Lighted Cup Holders

[Scar0]

It was driving me crazy not being able to see down there.
Cost:
$15 Plexiglas
$35 LED light strips 2- 12" in one package.
Connectors: 1 wire plug male, 1 wire plug female,1 ground ring, 2 butt.
3" of wire.
A whole lot of work!
Lighted Cup holders!

I started with a sheet of 3/16" Plexiglas, routed recesses into it, sanded the front and back to make it translucent.
I only used the 2 medium strips towards the center, the rest was for support while heating and bending.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Plan2.jpg

Then I heated it up on my Kerosen heater,
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup4.jpg

and formed it around a 3" pipe.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup6.jpg

Then I cut the individual rings.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup6a.jpg

I used a scribe I made, to mark the location for the holes in the cup holders.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup7.jpg

After too many hours cutting the 3 holes in each holder, to match up with the notches on the Plexiglas, I fitted the rings in place.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup8.jpg

Then I wrapped the 12" long LED light strips around the holder just below the plexi, and wired the LED lights
to the "4WD switch" light wire with the plug connectors. This allows me to dim the LEDs with the dash lights.
Sorry, I forgot to get a Pic of that.
I reinstalled the center console and here are the results.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup9.jpg

Each plexi ring is set into the holes cut in the holder by about 1/8".
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup11.jpg

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup13.jpg

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup14.jpg

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo101/Scar0/Nitro/Cup15.jpg
I love being able to see now. The best part is, the light is not anoying when driving at night. :cool:

[Toetagger]

Good job! I need to do something like that in my Ram. Already did it to the Charger.

[Jettech104]

Great job!! A++++ for the effort and time it took to do the project!!

[DaveDees]

That is too cool, I love how it turned out. I'm just might have to do that in the not-too-distant future. Rep is on it's way...

244

[dk1677]

That is a nice one Mark!

[Cibalo]

that's some skill right there, nice job

[CharlieK]

That is a really useful mod, Mark! I'm sure they come in handy. Worth the work, I'm sure.

[300 Addict]

Did that ever come out nicely! Lot's of work, but a mod well worth it! Rep for a great writeup and lot's of effort!

[Cdnoilram]

That's an awesome job, I've thought about doing this on my ram's cup holders too.

[Scar0]

Thanks for all the compliments. I really, really, do like them.
I was a little nervous doing this mod because a new console is not cheap! LOL

[CajunDodge]

Those look great, very resourceful idea! Well worth all the time and effort, great writeup BTW! :)

- Cajun

[Cdnoilram]

I've been trying to find a way to light up my new door handles and I think this is the way. I'm picking up some plexi to try it tomorrow. I love these sites, they give you too many ideas!

[Scar0]

I've been trying to find a way to light up my new door handles and I think this is the way. I'm picking up some plexi to try it tomorrow. I love these sites, they give you too many ideas!
Cool, I can't wait to see the results!
Once the Mod bug bites, you are permanently infected. These sites just encourage the infection to grow!

[SimonSRT8]

That looks real cool.

[ghost370]

That is very unique, good job.

[Cdnoilram]

Cool, I can't wait to see the results!
Once the Mod bug bites, you are permanently infected. These sites just encourage the infection to grow!
Thank you so much for the idea, i've put it to great use me thinks.
I started on it today, still need to hook up the LEDs and install to the door, but it fits and works for me. Think I might hit the acrylic with some nightshades so it doesn't stand out so much. I also bought a handle/bucket from the dealership to experiment on and this is what I've got so far.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Aerohead_418/Truck/IMG_1063.jpg

and with the new door handles (still need to powdercoat them black)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Aerohead_418/Truck/IMG_1064.jpg

[Toetagger]

Those handles should look killer too!

[Scar0]

Well Cdnoilram, how did it turn out? Inquiring minds need to know.

[Cdnoilram]

Had bad weather and not much time. still only have 1 handle done, though I'm getting the wiring for the interior and exterior handle lights in tomorrow.

[Scar0]

Cool, Looking forward to the final product.