1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

armrest woes...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by 67tony, Apr 25, 2012.

  1. 67tony

    67tony Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2012
    36
    12
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The low, uneven, and hard armrests are driving me crazy.
    Has anybody had these raised (2" console, 3" door), leveled, and softened?
    If so...how much did it cost?
    I'd love a shop in Grand Rapids or Lansing, Michigan, but figure that is quite a long-shot!
     
  2. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2011
    519
    106
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have found it odd that the door armrest is so much lower than the center console armrest.
    Kind of a weird design choice.
     
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    With my seat reclined comfortably, I find the height of the armrest just about right.
     
  4. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2009
    791
    135
    0
    Location:
    Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It definitely is a shame that this happened on such a great car. However, many people just resort to a folded cloth on either of the armrests (console/door) to provide for ample comfort. Other than that, I'm not aware of any actual solutions to have them permanently raised/softened. Good luck, and let us know if you find a better solution!
     
  5. 67tony

    67tony Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2012
    36
    12
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I guess I assum a good upholsterer could craft a remedy. I've read here about people doing it to the center console, and although the door armrest would be trickier it should still be doable.

    I'm planning several longish trips in the next few years. I'd pay to have this done, but want it done right. Probably 2" added to the center console, and 3" to the door armrest, with the proper density foam.

    Heck, if the shop was clever enough, they might be able to fashion a full length 1" tray, with dividers, under the new console cover!
     
  6. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    868
    123
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA --- Land of Fruits & Nuts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My only complaint about the interior our Prius is the arm rests on the center console and door are really hard, and especially noticeable on a long trip. One of these days I'll take the car to an upholstery shop and have them make a couple of integrated 1/2" foam pads.

    Keith
     
  7. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    The leather interior of the Four and Five trims doesn't have hard center console and door armrests.

    I've, however, been reluctant to use them too much after seeing how someone burned a hole in an Infiniti from chronic arm resting.
     
  8. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2011
    519
    106
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Chronic arm resting. Dayum. LOL! :D
     
  9. gsodonis

    gsodonis Recent Hybrid Convert

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2012
    47
    15
    0
    Location:
    Loudon, TN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    There's always #5034

    [​IMG]
     
    sfv41901 and 32kcolors like this.
  10. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    46
    7
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have a III and my elbow is killing me! Hardest non existing arm platform (certainly not a 'rest') I've ever had in a car. I use a folded towel and am thinking of either building up multiple layers of 3mm 'foamies' that they sell at Jo-Ann's and cover it with black marine vinyl (to match my newly recovered center armrest cover) or cut a piece of foam from that kneeling foam that they sell at HD and Lowes and cover that. Don't know if that'll work, but we'll see; not exactly cool driving around with a nice new car with a towel on the arm platform..... I've seen someone who sells an aftermarket armrest, but can't find it right now. If I do, I'll add it to this post....
     
  11. TheAaron

    TheAaron Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2012
    26
    1
    0
    Location:
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    When installing katzkin I hot glued some 3 inch memory foam under the center console. It's on my 2012 but was a 2010 kit so I had to trim a bit of the leather back but that extra space allowed for memory foam and now I don't have any discomfort. Quite happy with the results. And I got the katzkin cheap because its for a 10/11
     
  12. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    563
    118
    10
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I installed a pleather(fake leather) on my center armrest & feel it is better cushioned than the thin stock fabric that it replaced. Picture 1917.jpg
     
  13. tach18k

    tach18k Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    406
    38
    1
    Location:
    SoCal Beach Area
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    there is also no door sill where the window retracts into the door. No endge to put you elbow on. I have asoft towel stuffed in my door handle pocket so my leg isnt up against the hard plastic. this car wasnt for a 6 foot male.