Added: 10/26/04
The guys at Zeta have improved the installation process since this article. Find the updated instructions here:
http://www.zetaproducts.net/scion_xaxb_install.html


OK guys, I just installed the Zeta Products center armrest in the ol' xB. It took just a few minutes and now I have somewhere to rest my right arm when I drive.

1. Tools needed:
5/32" Allen Wrench (included in the kit)
11mm Socket & wrench (instructions call for 7/16")

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


2. Instructions (click for larger image)

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/02.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/02l.jpg)


3. Part of the kit

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/03.jpg


4. Preliminary Installation
First you attach the two rods to one bracket, slide the armrest on and attach the other bracket.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/04.jpg


5. In-Car Installation
Tilt the front seats forward and slide them all of the way up. Remove the plastic covers from the rear of the inner seat tracks. Set the brackets onto the tracks and loosely attach the clamp brackets with the four bolts and washers. Then tighten until the brackets don't wiggle anymore.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/05.jpg


6. Final Result (flipped down)

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/06.jpg


7. Final Result (flipped up)

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/armrest_xb/07.jpg


Thoughts:
Well, this item is sorely needed! Now I have a great armrest that is precisely positioned for comfort. The black material blends well with the interior and most people would probably think it was OEM.

There was only one concern that I had:
- When the armrest is flipped up it will still interfere with your elbow if you drive with your seat reclined. If you drive in a full-upright position this is not an issue

Overall? This product is well worth the $125.00 and I wouldn't hesistate to buy it again.

Want to buy?
http://www.scionlife.com/store/catInterior.php

what other options do we XB owners have as far as armrests?

In regards to an aftermarket arm-rest...
I mesured the dimension in the xB and I think this will fit.

:idea:

go to:
http://www.jcwhitney.com

Search on SKU# SF135858A


Details:
PADDED AND UPHOLSTERED CENTER ARMREST/STORAGE CONSOLE
Slips easily between your seats (needs 5" or wider space)
Sturdy metal legs can be adjusted up to 6" apart and fit securely over OE console with sloped sides
Won't interfere with brake lever, gear shift or seat belt operation
The grained vinyl upholstery comes in black or gray and is double-stitched for strength. Hinged lid covers 3-3/4"W x 9-1/4"L x 3-1/4"D compartment for your tapes, sunglasses, change, etc. Adjustable forward and backward to the position best for you.

PRICE: $40
:wink:

checkout breunor he has plans for an armrest/storage console made out of wood covered in black wool cloth that i made for a total of $20 and an hour of work and it looks factory. :idea:

I bought the JC Whitney generic armrest based on the suggestion in this thread. Don't buy it. It is from Taiwan. It has no installation instructions or mounting pieces. And, it is way too low to work as an armrest in an xB.

The JC Whitney armrest works fine for me, and looks much better than the $120 custom Zeta product.

I agree that it sits too low if you put the mounting "feet" on the floor. I put the front two feet (covered with some scrap door edge moulding) into the part of the console tray where the parking brake is. It needs to go back as far as possible (to where the tray starts to curve up) to access the brake. The rear feet are drilled for mounting screws. Level the armrest and use black sheet metal screws to screw it to the console.

The JC Whitney armrest makes the parking brake a bit hard to release, since it doesn't fold up, but you gain some additional covered storage the other armrests don't have. From the front seats the armrest looks totally stock, and the bracket is not too bad looking from the rear--and the tiny rear cupholder is still accessible.

If you don't mind a couple of small holes in the rear of the console I think this is a decent product for the price.

Do you have pics?

Speaking of arm rests, i like to roll the windows down and use that as my arm rest. BUT, the door lock gets in the way, so i am wondering if anyone has come across a way to replace those and install shorter one to make them flush with the body. If anyone knows if these are available I would appreciate that information! Thanks!

g

Here are some pics of the JC Whitney armrest install. Please forgive the tacky aftermarket seat covers, but its beach season here ...

http://home.att.net/~ulmr/armrest_closed.jpg


http://home.att.net/~ulmr/armrest_open.jpg


http://home.att.net/~ulmr/front_feet.jpg


http://home.att.net/~ulmr/rear_mount.jpg


http://home.att.net/~ulmr/rear_cup.jpg

Is the parking brake a problem?

Hi
I installed the Zeta armrest in my xB, and I can tell you that it doesn't interfere with the parking brake. :)

Here's a link to my web page on the armrest...

http://www.allscion.com/armrest.html

Best regards,
Paul
Allscion
http://www.allscion.com
[/img]

Is the parking brake a problem for the JC Whitney armerst? It looks pretty close.

Yes, the JC Whitney armrest is close to the parking brake lever. If you live in a very hilly area and have to set the brake really hard, then it might not work for you. Putting the brake on would not be a problem, but releasing it might be. Because of the space, releasing is a two-finger operation--you can't grap the lever with your whole hand. But with a normal brake set, even my wife, who has weak hands, can release it with the somewhat contorted two-finger technique.

For those who want to spend three-times more for the Zeta, confirm that you can use the parking brake without flipping up the armrest. That would be a real hassle to have to flip the armrest up and down every time you get in and out of the car.

The real question is why Toyota moved the parking brake to the console position in the first place. It could have been left in the bB position and we could have had a console shift lever and an armrest, without all this kluging.

The parking brake is not a problem for the Zeta armrest.

The real question is why Toyota moved the parking brake to the console position in the first place. It could have been left in the bB position and we could have had a console shift lever and an armrest, without all this kluging.
Where is it in the bB and how hard would it be to move it?

My biggest gripe on my xB is what I consider to be totally useless interior space planning. I'm trying to figure out what mod I want to make to provide a usable center console armrest with cupholders for the kids in the rear....AND....a complete re-use of the glove box/cubby space on the right side of the dash....I'm leaning to a solution suited to "business" use such that rather than a flip out glove box it is a flip out file folder or some such thing....

The real question is why Toyota moved the parking brake to the console position in the first place. It could have been left in the bB position and we could have had a console shift lever and an armrest, without all this kluging.
Where is it in the bB and how hard would it be to move it?

My biggest gripe on my xB is what I consider to be totally useless interior space planning. I'm trying to figure out what mod I want to make to provide a usable center console armrest with cupholders for the kids in the rear....AND....a complete re-use of the glove box/cubby space on the right side of the dash....I'm leaning to a solution suited to "business" use such that rather than a flip out glove box it is a flip out file folder or some such thing....

http://amc-alumni-singapore.org/bb/bb-11.jpg
If you can make it out you see that little white thing bellow the yellow tag? Thats the warning label on the e-brake of a bB. The picture is of KapitanE's bB. I think there is a better picture some where but not sure. I think it might be hard to convert the brake from a bB right hand drive auto to a left hand drive manual xB. Might get in the way of the clutch.

I just installed one in my xB. I bought it on Fri, got it on Monday, installed it Monday night. The install was amazingly simple. The rest is an excellent color match. NOTHING like what it looks like in the pics. It is the same black as the rest of the inside. I am 6' 210. I don't keep my seatback in real reclined position. The rest is in a perfect postion between the dash and my seatback. I get to use the whole armrest. Real nice! But, it doesn't stick out like obvious aftermarket. The height is just about perfect. I say that because I prefer a very high armrest, so I would suspect it is fine for most all. I don't have any affiliation with Zeta. I have bought an armrest before, for my volvo 240 from a competitor of Zeta, and this was superior.

Great product,

Chris

Also the access to the parking brake, rear cubby, etc is not impeded. I will post pics soon.

I just installed one in my xB. I bought it on Fri, got it on Monday, installed it Monday night. The install was amazingly simple. The rest is an excellent color match. NOTHING like what it looks like in the pics. It is the same black as the rest of the inside. I am 6' 210. I don't keep my seatback in real reclined position. The rest is in a perfect postion between the dash and my seatback. I get to use the whole armrest. Real nice! But, it doesn't stick out like obvious aftermarket. The height is just about perfect. I say that because I prefer a very high armrest, so I would suspect it is fine for most all. I don't have any affiliation with Zeta. I have bought an armrest before, for my volvo 240 from a competitor of Zeta, and this was superior.

Great product,

Chris

The zeta rest is sweet piece and I can assemble and install them in less than fifteen minutes. I could not live with this, looks to rigged

http://home.att.net/~ulmr/rear_mount.jpg

I saw this hot armrest the other day, but didn't want to hunt it down. That looked sweet!

I just ordered one. How tall is it. It looks a little short. I may drill some new holes at the bottom of the rest mounts. I'd love it if it was as tall as the left side rest.Here are some pics of the JC Whitney armrest install. Please forgive the tacky aftermarket seat covers, but its beach season here ...

I should make it clear that I'm interrested in the hight of the JC Whitney