the original tunnel from the vehicle
2) the area under the original arm rest must be cut out of the tunnel to create an area to receive the new assembly
3) the new storage bin assembly is bonded to the original magnesium tunnel
4) the insulator under the tunnel must be trimmed to create a void for the storage bin volume

The kit itself includes; the storage bin assembly, structural adhesive, as well as a vac-formed trimming template.

The first two are already spoken for by a loyal customer and some guy named "Shadowman". Perhaps you have heard of him?

Interested parties can PM me for details.

 

[STORMCAT]

Nice work Kip !! :thumbsup Do you get any sleep??..:biggrin What is the area that needs to be trimmed? Is it magnesium or something else? can this be done with a Dremel type tool ?

 

[cobrar1339]

Cool :thumbsup

Can you show pics of the hole we need to cut?

Will the stock pad cover the edge of the hole area, to go back to a stock look at some time down the road ?. Likely after I die and my kid trys to restore the car in in 30 years:bored. But, just thought I would ask

 

[fjpikul]

Thank God you identified the sunglasses as someone elses.

 

[PL510*Jeff]

Thank God you identified the sunglasses as someone elses.

Frankie - did you lose yours?

 

[Kayvan]

Very nice!

The Vette has something similar with cross flags embroidered.

Not sure if you could do that for GT logo or if rights are required

 

[jdoc7]

PM sent

 

[ViperJoe]

While I like what you have created, I for one would have no interest in cutting the magnesium tunnel. Also, with the Big Mac relocation (which I did), the amp harness now runs directly under the console arm rest.

Now if you created a compartment that only required that the original armrest be removed (and of course could be reinstalled if need be) and was positioned no deeper than the original arm rest I would be very interested in that design.

 

[Spirit]

While I like what you have created, I for one would have no interest in cutting the magnesium tunnel. Also, with the Big Mac relocation (which I did), the amp harness now runs directly under the console arm rest.

Now if you created a compartment that only required that the original armrest be removed (and of course could be reinstalled if need be) and was positioned no deeper than the original arm rest I would be very interested in that design.

+ 1 ........ SAME HERE.........

 

[B O N Y]

I have one already, enough room for my SIG, to small for by Desert Storm 50. Great workmanship!

 

[MAD IN NC]

While I like what you have created, I for one would have no interest in cutting the magnesium tunnel. Also, with the Big Mac relocation (which I did), the amp harness now runs directly under the console arm rest.

Now if you created a compartment that only required that the original armrest be removed (and of course could be reinstalled if need be) and was positioned no deeper than the original arm rest I would be very interested in that design.

+ 1 ........ SAME HERE.........

=3 ...........SAME HERE..............

 

[Sinovac]

Nice work as always Kip. So when can we expect a replacement CF front storage compartment??????

 

[Kip Ewing]

cf front storage?

Nice work as always Kip. So when can we expect a replacement CF front storage compartment??????

Greetings Sinovac

Replacement CF front storage?
Do you mean the front trunk liner? Let me know what you have in mind.

As to that end of the car, I am tooling up a fitted suitcase in carbon and leather at present. I should have a photo of the master plug online soon.

 

[MAD IN NC]

Greetings Sinovac

Replacement CF front storage?
Do you mean the front trunk liner? Let me know what you have in mind.

As to that end of the car, I am tooling up a fitted suitcase in carbon and leather at present. I should have a photo of the master plug online soon.

Now that's going to be cool! :banana

 

[Sinovac]

Greetings Sinovac

Replacement CF front storage?
Do you mean the front trunk liner? Let me know what you have in mind.

As to that end of the car, I am tooling up a fitted suitcase in carbon and leather at present. I should have a photo of the master plug online soon.

Yes, the front trunk liner needs some attention, particularly those fasteners which are quite possibly the cheapest ones I have ever seen. I've seen more impressive fasteners on a bra. A full CF front trunk liner (with fasteners that do this wonderful car justice) would be a great addition as it would truly be a "drop in" affair with no modifications needed. Throw in a fitted, CF suitcase and GT owners would be proud to pop the bonnet (or whatever the English call it).

P.S. Make sure your leather is fireproof if you intend to use it in the oven that we GT owners call a trunk.

 

[PeakCompletions]

I would be interested in the trunk liner, the luggage

and

+4 for a center console that would be more of a direct replacement with no cutting of the tunnel, even if it was a little higher than the stock pad would be fine

 

[PeakCompletions]

or....

I guess going with the Carbon Fiber tunnel would allow easier restoration to stock trim if one ever wanted too.... have to think about that now :biggrin

 

[t32b]

Arm rest replacement

+ 1 ........ SAME HERE.........

Add another. Ditto. Would like the storage space - with with reversible mods. OTOH, might buy the whole carbon tunnel and store away the original.

 

[Gimbal]

Add another non-intrusive center console in CF. Just need it big enough for phone and pen for signing speeding tickets.

 

[B O N Y]

well..... take the route I did... bought a cf tunnel with storage compartment and but the original in a box... for the executor of my estate to figure out wtf it is....