Hopefully this is enough information to make fitting the IS/Altezza OEM armrest easier. It took me about 11/2 hours but I was taking lots of pictures at the same time. My car is a 2002 Altezza Auto.

First remove the lid from the old box. Just two screws hold it on.


Then pull out the felt base and remove the two screws at the bottom of the box.


Now remove the handbrake gator. Just pull it straight up and the two tabs will pop out.


Removing the ashtray is easy enough but the panel in which it sits is a little delicate as it is attached to the chrome ring around the gear stick. I managed to remove it without using any tools. I did it by first lifting the forward part of the ashtray recess with one hand and then lifted the rest bit by bit.


Disconnect the cigar lighter and lights then remove the panel.


Remove these two screws.


Pry off the caps and remove these two screws (one either side)




These nasty little tabs (one either side) were the hardest bit for me. The easiest way I found to release them was to reach inside the console and pull them in towards the centre of the console and pull the console back at the same time. It did take quite a bit of effort though. If you have a mat over the transmission tunnel in the back of the car you need to remove it for clearance. Once they are free, carefully lift out the console.


Closer look.


With the console upside down remove the rear cup holder draw and steel housing. To remove the draw you will need to push down two steel tabs. Once the draw is removed lift the tabs back up (as pictured)


Remove four screws and take out the draw housing. Remove the remaining two screws and the old box will lift out. Picture shows the new box in place.



Back to the car. The bracket over the handbrake cable can be removed. The bracket is no longer needed. Keep the bolts.
On my car there were two sticky pads covering two more threaded holes that are used for the armrest tower. They’re not really needed but I had two spare bolts and so went ahead and used them.


Bolt down the armrest tower with the stamped arrow pointing to the front of the car.


Carefully replace the console. Replace all the screws to fix the console in place. Insert the magnet hole cover.


Install the hinge cover making sure that the five tabs enter their receptacles (three on the bottom and one on either side)
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/uploads/1136651340/gallery_8290_191_34011.jpg[/img]

Install the armrest onto the hinge. The bar arrowed in the picture needs to drop into the slot at the top of the hinge.
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/uploads/1136651340/gallery_8290_191_92027.jpg[/img]

Now drop the armrest down and then insert the bolts (they are shoulder bolts so you can’t over tighten them). Do this from the back seat with the front seats all the way forward.
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/uploads/1136651340/gallery_8290_191_98287.jpg[/img]

The only thing left to do is press on the two caps. They are marked up for left and right and with the arrow pointing straight up they will go on easy.
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/uploads/1136651340/gallery_8290_191_159548.jpg[/img]

All done.
[img]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/uploads/1136651340/gallery_8290_191_61251.jpg[/img]


Hope this helps a few people out.

Cheers

Chris

Superb Work !

This deserves to be pinned !

CAn you let me know the part number/s for the new arm resk and mount that you used. I want to do exactly the same thing. Great work on the instructions. Cheers Glen

Mr Singh is the best person to ask. Just send him a PM

I am new to internet searches, can you let me know how to contact Mr Singh and what a PM is please

PM is a Personal Message. Click HERE and you will get his profile page. Under comminicate you will see "Send a Personal Message" click on that type what you want to say and send your message.

thanks for your help

hi there i have just read your instructions on fitting the arm rest they are a1 I should know as being a mechanic i have to look at loads of manuals i wish they were as easy to follow as yours
cheers tony

If you find one for what your looking for there always put together well and verry clear, even fitting a supercharger! many thanks to you whome have done these things for us too

Craig

Its no problem at all. Glad you like it

Hi Billsy

Nice job on the arm rest, By the way how much is the arm rest cos i want to buy one exactly like yours



many thanks in advance



cheers

Hi Bilsy ,

Great post. I recently bought the full armrest kit from the U.S online.
Find the links and full part listing below. Just one word of warning...
the Full Black Leather Armrest kit was $288 plus $45 shipping,(about £177)
but with a CUSTOMS charge of £37 to add tops the total to over £200.

Armrest Kit Including Delivery from SEWELL LEXUS USA
CLICK HERE

I was delt with by Darren Diller ( DDiller@SEWELL.com) who sorted out my order
and it arrived within 5 days. When you try to pay it may only allow you to put in a
USA state address, then you will need to email them to finalize your order

£177 Plus £37 Customs Charge
($288 + $45 Shipping + customs £37)

Arm Rest Kit Includes:

58905-53050-C0 MG02H1 DOOR SUB $170.58
(Leather Armrest)

58908-53030 MI05F7 HINGE SU $27.98
(armrest support bracket)

58917-53010-C0 MI11D6 COVER C $42.48
(armrest support cover)

58911-53070-C0 MI11D7 BOX CONSOLE $20.10
(replacement cubbyhole)

58911-53080-C0 MI11D2 PANEL B $11.39
(armrest bolt cover R)

58912-53010-C0 MI11D1 PANEL B $11.39
(armrest bolt cover L)

58958-53010-C0 MI11D5 COVER C $01.68
(magnet cover)

90109-08238 x2 MI11D5(bolt) $02.40
(armrest mounting bolt)

TOTAL PARTS = $288
SHIPPING = $45
TOTAL TO PAY SEWELL LEXUS = $333 +
IMPORT CUSTOMS CHARGES + FED-EX ADMIN = $37

TOTAL LEATHER ARMREST KIT INCLUDING ALL CHARGES = £177 to credit card then £37 Customs charges.

All the parts listed are essential for the kit to fit properly.
Hope this information helps anyone who wants the FULL kit.

Link isn't working for me Wozza?

The link has changed, they have re-designed some of their site. Link replaced above.
NEW LINKY

They are selling a FULL Armrest kit on ebay HERE

hope this helps
Wozza

This also on my To-Do list, very smart piece of kit. I went for a run on Dean's IS the other night and he was just leaned on it looking cool whilst driving First one I've seen installed for real.

"I gotta get me one of these!" lol

J

I would like one of these, just increases the comfort in the Lex, onlt problem if it becomes anymore comfortable i may fall asleep at the wheel

Which can be somewhat an issue am I not correct?

J

I'll be fitting mine next week if I get time along with the new Pedal Set,
I'll start an new thread when I'm done with pics.
The armrests are now about as cheap as I think they will get from
Sewell Lexus either online or though the E-bay link.
Remember you may have to pay about £30+ to customs

Customs = Official Thieves

Only joking if any of them read this Gotta be worth the money though, excellent addition - shame they didn't come standard on them all!

J

I didnt realise i did this untill one of my mates commented on it. How did i ever live without one before

Fantastic work!

the ebay price is far higher isnt it??? $302 + $76 post big difference to the amount wozza paid

The Armrest was on special at $288 when I bought it,
but if you email them via Armrest Link ,
you may get same postage as WHAT I PAID....

Darren Diller was who I dealt with,
via this email address = DDiller@SEWELL.com
Hope this helps guys

As above I bought the armrest from Sewell USA, the link has changed again Clicky the price indicated is higher than previous, if you contact them you'll get a discount code .

P.S. I dealt with Darren Diller as well: DDiller@SEWELL.com

THANKS. VERY MUCH. IS PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!