[lemedico]

Tata Tiago armrest installation

In continuation with my accessory upgrades for my Tata Tiago XZA+ AMT 2021, here is another one- an armrest installation DIY.

I have recently installed parcel tray strings for Rs. 8, you may read about it on this TBHP thread:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...-cars-too.html (Adding parcel tray strings to a Tiago for Rs. 8 | This method would work for other cars too)


And this amazing mod to my Ciaz which broke the internet:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...rs-6500-a.html (Upgraded to an auto-dimming rear view mirror for Rs. 838 | EDIT: Honda hikes price to Rs 6500)


I bought the armrest from the Gomechanic website. I feel the pricing is absolutely unbeatable. In October 2022, I paid Rs. 1800 for the part with free shipping. There was a Rs. 200 discount for online payment on the original price of Rs. 2000. The SAME part on the Galio website was listed for Rs. 2800, and the SAME part as an official Tata accessory from the showroom was a bonkers Rs. 6000.

https://gomechanic.in/accessories/gf...onwards-292058


I got the delivery within a week, and multiple SMS + WhatsApp messages were sent regarding the order updates. The parcel was a two-box delivery, and well packaged with adequate bubble wrap.

It has a sliding cushion, however, it doesn't slide A LOT. And it opens up to reveal some storage with a rubberised mat. It is ok for your sunglasses, but without the carrying case. There are no colour options and was delivered in the full black shade. This matches the interior of the Tiago/Tigor.


NOTE: this exact part is suitable for the Tata Tigor as well. As per the manufacturer, it is suitable for models 2016 and onwards. That basically means the original and the facelift cars, regardless of the trim XE/XM/XZ/XZ+


YouTube link to the video of this accessory installation:

https://youtu.be/2OxelimpXR0

The company has its instructional video on YouTube for DIYers. That is what I had watched a few times to help me install it on mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y02NaLTe2Vw

This is needed from your toolbox:
1. Screwdriver – double head
2. Drill with a 10mm bit
3. Plastic pry tool, or a flat-head screwdriver wrapped in a microfibre cloth
4. 10mm socket for the chassis bolts
5. Marker pen
6. Super sharp knife to cut the plastic frame. I used the surgical scalpel with a blade no. 23. A Stanley knife for the non-medicos!
7. A file, to smoothen the rough-cut edges
8. Vacuum cleaner to clean up the mess made from the plastic debris.


The steps are straightforward if you follow the video or the instruction sheet in the box. A picture speaks 1000 words, a video perhaps a million. Do have a look at my video and the manufacturer’s video if you’re in the process of installation. For general reading pleasure, the steps are as follows.


1. Use the four screws to join the armrest to the adaptor.

2. Place this over the rear cup holder and use a marker to mark the five drill holes.

3. Pry out the rear cup holder and drill 10mm holes into the five marks.

4. Place the stencil on the cup holder’s frame, and mark the four slots to be cut out.

5. NOTE: This was not 100% to size and I had to further file down a few mm on each side for each slot to get an accurate position.

6. Use sheer force to cut out the plastic bits, it's not easy. And it will create a microplastic mess which is too evident on black carpeting.

7. Use a 10mm socket to undo the two chassis bolts which secure the handbrake cable.

8. Mount the metal bracket with these two chassis bolts. The bracket doesn’t stay perfectly aligned; it twists on tightening. Trial and error to make it perfectly horizontal.

9. Whack on the plastic bracket, it should mildly ‘click’ over the metal bracket in its groove. Secure this with the two included screws.

10. Replace the drilled cup holder. It will NOT slot in again as it has lost the space due to the new tenants. Just let it rest on top of it. In my opinion, the cup holder can be chucked away altogether as it now has no use or structural need for the armrest.

11. Place the armrest over the cup holder, and screw the five screws to finally secure it.

12. NOTE: the holes for the screws on the armrest, cup holder, and mounting bracket may not be lined in line with each other. Mine were not and took some nip and tuck to make it so. The video shows what I mean.

13. Vacuum up the carpets, wash your hands and enjoy your new accessory!

Here are a few photos, Thanks for reading!

[sagarpadaki]

Good DIY.

I believe Tata now offers the arm rest as an official accessory on tiago and tigor. I wonder if the installation of that is similar to what you have done.

[lemedico]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Good DIY.

I believe Tata now offers the arm rest as an official accessory on tiago and tigor. I wonder if the installation of that is similar to what you have done.

Its the same one, for a third of the cost. Tata doesn't have an official accessories brochure for the Tiago, but the dealerships install it at their level for a quoted price of nearly 6k. What a waste

[Ryan19]

Excellent guide!
Have been following your Tata Tiago guides (As a Tiago XZA+ 2020 owner and soon to be medico lol)
The car belongs to my mom (daily driver) and she's happy with it. But whenever I hop into the driving seat I always feel that the stock Osram 60W headlamps are just aren't enough.
I mean comparing those with the cars running side to side on roads and highways makes me feel like I'm driving a car without lights. Both the low and high beam throws aren't adequate for the price we pay. So, I have been looking for a cheap solution for this issue and was just wondering what solutions have you done?
I need your guidance here!

Thanks in advance!

[Reinhard]

Brilliant stuff! Utility aside (as I cannot judge it by looking at photos for myself) - the product's thoughtful design & your workmanship - is enjoyable to watch. Always a fan of products with thoughtful design & installation setups, without any "jugaad".

I'm guessing it will make life miserable for the 5th passenger in the middle. And in my personal opinion - its a fantastic thing. I just hate 5 people in a car! Its more uncomfortable than an autorikshaw then. So anything that stops a 5th person from getting in - is welcome in my books .

Thanks for sharing the thread. Should definitely be very useful for many Tiago/Tigor owners.

[lemedico]

Originally Posted by Ryan19

Excellent guide!
Have been following your Tata Tiago guides (As a Tiago XZA+ 2020 owner and soon to be medico lol)
The car belongs to my mom (daily driver) and she's happy with it. But whenever I hop into the driving seat I always feel that the stock Osram 60W headlamps are just aren't enough.
I mean comparing those with the cars running side to side on roads and highways makes me feel like I'm driving a car without lights. Both the low and high beam throws aren't adequate for the price we pay. So, I have been looking for a cheap solution for this issue and was just wondering what solutions have you done?
I need your guidance here!

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your words.
I'm with you on the headlight issue. Mine is also a non-projector one and it is quite weak at night, especially when I'm used to projectors and LEDs in all my other cars. I hardly drive this one after 2pm to be honest, as I use it exclusively for my journey to one particular hospital. During the rest of the day, I drive something else. I remember a similar problem with my '09 Jazz, and I simply upgraded the headlamps to 100/90w Philips halogens with a Philip's relay. That cost me ₹1400ish in 2019. The result was amazing and I was very comfortable using it on Expressway drives at night as well. I shall be doing the same to the Tiago in a few weeks. Upgrading to projector fogs or projector headlamps is a five figure bill. I'm not in that ballpark, but for someone who is, there's no better upgrade than that!

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Brilliant stuff! Utility aside (as I cannot judge it by looking at photos for myself) - the product's thoughtful design & your workmanship - is enjoyable to watch. Always a fan of products with thoughtful design & installation setups, without any "jugaad".

I'm guessing it will make life miserable for the 5th passenger in the middle. And in my personal opinion - its a fantastic thing. I just hate 5 people in a car! Its more uncomfortable than an autorikshaw then. So anything that stops a 5th person from getting in - is welcome in my books .

Thanks for sharing the thread. Should definitely be very useful for many Tiago/Tigor owners.

Thanks for your appreciation!

The 5th passenger will have to come in a second vehicle haha. Though there is no additional restriction to the foot space after installing this, I too prefer fewer people crammed into one car. Then again I drive this solo, I've never even had anyone on the passenger seat!

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by lemedico

Tata Tiago armrest installation

In continuation with my accessory upgrades for my Tata Tiago XZA+ AMT 2021, here is another one- an armrest installation DIY.

I have recently installed parcel tray strings for Rs. 8, you may read about it on this TBHP thread:

Great DIY!

Is it possible to use flat head screws to reduce the protrusion of the screws at the base?

[lemedico]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Great DIY!

Is it possible to use flat head screws to reduce the protrusion of the screws at the base?

Perhaps, if you find screws with the same pitch and radius. The originals don't stick out a lot though, however I'd have liked them to be jet black like the base. That would conceal them more.

[salbin]

Originally Posted by lemedico

I shall be doing the same to the Tiago in a few weeks. Upgrading to projector fogs or projector headlamps is a five figure bill. I'm not in that ballpark, but for someone who is, there's no better upgrade than that!

Using 100w bulbs create lot of heat - almost double that of OEM wattage. So expect the reflector to get faded within no time.
If you observe the Cab segment, most of the drivers using cars like Indica are replacing higher wattage bulbs and the reflector, H/L transparent cover all will be yellow. So please keep this in mind before switching to 100w bulbs.

[lemedico]

Originally Posted by salbin

Using 100w bulbs create lot of heat - almost double that of OEM wattage. So expect the reflector to get faded within no time.
If you observe the Cab segment, most of the drivers using cars like Indica are replacing higher wattage bulbs and the reflector, H/L transparent cover all will be yellow. So please keep this in mind before switching to 100w bulbs.

I've upgrade to 100w bulbs in two other cars. Nothing has gone wrong with either. They are driven quite a bit at night, and yes the plastic feels warm but no physical damage has been noted to any bit of the headlamps

The yellowing is a natural outcome regardless of bulb swaps. Yo can see it in any car, even the most luxurious. It's merely ultraviolet damage which inevitably needs compounding

[lemedico]

Another addition to my Tiago is the wireless boot lamp.
Have a look!

https://youtu.be/3_YthN33EZE