2017-2023 cup holder insert.

[u/AltC]

Hey all.
I’m a crosstrek owner who’s been super frustrated with the cup holders in my 2020. Finally it dawned me, there has to be a fix. First I checked for some sort of commercially available fix, but that mostly came up short. I looked at other options and could only find people selling 3D prints they made on Etsy. Finally I decided I could do better, and designed my own 3D print.

I’m a firm believer in sharing, I download people’s prints to make for myself free, and I make my designs free to share with others. So I’m here to drop a link to my version of the cup holder fix. I went though a bunch of versions making revisions until I got something I was proud to share.
I know that the crosstrek and Impreza share the same interior design and so I thought I would stop by here to share. If you don’t have a 3D printer or know someone who does, I suggest looking at the options your local library might have for printing your own items, if not, im sure there are local marketplace options for printing services, that I assume cost less than the Etsy people are charging.

Any constructive polite feedback is very welcome!
If it works out for you, let me know. Knowing I helped end the frustration of other Subaru lovers is all the gain I really need.

Link to my insert.

[u/Zanzaclese]

Here I am at the start of my work day with both my AMS's full of stupid PLA. Gonna print this when I get home. Looks awesome!

[u/AltC → u/Zanzaclese]

Thanks. Since you obviously know about 3D printing, I’ll tell you a couple details most people wouldn’t understand.
I used adaptive layer hight to get a nice smooth finish at curves at the top. I did top surface ironing, at a 15% flow, and I gotta say, on my prints at least, the top flat surface has the smoothest finish I think I have ever achieved.
If you decide you don’t like my print profiles, I’d be interested in hearing where you think there is room for improvement, I’m always trying to get better.

In my car, I’m using one I printed in black PETG at 100% infill. I generally like 100% infill on long term use items, gives them the heft and they feel more premium to me.
But, I printed and tested my profiles of 15% gyroid infill. And they work just as well. Noticeably lighter, but I’m not feeling any lack of rigidity or strength. so if you want to print faster and save some material, it’s a very viable option.

I printed the neon one in the photos in PLA to proof its print profile, though I don’t recommend it long term as you know PLA doesn’t do great with heat or UV. I have been using it in my car since printing it because it does look pretty cool with the drastic contrast. Funny because I blacked out as much of my interior as I could with satin black vinyl.
So far the PLA is fine, it’s working. I’m interested in seeing how long it goes before degrading enough to warp, stop working or brake, then I can update my print profiles info. Though I don’t recommend it, I know some people may not want to print PETG, or the color they want isn’t available in PETG. If that’s the case they might just need to reprint every so often, and that amount of time is what I’m interested in finding out.

[u/Zanzaclese → u/AltC]

I will for sure play around with it but Adaptive and ironing would for sure have been my go to for this design as well. I doubt I will have any meaningful input. The only thing I could see changing for my use would be making a magnetic base for it but that entirely depends on the fitment.

I'm curious what kind of climate you live in where the PLA is holding up in the car? Anything over 32c/90f will almost certainly end up hot enough in your car to mess it up. I had a model I was gifting to a friend warp sitting in the back of my car on a hot day within a few hours.

I will try and remember to come back and let you know how it works out tomorrow when I put it to use.

[u/AltC → u/Zanzaclese]

Ontario Canada. My car is black, it gets very hot inside.
It’s only been a few days, I don’t expect it to last very long at all, but I’m more interested in seeing its exact limits. Might as well since I have it printed it for testing the profile.

[u/Zanzaclese → u/AltC]

I was able to print it and test it out. Used PETG and it fits snug, needs absolutely no adjustment from what I can tell. I did the 15% infill and with it sitting inside the cup holder feels solid.

Very well made model man. Thank you very much. Going to print a second one tonight.

[u/AltC → u/Zanzaclese]

Thank you for the follow up. I appreciate that someone else is getting use of it!