Why do this?
It looks better then the jdm armrest when done right, and costs a fraction of what the jdm piece usually goes for. It is also wide enough to hold two drinks in it, and Honda has a cup holder accessory for these armrests as well.
What do you need?
- 88-91 CRX
- Armrest from a 96-2000 Civic (
often nicknamed EK chassis)
- One can of Flat Black Interior Paint
- Hand File OR a
Dremel (
Highly Recommended)
- Two Metric Bolts - 8 x 40mm
- Two Black Screw Caps
How is it done?
First is the shape of the front. I don't have any images of this part, but you must Dremel the shape of the CRX shifter console into the EK armrest.
My only advice is to go slow and take too little rather then too much.
Next is the color. The problem with EK Civics is they almost always come with
Grey interior.
That is where the paint comes in:
This is a paint found at PepBoys. It's pretty much a perfect match for the black Honda used OEM.
****NOTE: There are two blacks in this line of paint, MATTE and GLOSSY. The GLOSSY cap is shiny, DO NOT GET this type. Stick to MATTE (dull cap) for a real OEM finish.
And most importantly:
DO NOT SOAK OR DRIP THE PAINT, IT WILL RUIN THE FACTORY TEXTURE!
Use 3 or 4 light coats to cover it.
After I finished cutting and painting it:
Next you have to measure and drill the two holes for the mounting screws:
You can get these screws at most Home Depots, these are the exact ones with the proper threading for the factory holes in the floorboard of the car.
After you bolt them in you use the screw caps to hide the bolts.
The easiest place to find these black screw caps is in "license plate mounting kits" at your local auto parts store.
If you followed this it should look pretty much like this bolted in:
