idrivejunk
New member
Original equipment drink holders leave a lot to be desired, and the 97-03 GPs are no exception. Most are broken by now, and they look goofy in my opinion. I am a big fan of function over form, however. This mod solved a huge problem for me and I have done it first thing to two or three cars now. Its a lifesaver.
This is a fast and free mod that only requires an hour and a way to cut plastic. I used a Dremel tool.
You may find this very useful if you are like me and prefer to stay hydrated without having to worry about your beverage while scooting around town. Most importantly this prevents driving impaired by a giant drippy cup in your lap.
Here is the broken stock cup holder assembly:
A side shot so you can see how its held in by the pegs and stoppers. There are also V shaped springs that pop it open. I used a table knife to pry one peg at a time out. It IS tricky getting the whole thing to come out. Just protect the console bezel and pry the tabs in to free the pegs from their holes one side at a time and work with it, you'll get it out.
After that comes out, you're looking at this. Ignore the 40th hood emblem lol. Just look at all that space GM left for us to do better with!
Now- if you don't want to permanently delete cupholder in your car you can stop here. It holds a couple bottles securely.
A log jam occurs with anything larger though-
If you're thinking- "Man that looks like crap!", well the lid comes off the stock holder. Mine was busted and glued, it looks like. Anyway, if a person wanted to fabricate a slide action or hinge of some sort and keep that lid... well thats up to you. I use the "drink well" every trip so topless is fine for me. if the cut edge is too ugly, you could use door edge molding over it or something.
I used this cutter in my Dremel tool. Used it before on this kind of plastic, so I went with it.
Scribbled me a cut line, sort of. With a fine Sharpie.
Damn! Thats a shaggy looking cut! Yeah but it breaks off semi-clean. Sandpaper or whatever can be used to clean up the edge.
Now, lookadat! Half gallon o' milk drops right in, ftw! Chug a lug.
Got three or four partials rolling around? Stop that!
Heres what ya got now. Paint that bracket, maybe make a floor or a liner like a little tupperware thing so spills can't reach carpet. Lining the well with some cut pieces of black styrofoam from an old bumper impact absorber or something could be cool literally. To help hold the drink plus insulate it. Options are endless.
So there you have it... the big Gulp mod or whatever. See how now it just swallows up those fast food monstrosities? Drop a gear and have no fear, for your drink will still be near. As shown in this pic, a panic stop or even a front end crash would not send your drink flying like the OE setup.
By the way FYI yes that is the extremely rare "passenger seat delete" option you see in that pic. LOL! It rattles and I don't use it so its a weight savings. Had extra matching floormats so I threw one down there. Scan tool stays under that mat, along with an air freshener near the under seat vent outlet. Easy to load groceries and stuff that way too, the trunk sucks. Plus your passenger can really stretch their legs out from the back seat and for some, the car is easier to enter / exit without dealing with a big coupe seat in the way.
This is a fast and free mod that only requires an hour and a way to cut plastic. I used a Dremel tool.
You may find this very useful if you are like me and prefer to stay hydrated without having to worry about your beverage while scooting around town. Most importantly this prevents driving impaired by a giant drippy cup in your lap.
Here is the broken stock cup holder assembly:
A side shot so you can see how its held in by the pegs and stoppers. There are also V shaped springs that pop it open. I used a table knife to pry one peg at a time out. It IS tricky getting the whole thing to come out. Just protect the console bezel and pry the tabs in to free the pegs from their holes one side at a time and work with it, you'll get it out.
After that comes out, you're looking at this. Ignore the 40th hood emblem lol. Just look at all that space GM left for us to do better with!
Now- if you don't want to permanently delete cupholder in your car you can stop here. It holds a couple bottles securely.
A log jam occurs with anything larger though-
If you're thinking- "Man that looks like crap!", well the lid comes off the stock holder. Mine was busted and glued, it looks like. Anyway, if a person wanted to fabricate a slide action or hinge of some sort and keep that lid... well thats up to you. I use the "drink well" every trip so topless is fine for me. if the cut edge is too ugly, you could use door edge molding over it or something.
I used this cutter in my Dremel tool. Used it before on this kind of plastic, so I went with it.
Scribbled me a cut line, sort of. With a fine Sharpie.
Damn! Thats a shaggy looking cut! Yeah but it breaks off semi-clean. Sandpaper or whatever can be used to clean up the edge.
Now, lookadat! Half gallon o' milk drops right in, ftw! Chug a lug.
Got three or four partials rolling around? Stop that!
Heres what ya got now. Paint that bracket, maybe make a floor or a liner like a little tupperware thing so spills can't reach carpet. Lining the well with some cut pieces of black styrofoam from an old bumper impact absorber or something could be cool literally. To help hold the drink plus insulate it. Options are endless.
So there you have it... the big Gulp mod or whatever. See how now it just swallows up those fast food monstrosities? Drop a gear and have no fear, for your drink will still be near. As shown in this pic, a panic stop or even a front end crash would not send your drink flying like the OE setup.
By the way FYI yes that is the extremely rare "passenger seat delete" option you see in that pic. LOL! It rattles and I don't use it so its a weight savings. Had extra matching floormats so I threw one down there. Scan tool stays under that mat, along with an air freshener near the under seat vent outlet. Easy to load groceries and stuff that way too, the trunk sucks. Plus your passenger can really stretch their legs out from the back seat and for some, the car is easier to enter / exit without dealing with a big coupe seat in the way.
