1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Ultimate First Gen Upgrade

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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:23 PM
  #1  
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Ultimate First Gen Upgrade

I needed a comfortable center console armrest versus the lid that my 85 GSL-SE has...............

I looked everywhere and found that an 97 Volvo 960 armrest fit exactly in the rx7's area..........

This has a well padded top with a secret............a pull out cup holder.........

I took it apart and painted the plastic to match my burgandy interior..........then re did the leather from beige to burgandy...........I used the same leather as my seets were recovered in..............Canoga Auto and Top
did this for me..........

I used sheetmetal screws and epoxy to attach the bottom plate of the lid to re-attach back to the console........


I am very pleased........comfort and and area for a can or water bottle.......Does not touch any of the window controls or joy stick......

Check out my pictures.........

Jim

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/stoneypea...rmrest&.view=t
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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:29 PM
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Hmmmm....
Really nice Jim. It's just what my red interior needs. Do you know if any other Volvo years/models will work?

Thanks

jeryj
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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:36 PM
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No

I used to have a 740 and 240 wagon.........

Both of those would not fit...........

The 960 had the cup holder....that went upward.......

When I saw that it cleared the controls......I was on it........

It is really comfortable..........

Jim
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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:40 PM
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excellent job, man! not just the center console, but the whole interior. i think the shifter, and e-brake color-matching gives it more of a "newer car" aura, but still keeps it in great taste.
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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:52 PM
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I am thoroughly impressed. More pics of your ride Jim?
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Old Sep 12, 2002 | 11:42 PM
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Very, very nice work there! Now that's creative!
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 12:47 AM
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Very nice!! I like it man . I wish I had the patience to find something like that for my car, lol.

~T.J.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 01:01 AM
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i must say (as everyone else is) your interior looks increadable
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 02:34 AM
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Very, very, very cool. My hat's off to you.

Is the lid on '81-83's the same? If so I should dissect a Volvo armrest and see about making a standardized replacement...
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 07:36 AM
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Excellent job, Jim. I happen to like the stock rest. But the way you thought outside the box, and then did such a beautiful job on it gets my 'double thumbs-up'!
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 08:03 AM
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Thats supersweet job. But is it hard to shift gears without hitting your drink? It looks like it might be a little in the way.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 08:31 AM
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With both full, you are right it can be done but you touch.....If you have one can on the passenger side

No problem....It is still low enough that you are going over the cans to shift versus through them.....If you have a tall water bottle I move it over and its great.......

I will take a couple more shots to show you....

They stay put when you hit the canyons .......I take box canyon to work everyday.......In So Cal.....

Jim
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 09:05 AM
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Nicely done! I'm very impressed! I've been thinking of replacing my lid because of a large depression in the center. Now I have a GREAT excuse to do so!!
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 10:31 AM
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Great idea! Guess it's time to start combing junkyards again.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 10:33 AM
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So.....97 Volvo 960 armrest where can you get it from? Dealership? Junkyard? etc...

-Error402
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 10:59 AM
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Man, this even better than porting my motor ..... :-)

I'm doing it.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 11:15 AM
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Originally posted by David88vert
Man, this even better than porting my motor ..... :-)

I'm doing it.
Ummm, that may be up for debabte, but a worthwhile mod nonetheless.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 12:06 PM
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Originally posted by error402
So.....97 Volvo 960 armrest where can you get it from? Dealership? Junkyard? etc...

-Error402
Dealership, junkyard, friend, wherever
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 12:33 PM
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thats pretty cool. it even rivals manntis's cup holder solution. hehe. i wonder if i can find one to match my blue interior?
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 02:10 PM
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Nice and are your seats newly recovered? They look great.
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 04:47 PM
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Yes ..........I just did the passenger seat.........Drivers was done last month..........I used the same leather for the arm rest.............

I got the armrest off of E-bay............$10.00..........
It was beat up beige leather............not any more.......

I will ask my old Volvo Mechanic if he has any..........

I think it was on the high end models or a dealer option.............Most just have a lid cover....

Jim

I bought one of mantis's stereo/cupholders.............I got the one with the cubby hole.........I am hoping to upgrade the stereo..........and add another mod........

I will then need two more cupholders to safely transport
a six pac...............
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 04:52 PM
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My car used to have a cupholder.

Then she left.

(rimshot)
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Old Sep 13, 2002 | 06:44 PM
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Excellent job.....

Any chance you took in process pictures as you modified it to fit?

Welcome to the Retro-fit club!! :-)
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Old Sep 14, 2002 | 07:45 AM
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I uploaded two pre photos of what it looked like before took it apart...........I did not take any in the middle.....

I will try and take a few more of what it looks like when driving with both in use........
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Old Sep 17, 2002 | 09:45 PM
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From: tucson, arizona (setting off car alarms daily) (whats a presilencer?)
just wanted to say DAAAAAAAAAAMN the simplest mods make all the difference
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