91-94 Land Cruiser Ashtray Accessory Bracket

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xetura

xetura

10 Year
Joined
Aug 10, 2015
Threads
12
Messages
300
Location
Gladstone, OR
Hey all. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but being a new father the last two years has really minimized my personal time.

With that being said, I have absolutely no use for the ashtray and wanted to make something useful to take its place. Switches, usb ports, or whatever will fit in this area will work, so I started off by designing one for 2x round usb ports hooked to my stereo (roughly 29mm opening each). A few prototypes later and I'm really close to getting something done. Please note that this is still in the prototype stage and there are still some kinks to be worked out. Most noteably the spacing in the front and around the edges where it meets the bezel.

20230602_132047.jpg


I made it so it uses the two upper screw mounting holes and the two posts sticking out.

20230602_132052.jpg

20230602_132152.jpg

20230602_132205.jpg

The only problem is... my dash bezel is broken where a clip is supposed to go.. and of course I lost the clip to go there.
I've been trying to find an OEM replacement, but I'm not sure what it's called: "Spring clip", "nut clip", "U clip", "clippity clipperton".. who knows.
EDIT: Found some at Harbor Freight. For $5 I'll give it a shot and see if it works. U-Clip and Screw Assortment, 170 Piece - https://www.harborfreight.com/170-piece-u-clip-and-screw-assortment-67588.html

20230602_132130.jpg


I would like to make these to sell, but I need to source this clip somehow. I also need to confirm that I have the correct screw to use in said clip before I start finalizing everything. If anyone could help, that would be much appreciated. (I'll reply with a pic of the screw. It won't let me attach anymore pictures).

On the topic of selling them... I'm currently unable to print anything but PLA, which won't work long-term for vehicles since it warps with heat. I have a new printer that can print ABS, but It's currently not assembled yet and will take some time. So if anyone is following this thread, please be patient.
 
Last edited:
xetura said:
Hey all. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but being a new father the last two years has really minimized my personal time.

With that being said, I have absolutely no use for the ashtray and wanted to make something useful to take its place. Switches, usb ports, or whatever will fit in this area will work, so I started off by designing one for 2x round usb ports hooked to my stereo (roughly 29mm opening each). A few prototypes later and I'm really close to getting something done. Please note that this is still in the prototype stage and there are still some kinks to be worked out. Most noteably the spacing in the front and around the edges where it meets the bezel.

View attachment 3338719

I made it so it uses the two upper screw mounting holes and the two posts sticking out.

View attachment 3338720
View attachment 3338722
View attachment 3338723
The only problem is... my dash bezel is broken where a clip is supposed to go.. and of course I lost the clip to go there.
I've been trying to find an OEM replacement, but I'm not sure what it's called: "Spring clip", "nut clip", "U clip", "clippity clipperton".. who knows.
EDIT: Found some at Harbor Freight. For $5 I'll give it a shot and see if it works. U-Clip and Screw Assortment, 170 Piece - https://www.harborfreight.com/170-piece-u-clip-and-screw-assortment-67588.html

View attachment 3338721

I would like to make these to sell, but I need to source this clip somehow. I also need to confirm that I have the correct screw to use in said clip before I start finalizing everything. If anyone could help, that would be much appreciated. (I'll reply with a pic of the screw. It won't let me attach anymore pictures).

On the topic of selling them... I'm currently unable to print anything but PLA, which won't work long-term for vehicles since it warps with heat. I have a new printer that can print ABS, but It's currently not assembled yet and will take some time. So if anyone is following this thread, please be patient.
Click to expand...
You could create a JB WELD corner
 
And when you're up and running, I would like something like this but with rectangle switch openings
 
I'm interested in the original round one once you can print in something that can handle the heat. I'd like to throw a couple of Bluesea double usb ports in there for powering/charging devices. I've had bad experiences with PLA printed parts deforming in the heat.
 
CharlieS said:
I'm interested in the original round one once you can print in something that can handle the heat. I'd like to throw a couple of Bluesea double usb ports in there for powering/charging devices. I've had bad experiences with PLA printed parts deforming in the heat.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's why I'm waiting to print ABS before I sell these. PLA is no good for vehicle stuff. I just use it for prototypes.

The round Bluesea dual usb modules should work. The measurements are similar to the ones I've been using.
 
It's been a hot minute, but I ended up getting a killer deal on a 350x350x400mm build area printer (Ender 5 Plus) that was extensively upgraded. So I'm now able to print stuff other than PLA. I also ended up going with PETG instead of ABS. I'm currently dialing in my printer now to print PETG, I just need to fine tune the retraction settings, refine the model a little more and I should be good to go.

20231104_140405.webp


I also have an accessory bracket that fits where the stock "subwoofer" goes. It'll have heated inserts on the back and screws in from the front. All hardware will be included. (The red just means it's a prototype. I'm currently trying to match colors with filament).

395613263_7070672729610486_6129469024996389748_n.webp


396535828_7070673646277061_5292901296977054931_n.webp


I'm also designing an overhead console that deletes the sunroof controls, houses my 12 gang switch panel, my CB and will have custom swivel map lights. But that's going to take a bit of back and forth from design and test printing.
 
That ashtray insert is cool. Glad to see some support for us in the 93/94 world.

And when is it going to be ready?

Do you think your ashtray bracket could be made to hold something like this?

It says it needs a 3cm hole. Not sure the size off the lip.

It is almost scary how cheap this things are.

65W USB-C Charger with Volt Meter



Screenshot 2023-12-08 172253.webp
 
sjpitts said:
That ashtray insert is cool. Glad to see some support for us in the 93/94 world.

And when is it going to be ready?

Do you think your ashtray bracket could be made to hold something like this?

It says it needs a 3cm hole. Not sure the size off the lip.

It is almost scary how cheap this things are.

65W USB-C Charger with Volt Meter



View attachment 3502008
Click to expand...

This is the one I'm currently using in the bracket. I believe the opening is 28mm or 29mm. I can widen it to fit easily, but I'm pretty sure most of these use the same base. Have you bought the outlet yet? If you have, measure it with calipers to make sure. I can do custom stuff no problem.

I'm super close to being able to sell these. I'm currently dialing in my main printer and waiting for some new nozzles that should be here tomorrow. I don't want to sell people something that isn't up to my standards. I want it to be a solid product and not rush it. I'll definitely reply to this thread when I'm ready. But it is the holidays, so my free time lately has been sparse.
 
GoGators93 said:
I'd be interested if you could do a blank plate (no holes). I'd want to install a ram ball to mount a GPS there.
Click to expand...
Same here! I deleted my ashtray and basically need a good cover for the hole.

Sign me up for a blank.

-Rob
 
Once you settle in a design, it might be worth having a few product testers to validate and refine the product. I did this with the guy that makes titanium/3D printed key fob replacements for the 200 series, and the design went through several iterations with minor tweaking/adjustments before it was finalized. I think it was beneficial to him (but that's just an assumption). We do that all the time in the software world with alpha and beta testers.
 
You could make one to fit a standard toyota rectangular switch -- like the 95-97 diff lock switch or emergency light switch. Then it would also fit Wit's End's nice little dash-hole plug if those become available again, giving people lots of different options for mounting balls.

I think you find there is a lot of pent-up demand for 93-94 options.

switch.webp


wits end plug mount.webp
 
Another thought-- if people are going to be attaching ram mounting balls with heavy items, maybe you should make another "lip" on the bottom of the bracket (extending backwards into the bezel) so the bracket can also be screwed to the bottom of the bezel. It seems like attaching it to both sides of the bezel opening would make the whole stronger and better able to hold a phone or tablet.
 
I like the panel you made that fits in the hole where the oem subwoofer used to be. Maybe make another version that instead of 4 USB/12V outlets have one of the openings accommodate an air fitting. A lot of people have air compressors in that location.
 
sjpitts said:
You could make one to fit a standard toyota rectangular switch -- like the 95-97 diff lock switch or emergency light switch. Then it would also fit Wit's End's nice little dash-hole plug if those become available again, giving people lots of different options for mounting balls.

I think you find there is a lot of pent-up demand for 93-94 options.

View attachment 3507452

View attachment 3507453
Click to expand...
we've got the wits end ones in stock
 
GoGators93 said:
I'd be interested if you could do a blank plate (no holes). I'd want to install a ram ball to mount a GPS there.
Click to expand...

I just need to figure out the thread size and pitch and I can put a threaded heat insert into the bracket so it's nice and strong. It'll need to be thicker as well, but that's easy to model.

RivMan said:
Same here! I deleted my ashtray and basically need a good cover for the hole.

Sign me up for a blank.

-Rob
Click to expand...

This is a great idea! A blank would be pretty straight forward.

CharlieS said:
Once you settle in a design, it might be worth having a few product testers to validate and refine the product. I did this with the guy that makes titanium/3D printed key fob replacements for the 200 series, and the design went through several iterations with minor tweaking/adjustments before it was finalized. I think it was beneficial to him (but that's just an assumption). We do that all the time in the software world with alpha and beta testers.
Click to expand...

I planned on doing this, actually. Just not quite there yet.

sjpitts said:
You could make one to fit a standard toyota rectangular switch -- like the 95-97 diff lock switch or emergency light switch. Then it would also fit Wit's End's nice little dash-hole plug if those become available again, giving people lots of different options for mounting balls.

I think you find there is a lot of pent-up demand for 93-94 options.

View attachment 3507452

View attachment 3507453
Click to expand...

Definitely. I planned on making a few variants and ones with square switch holes were at the top of my list.

sjpitts said:
Another thought-- if people are going to be attaching ram mounting balls with heavy items, maybe you should make another "lip" on the bottom of the bracket (extending backwards into the bezel) so the bracket can also be screwed to the bottom of the bezel. It seems like attaching it to both sides of the bezel opening would make the whole stronger and better able to hold a phone or tablet.
Click to expand...

So, my original design actually mounted to the bottom two screw holes/mounts as well, but once I tried to install it, I found it impossible to get any kind of screwdriver in there to screw it down. For the ram ball, I might be able to do something different to make this work, but I'll have to get something designed and start testing it first before I'll know 100%.

Kabanstva said:
I like the panel you made that fits in the hole where the oem subwoofer used to be. Maybe make another version that instead of 4 USB/12V outlets have one of the openings accommodate an air fitting. A lot of people have air compressors in that location.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea and would be pretty easy to implement.

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. I'll post here when I have any updates.
 
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