Let's make a RAM mount out of a cup holder...

Ric in RVA · 12-14-2015, 05:02 PM

TLDR version:

I hacked up a cupholder to attach a Ram Mount.

1> The flat part of the cup holder that the cup sits on simply lifts off. I'll call this the cover. Below that are three small Torx Screws. Remove and save.

You can see the Torx Screws here:

This leaves you with the part you stick in the center console and the cup holder part. I will refer to the flat part that was cupholder as the base.

2> Cut off the cup holder arms close to flush (remember to put the cover back on and allow for its thickness) and file or sand smooth the nasty bits left. I have a mill so I just machined off the parts I didn't want after cutting off the cupholder.

3> Drill the hole in the base for the ram ball mount with the cover in place so the two holes are aligned.

I used this: http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-349U

4> Remove the plastic webbing on the back side of the base to clear the nut on the Ram Ball. Install the ball in the base.

5> Screw the base back onto the mount.

6> Take the cover and enlarge the hole to fit the base of the ram mount.

7> cut the base through the hole into two parts and snip the clips off the back side leaving a little stub of plastic. Take a couple of dabs of adhesive RTV or epoxy and glue the cover back onto the base.

8> Enjoy!

(minus the cover in this pic)

katsooba · 12-17-2015, 02:30 PM

nice idea!
better if you can get a spare cup holder

Downeaster1 · 12-23-2015, 10:26 AM

I'm going to scan my cupholder and see what I can do in CAD.

Ric in RVA · 12-23-2015, 02:24 PM

Let me know...my kid has a 3d Printer!!!

Ideally you could do a generic male plug with platform to attach what you wanted to it.

Gangplank · 01-17-2016, 06:42 PM

I'm thinking about ordering up one of the clip on cup holders to see if I can replicate this. I don't have a mill tho so I'd be using a dremmel.

12-14-2015, 05:02 PM	#1
Ric in RVA Bergspyder 1469 Rep 1,212 Posts Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (1)	Let's make a RAM mount out of a cup holder... TLDR version: I hacked up a cupholder to attach a Ram Mount. 1> The flat part of the cup holder that the cup sits on simply lifts off. I'll call this the cover. Below that are three small Torx Screws. Remove and save. You can see the Torx Screws here: This leaves you with the part you stick in the center console and the cup holder part. I will refer to the flat part that was cupholder as the base. 2> Cut off the cup holder arms close to flush (remember to put the cover back on and allow for its thickness) and file or sand smooth the nasty bits left. I have a mill so I just machined off the parts I didn't want after cutting off the cupholder. 3> Drill the hole in the base for the ram ball mount with the cover in place so the two holes are aligned. I used this: http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-349U 4> Remove the plastic webbing on the back side of the base to clear the nut on the Ram Ball. Install the ball in the base. 5> Screw the base back onto the mount. 6> Take the cover and enlarge the hole to fit the base of the ram mount. 7> cut the base through the hole into two parts and snip the clips off the back side leaving a little stub of plastic. Take a couple of dabs of adhesive RTV or epoxy and glue the cover back onto the base. 8> Enjoy! (minus the cover in this pic) __________________ Ric in RVA 2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum Last edited by Ric in RVA; 12-14-2015 at 05:13 PM..
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12-17-2015, 02:30 PM	#2
katsooba First Lieutenant 85 Rep 354 Posts Drives: bmw 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Israel iTrader: (0)	nice idea! better if you can get a spare cup holder __________________ 135i N55 / KW V3 / MHD Flash / Tons of grip mods / CP-E charge pipe / CP-E 7" FMIC
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12-23-2015, 10:26 AM	#3
Downeaster1 BMW Master Tech 587 Rep 850 Posts Drives: E30, E36, E82, E90, F10, F80 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Aston Martin V ... [0.00] 2010 Lamborghini LP ... [0.00] 1985 Alpina C2 2.7 [0.00] 2017 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2013 BMW 135is [0.00] 1992 BMW 325i [0.00]	I'm going to scan my cupholder and see what I can do in CAD. __________________ 135is #502 of 586 BMW LED Performance Wheel \| OEM FULL Carbon Fiber \| E9X M3 Gauge Cluster \| E9X Exterior Mirrors \| E9X M3 Full Suspension \| E9X M3 Diff \| PT-CAN2 Enabled \| Bilstiens \| Michelin PSS's \| NBT Navigation Retrofit with Touch Pad
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12-23-2015, 02:24 PM	#4
Ric in RVA Bergspyder 1469 Rep 1,212 Posts Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (1)	Let me know...my kid has a 3d Printer!!! Ideally you could do a generic male plug with platform to attach what you wanted to it. __________________ Ric in RVA 2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum
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01-17-2016, 06:42 PM	#5
Gangplank Brigadier General 1541 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	I'm thinking about ordering up one of the clip on cup holders to see if I can replicate this. I don't have a mill tho so I'd be using a dremmel.
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