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53K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  K-Man S 
#1 ·
http://www.planet-9.com/gallery/files/3/centerconsolenews.jpgSometimes you see something you like only to have it taken away. Other times you just want to achieve some sort of balance between a bunch of different parts, to combine them into a harmonious whole. Whatever the ultimate reason was, I decided that I was already disappointed in the flat plain alcantara center console arm rest that Porsche provided from the factory. It didn't match what I had seen on a GT4 in Europe during the launch and seemed rather boring when compared to the rest of the deviated stitching interior. Surely there must be an answer...

Porsche could not provide one. You can accept the default console lid or maybe get one with the Porsche crest embossed on it, but still a short one, and still plain alcantara, no leather no stitching and your wallet would take yet another punch from the Porsche options tax man. The answer was to talk to Frank at Exclusive Option www.exclusiveoption.com who specializes in creating custom leather and deviated stitched items for Porsches. In fact Frank knew exactly what I was talking about, the taller center console with the leather and alcantar combo (side leather, top alcantar) with the racing yellow deviated stitching. Frank could either recover my center console lid, or if I provided him with a lid for a taller center console he could do that for me as well. I went to Ric at Suncoast Porsche, another site sponsor, and ordered up a standard 992 / 718 taller center console and had the lid sent directly to Frank while Ric shipped the inner shell and new spring to me. Frank performed his magic, creating another piece as good or better than anything Porsche turns out.

There was only one problem. On a 911 the console plastic cover just pops right off, you install the new center console and you are done. Not so for the 981 Cayman GT4 (or any 981 Cayman/Boxster)...

Click Here to Read the Entire Article with Install Photos
 
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#3 ·
If you read the article on a PC there is a picture with both side by side I think, if not you can probably look them up on Suncoast website. There is a noticeable size difference and for me it puts the center arm rest in a more comfortable position. The added storage is just a perk, I was after the look more than anything.

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#6 ·
I took the easy/inexpensive way to do this on both a 2013 911 and 2016 Cayman. I simply unscrewed the padded part of the are rest from the plastic cover shell and inserted 1 inch plastic spacers to the front most screw holes. I did have to purchase longer metric screws but they were easily found along with the spacers at Lowes, Home Depot. There is a space between the armrest and plastic shell but it is really only noticeable when you bend down and look at it from the side. I took detailed pictures but did not know how to download them. In the pictures, I used white spacers to view the assembly better, but black spacers will look more concealed. If anyone wants to see pics, just private message me with your email address and I will send them.
 
#9 · (Edited)
K-Man S:
Thanks so much for that great instruction article. I purchased a Suncoast version of the higher armrest with crest, stiching, and additional storage space inside. It is very nicely made. Their site refers to your installation instructions on P9 for the other vendor so that's how I came across it.

I would not have attempted it without your instructions and pictures. You made a difficult job very simple. About 1.5 hours from start to finish. The best tip was when you said to keep the lid partially released when reinstalling the plastic piece around the hinge. I was trying to do it with the lid down and it was impossible and I was getting frustrated. I then remembered you made a reference to having it partly opened and when I used that method it snapped right into place! Thanks again for the taking time to lay it all out in such a concise manner.
 
#11 ·
You are very welcome, glad that helped out!

I got one of these arm rests, and after reviewing the excellent how to by K-Man, I had a look at my 981 BS as I planned my install. There is a speaker in the carpet behind each seat.....I guess those come out first, before removing the carpet? Or leave in, remove carpet, disconnect from behind? Has anyone with speakers back behind the seats removed that rear carpet?
I don't have speakers so I don't know for sure, but I would sort of assume that you have to take the speaker grills off at least if they are on the outside of the carpet and holding it down in some fashion.
 
#10 ·
I got one of these arm rests, and after reviewing the excellent how to by K-Man, I had a look at my 981 BS as I planned my install. There is a speaker in the carpet behind each seat.....I guess those come out first, before removing the carpet? Or leave in, remove carpet, disconnect from behind? Has anyone with speakers back behind the seats removed that rear carpet?
 
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