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

Ric in RVA · 12-14-2015, 06:02 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, 03:30 PM

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

Downeaster1 · 12-23-2015, 11:26 AM

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

Ric in RVA · 12-23-2015, 03:24 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, 07:42 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, 06:02 PM	#1
Ric in RVA Bergspyder 587 Rep 794 Posts Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (0)	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, 10 Land Rover LR4, 2011 528i N52, 18 F150 Platinum, Sequoia, 01 Excursion FOR SALE, a few motorcycles. Last edited by Ric in RVA; 12-14-2015 at 06:13 PM..
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12-17-2015, 03:30 PM	#2
katsooba First Lieutenant 66 Rep 339 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 / CP-E 5" DP / CP-E charge pipe / CP-E 7" FMIC
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12-23-2015, 11:26 AM	#3
Downeaster1 BMW Master Tech 296 Rep 745 Posts Drives: E30, E36, E82, E90, F10, F80 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Calabasas, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1985 Alpina C2 2.7 [0.00] 2017 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW 128i [5.00] 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, 03:24 PM	#4
Ric in RVA Bergspyder 587 Rep 794 Posts Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (0)	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, 10 Land Rover LR4, 2011 528i N52, 18 F150 Platinum, Sequoia, 01 Excursion FOR SALE, a few motorcycles.
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01-17-2016, 07:42 PM	#5
Gangplank Colonel 1267 Rep 2,706 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sprt DCT - S Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL iTrader: (1) 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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