In this tutorial, I will be installing the *clears throat* Scion CD Center Console Armrest (http://www.scionarmrest.com), by Boomerang, into my xA. The Boomerang armrest is one of the newest aftermarket armrests for the xA/xB. I'd like to thank the people at Boomerang for providing an armrest for this install.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/01.jpg

Tools needed:
- Medium Philips screwdriver
- Small Philips screwdriver

Here is what comes with the armrest:
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/02.jpg
Outer shell, lid assembly, 2x console stabilizers, 3" long screw w/ washer, 4x black 5/8" long screws, instruction manual (pfffft), and a 32 CD carrying case.

To start things off, go ahead and push the front seats up all the way and recline them forward. Doing this will give more room to work...

Clean out the rear cup holder. Take the fabric piece out of the rear cupholder.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/03.jpg
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/04.jpg

Take the regular sized Philips screwdriver and remove the screw in the rear cup holder.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/05.jpg
The center console is secured by that screw and two fasteners in the front, under the front cup holders. If the front becomes detached during the install, just re-attach the two fasteners (white) to the console and pop them back into the floor.

There are flanges on the rear of the center console.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/06.jpg

Slide the console stabilizers onto the center console in front of the flanges. Then, slide the console stabilizers over the flanges. The stabilizers should cover only 1/2" to 3/4" of the flange.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/07.jpg
Make sure the stabilizers clear the handbrake.

Anyway, once you have both sides done, lift the carpet over the stabilizers so the stabilizers rest on the bare metal floor.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/08.jpg
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/09.jpg

After you lift the carpet over the console stabilizers, you can put the outer shell into the rear cup holder.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/10.jpg

Now, insert the 3" screw (w/ washer) into the hold in the outer shell. Using your hand, feel for the screw through the gap and guide it into the provided hole.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/11.jpg
Again, make sure the console stabilizers clear the handbrake, then hand-tighten the screw. Try not to over tighten the screw. If that happens, your center console or outer shell of the armrest may crack.

Once the outer shell and center console are secured to the car, take the lid and inner lining assembly (open faced) and place it over the outer shell.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/12.jpg

Use the four provided black 5/8" screws to fasten the lid assembly to the outer shell.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/13.jpg
Make sure not to over tighten the screws, as they may strip the pilot holes.

Once you tighten the screws...voila! The installation is done. Close the lid, sit in the driver (or passenger) seat and feel the difference!

Here is a comparison picture:
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/boomerangarmrestinstall_xaxb/14.gif
(5 second delay)

If you have any questions, please post here, pm, or email me.

wow i never knew about that huge gap in the back. i wonder if you could install it without those stabilizers?

The gap is still there after tightening the 3" screw down. It's not that noticeable, but those with a keen eye will notice it...I'm sure you could install the armrest without the stabilizers, but it probably wouldn't be as...stable. :P

My gap doesn't seem quite as bad. There is one, it just seems very small. You can't really notice it unless you bend down and look for it. Awesome tutorial by the way!

Yeah, I was contacted by Chris Fischer of Boomerang about the gap. The console stabilizers should only go over the flanges by 1/2" to 3/4". I edited the tutorial accordingly...

Here are pics of the gap with the stabilizers in the right place
http://www.mikochu.com/car/boomerang/boomerang19.jpg
http://www.mikochu.com/car/boomerang/boomerang20.jpg
http://www.mikochu.com/car/boomerang/boomerang21.jpg
http://www.mikochu.com/car/boomerang/boomerang22.jpg

Take a peice of foam and place it under the carpet where the gap would be.Tape it in place and that will fix it.

Price on this item? Looks pretty nice. Does the texture and color of the plastic match factory perfectly?

Very nice Mike! And Thanks!

Hmm, looks like something I need to get. Where can I get one?

(Where did you get the Livestrong yellow bracelet?)

Very nice Mike! And Thanks!

Hmm, looks like something I need to get. Where can I get one?

(Where did you get the Livestrong yellow bracelet?)
You can get the armrest at Boomerang's armrest site at www.scionarmrest.com. Also, I think Stylis is selling them at his shop... I heard he's giving them out for free... :lol:

With the LIVESTRONG bracelets...My mom got some. Some kid that goes to her school bought a 100 pack, or something, and was selling them. They have youth and adult sizes. Check here Crick Me (http://store.laf.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=19&track_id=WEARYELLOW). They seem to be out of stock as of right now, though. :(

Very oool! and simple install.
I know what I want for xmas..

u can get the livestrong bands from discovery channel stores , most footlocker stores and various other retailers.

thanks for the write up....very nice armrest...
how much are these go for?

Cool! THANKS!

I'll see about getting a free armrest thru Stylis since he didn't post a price.

I paid $115 or so including shipping for my Boomerang. Not being mechanical, I did have to make one call for support, but it was actually my problem for not having read the instructions accurately. It looks stock once in, and I don't think I'd be liking my car nearly as much without the piece being on it.

Thanx for the info. I already have one on the way, this will help. :)

Now if it just had two big cup holders in the back to replace
the one it took over! LOL

I like the Zeta armrest better. More expensive, but it's adjustable.

http://secure.crisp.net/ecommerce/zetaproducts/product_info.php?cPath=30_32&products_id=88&osCsid=e5dc4a2c1ecaa06297967f6ec4f8fb99

I don't agree. The Boomerang armrest looks great, has more storage and looks OEM. The price is right too! The Zeta armrest is really a VW Beetle armrest that Zeta modifies to fit in a Scion. I think the metal brackets they use are ugly and look out of place.

Our armrest is not a VW part.

That is ridiculous. It absolutely is. I used to own a Beetle and it is exactly the same thing. You shouldn't mislead people on this forum. Not cool. I have no problem with the fact you are modifying a VW part, just the fact you are pretending you aren't.

The VW part costs nearly $300.00! How could we buy it and resell it for less than it costs? True it is styled similar to the VW item, but I assure you it is not made by VW.

It just does not seem like one screw would be very stable.

I still like the one i got , it looks OEM IMO...And it sits flush.



http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/data/500/1129303_12_sb.JPG





http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/data/500/1129364_12_sb.JPG

Here's my Boomerang Armrest with the Leather top:
http://img86.exs.cx/img86/525/img07298yv.jpg
http://img86.exs.cx/img86/5724/img07328nk.jpg
http://img86.exs.cx/img86/3618/img07358rg.jpg

squareone where did you get your armrest from..looks hot!

squareone where did you get your armrest from..looks hot!

Thanks! I got it off of ebay, cost 99 bucks with shipping, the sellers name is nikor2003. Very good service.

From what Mikochu said, if you lran on thid Boomerang speedrest (which is kinda thier purpose) it warps your center console.

From what Mikochu said, if you lran on thid Boomerang speedrest (which is kinda thier purpose) it warps your center console.
Huh? If you Iran on thid speedrest? :eyebrow: Have you been dinking? :P

I assume you meant to type "If you lean on the armerest....."
I have the Boomerang and I lean on it all the time. It doesn't warp or bend anything. It's very stable and it looks factory. I also got the new leather top for it and it looks awesome. The pics that LowProMofo posted are a little misleading because his flash made the leather look light grey. It's not....it's very dark graphite (almost black) and it matches the seats pefectly. I'm sure the Zeta rest is a great product as well. I just didn't care for the exposed metal supports. IMHO, that takes away from the Zeta looking factory.

I think both the Boomerang and Zeta armrests are really good. With the Boomerang, I did notice my center console sidewalls warp. After I uninstalled it, it straightened back out. Although I am not too fond of the design, relying on the center console for support, I recommend the Boomerang armrest to those with automatic transmissions. I found it a bit awkward to shift gears in my 5 speed with the Boomerang... I'm glad to hear they are offering custom leather lids, as well as armrests with custom heights.

During the installation of this armrest, I seem to have lost the two “deals / things” that hold down the center console. Anyone know what I am talking about and where to get another set of two? :doh:

I'm sure if you contact the folks at Boomerang they'll be able to help you out.

Cool! THANKS!

I'll see about getting a free armrest thru Stylis since he didn't post a price.

The price is listed up. :D

2k5 BOP xB, contact them tomorrow. They will help you out with everything with the missing pieces. :D

Thanks for the tip guys but I am not sure they can help me.
The part that is lost is not a Boomerang part. The parts that I lost are the two plastic rivets or whatever that hold down the front part of the console. These two white plastic pieces went somewhere under the carpet where I can not reach them.

I know exactly what you lost, because I had the same thing happen to me when I did LEDs in my wife's xB cupholders. Just get a flashlight and something to fish around in there with. There's only so far that they can go. I got mine back.

I love the Boomerang Armrest, and I want to get one, but has anyone see any solution to the fact that there are no cup holders in back after the install.

Yep, get a Zeta.......lol.

I love the Boomerang Armrest, and I want to get one, but has anyone see any solution to the fact that there are no cup holders in back after the install.

Its all prefrence.

I just installed my new Boomerang Armrest. It is a great product and I know that I will enjoy it very much. But, come on guys! The stabilizer pieces are way too tall for the xB application (don't know on the xA). Here's another example of "rush to market, poorly executed design and engineering. There is no reason why the stabilizers had to be as tall as they are creating a gap of 3/8" at the rear of the factory center console. I may be overly picky but there is no excuse for poor design!

I recommend the Boomerang armrest to those with automatic transmissions. I found it a bit awkward to shift gears in my 5 speed with the Boomerang...

so do a lot of stick drivers feel this way? just trying to get a consesus.

i like this armrest for the price, cd storage, and what seems to be an easy installation, but how much of a pain in the ___ could it be to stick drivers in an xb?

im 5.5 and driving a 5 speed, and I would say 2nd gear sort of gets in the way, but I sit about half way back in the seat so it is okay...

Since frankenstiens Alive and humping......
6.8 and all the way back, you think It's bad?
And loose my 3rd and precious Cup holder ACK!

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9005/scrws.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scrws.jpg)


looking for the size of these screws....thanx

pm if anything