DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest

raghuvir · 21st February 2013, 15:45

Finally the front centre arm rest has been fitted.

Time taken: 2 hours.
Tools needed: Spanners, Screw driver, Drill machine.
Bought the Universal Arm rest from ebay for around Rs.1100/-.
Extra screws, nut, bolts were sourced from my factory, actual costs will be approximately Rs. 20.

How to do it:
1. The handbrake cowl is held in position by two bolts. These need to be removed.
2. First I used the arm rest for a couple of days without fitting, just to make sure I get the right position for it.
3. Made the markings for the rear bolts to be fixed first.
4. Fitted the rear of the arm rest with bolts and spring washers and nuts on the inside.
5. Put the armrest attached to the cowl in position again to check the alignment.
6. Once you are sure it is perfect, make the markings for the front fitting.
7. Remove the cowl+ arm rest and fit the front with nuts and bolts with spring washers, to avoid the nuts coming loose because of the vibrations, however small they may be.
8. Put the attachment in place and fit the cowl front bolt.
9. Now you need to remove the top front screws, the ones that hold the side plates attached to the arm rest and turn the arm rest backwards.
10. This will give you room to fit the second bolt in the cowl.
11. Now put the arm rest back in position and fit the front top screws.
12. Enjoy a comfortable ride with the new arm rest!

GTO · 22nd February 2013, 16:35

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Mods & Accessories Section. Thanks for sharing!

aka_iitd · 22nd February 2013, 17:16

Good DIY
More intermediate pictures will help for bhpians to take forward.

starter · 22nd February 2013, 23:02

Thanks a lot for sharing this information Raghuvir.
I and many of my friends are apprehensive about buying the universal arm rest since we are unsure if it would fit between the two seats of our car, would it be possible to use the hand brake and so on.
These kind of threads really help the respective car owners to go ahead and buy one.
Thanks again for sharing this with all of us.
Cheers,
Deepak

Mohanan · 28th February 2013, 09:03

Raghu,

You made my day, this was the exact post I was searching for in TBHP. The arm rest from Ebay and your DIY text have satisfied my queries. Thanks a ton!!!

BTW... is this arm rest that you sourced from Ebay a height adjustable one?

raghuvir · 28th February 2013, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mohanan

Raghu,

You made my day, this was the exact post I was searching for in TBHP. The arm rest from Ebay and your DIY text have satisfied my queries. Thanks a ton!!!

BTW... is this arm rest that you sourced from Ebay a height adjustable one?

Yes Mohanan it is height adjustable. You can adjust the height by removing the top two screws on either side, you can see these in my first pic. Also, it has a knob below the arm rest that can be turned to adjust the angle of the arm rest. I have realized that my fitment is the optimum height required, wherein you can change gears without lifting your hand a lot.

Chow,
Raghuvir

swiftnfurious · 2nd March 2013, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by raghuvir

Finally the front centre arm rest has been fitted.

Time taken: 2 hours.
Tools needed: Spanners, Screw driver, Drill machine.
Bought the Universal Arm rest from ebay for around Rs.1100/-.
Extra screws, nut, bolts were sourced from my factory, actual costs will be approximately Rs. 20...

Excellent thread. I am infact wanting to get this done on my Swift and is confused a lot. I had seen the products in eBay and some of the arm rests do NOT fit the last gen Swift as per the sellers. Also I noticed that there are two sizes of arm rests and I want ONLY the wider one, which I think you managed to lay your hands on.

Could you tell me what's the measurements of the arm rest you installed? If possible, please check the listings and you may find it. I am delaying my purchase since I am NOT able to make out whether the arm rests which I check on eBay are the wider ones or not.

parsh · 2nd March 2013, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by raghuvir

Finally the front centre arm rest has been fitted.
...
Bought the Universal Arm rest from ebay for around Rs.1100/-.

Big thanks Raghuvir for posting this. I am also looking for the same in our Etios. Can you provide the link to the item on ebay? Also, does it have a cup holder at the back as some armrests sport? Also try to post a few more photos from all sides and angles including the fitment at the base.

Mad Max · 3rd March 2013, 08:52

This looks really great . Did you cover the armrest with some leather etc.. it matches your car interiors well. Any issues reaching the hand brake after this install?

raghuvir · 3rd March 2013, 20:34

Mod team note: Back to back posts, please use Multi Quote (Quote +) instead. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Excellent thread. I am infact wanting to get this done on my Swift and is confused a lot. I had seen the products in eBay and some of the arm rests do NOT fit the last gen Swift as per the sellers. Also I noticed that there are two sizes of arm rests and I want ONLY the wider one, which I think you managed to lay your hands on.

Could you tell me what's the measurements of the arm rest you installed? If possible, please check the listings and you may find it. I am delaying my purchase since I am NOT able to make out whether the arm rests which I check on eBay are the wider ones or not.

swiftnfurious, got an arm rest for my brother's old swift yesterday (yes, the one that fits in the cup holder) and guess what, it fits fine, however, the arm rest is so way back, that you could probably only touch your elbow on the cushioning. And also, the cushioned part does not slide forward. So, dont buy the old swift arm rest from ebay. However, you can use the one I have fitted. My guess is it would be perfect for the old swift too. Will check the measurements and post tomorrow.

Cheers,
raghuvir

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsh

Big thanks Raghuvir for posting this. I am also looking for the same in our Etios. Can you provide the link to the item on ebay? Also, does it have a cup holder at the back as some armrests sport? Also try to post a few more photos from all sides and angles including the fitment at the base.

parsh, I purchased it a couple of months ago, so cant find the link. It's the Coido Arm rest that sells on ebay. It does not have the cup holder at the back. More photos...tomorrow for sure.

Cheers,
raghuvir

raghuvir · 6th March 2013, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max

This looks really great . Did you cover the armrest with some leather etc.. it matches your car interiors well. Any issues reaching the hand brake after this install?

Coincidentally, and much to my amazement, the leather covering the arm rest is the exact same as my seat covers. And yes, it a bit odd reaching for the hand brake, but I can sacrifice it for the driving comfort. After looking at the handbrake assembly (when I removed the cowl) it does seem possible that it can be modded...will probably wait for the warranty period to get over before I do that.

Cheers,
Raghuvir

captain.torque · 7th March 2013, 12:41

Hey I found a similar armrest for 999 on Vicky.in here's the link. Thinking of getting it for my Swift. http://www.vicky.in/shopping/swift-c...-car-accessory

parsh · 7th March 2013, 12:58

The item seems to be selling at one of sellers for Rs 999/- on ebay. http://www.ebay.in/itm/160985138541?...84.m1423.l2649

Gray is the one I am looking for our Etios.

21st February 2013, 15:45	#1
raghuvir BHPian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pune Posts: 90 Thanked: 78 Times	DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Finally the front centre arm rest has been fitted. Time taken: 2 hours. Tools needed: Spanners, Screw driver, Drill machine. Bought the Universal Arm rest from ebay for around Rs.1100/-. Extra screws, nut, bolts were sourced from my factory, actual costs will be approximately Rs. 20. How to do it: 1. The handbrake cowl is held in position by two bolts. These need to be removed. 2. First I used the arm rest for a couple of days without fitting, just to make sure I get the right position for it. 3. Made the markings for the rear bolts to be fixed first. 4. Fitted the rear of the arm rest with bolts and spring washers and nuts on the inside. 5. Put the armrest attached to the cowl in position again to check the alignment. 6. Once you are sure it is perfect, make the markings for the front fitting. 7. Remove the cowl+ arm rest and fit the front with nuts and bolts with spring washers, to avoid the nuts coming loose because of the vibrations, however small they may be. 8. Put the attachment in place and fit the cowl front bolt. 9. Now you need to remove the top front screws, the ones that hold the side plates attached to the arm rest and turn the arm rest backwards. 10. This will give you room to fit the second bolt in the cowl. 11. Now put the arm rest back in position and fit the front top screws. 12. Enjoy a comfortable ride with the new arm rest! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by raghuvir : 21st February 2013 at 18:24. Reason: Costs were not shown earlier.
	(14) Thanks

22nd February 2013, 16:35	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,696 Times View My Garage	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Mods & Accessories Section. Thanks for sharing!
	() Thanks

22nd February 2013, 17:16	#3
aka_iitd BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 630 Thanked: 45 Times	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Good DIY More intermediate pictures will help for bhpians to take forward.
	(1) Thanks

22nd February 2013, 23:02	#4
starter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,127 Thanked: 903 Times	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Thanks a lot for sharing this information Raghuvir. I and many of my friends are apprehensive about buying the universal arm rest since we are unsure if it would fit between the two seats of our car, would it be possible to use the hand brake and so on. These kind of threads really help the respective car owners to go ahead and buy one. Thanks again for sharing this with all of us. Cheers, Deepak
	(1) Thanks

28th February 2013, 09:03	#5
Mohanan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 39 Thanked: 15 Times	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Raghu, You made my day, this was the exact post I was searching for in TBHP. The arm rest from Ebay and your DIY text have satisfied my queries. Thanks a ton!!! BTW... is this arm rest that you sourced from Ebay a height adjustable one?
	() Thanks

3rd March 2013, 08:52	#9
Mad Max BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 941 Thanked: 1,448 Times	This looks really great . Did you cover the armrest with some leather etc.. it matches your car interiors well. Any issues reaching the hand brake after this install?
	() Thanks

7th March 2013, 12:41	#12
captain.torque BHPian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Delhi Posts: 209 Thanked: 775 Times	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest Hey I found a similar armrest for 999 on Vicky.in here's the link. Thinking of getting it for my Swift. http://www.vicky.in/shopping/swift-c...-car-accessory
	() Thanks

7th March 2013, 12:58	#13
parsh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,612 Thanked: 1,298 Times View My Garage	Re: DIY : Etios Front Center Armrest The item seems to be selling at one of sellers for Rs 999/- on ebay. http://www.ebay.in/itm/160985138541?...84.m1423.l2649 Gray is the one I am looking for our Etios.
	(3) Thanks