Hate armrest, will the early console fit the ST?

I like the 2014 Fiesta ST armrest -- it is more like an elbow rest and is more out of the way than the Polytech Foha armrest in my 2011 Fiesta.

I believe the lower trim levels still have the old console design, so I'd imagine they are interchangeable. I think BRGT350 and a few other guys are planning on doing just that.

You'd lose the USB ports, aux port, and SD card reader unless you wanted to put that somewhere else. I don't think you'd have an issue using an earlier console though, the 2014 Fiestas use the original style console without the armrest. I hate armrests myself and from driving the Fiesta ST several times I never hit it with my elbow or anything. It's far back enough to not be in the way for me, though at that placement it is very useless as an actual armrest, but that's ok. I can still use it as junk storage and I like the USB ports being inside it so I can hook up a device and hide it in the armrest.

Sil3nt611 said:

You'd lose the USB ports, aux port, and SD card reader unless you wanted to put that somewhere else. I don't think you'd have an issue using an earlier console though, the 2014 Fiestas use the original style console without the armrest. I hate armrests myself and from driving the Fiesta ST several times I never hit it with my elbow or anything. It's far back enough to not be in the way for me, though at that placement it is very useless as an actual armrest, but that's ok. I can still use it as junk storage and I like the USB ports being inside it so I can hook up a device and hide it in the armrest.

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The early console has one USB port and one aux port which is enough for me. I agree that having my iPod exposed is not a good thing as I have already lost one. Unfortunately I have long arms and like having the seat in the lowest position. Raising it up solves the problem but then there's not enough room to clear my helmet when autocrossing.

I think everything will swap directly over, but you will need to find a way to wire in the USB/Aux jack from the armrest canyon to the original location for the 2011-13 cars. You might lose the SD card slot, or find a method to attach it to the older console. Since the wires pass under the console from the infotainment center, you can plug the USB and Aux jack into the original console without any problems. Since none of the 2011-13 cars had the SD card, that might be a problem.

The good thing about the swap is that no more sore elbows, an extra usable cup holder, no more places for Pennywise the clown to hide in the car (I am sure he lives in there and attacks elbows on shifts), no more spring loaded cup holders to fling your coffee cup into the shifter, no more obstruction when using the hand brake, and glorious look of a center console without a wart between the seats.

There are 2 things I hate in the world; sedans and armrests.

BRGT350 said:

There are 2 things I hate in the world; sedans and armrests.

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If that's really all you hate, then you must be a pretty content person.

Sil3nt611 said:

If that's really all you hate, then you must be a pretty content person.

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yes, but I have a lot of hate for those 2 things

I'm learning to dislike this armrest clown too !!

Plan B is to buy another armrest cover and strip it down to just the lower part and then build a shorter and padded armrest on top. Should be able to lower things by 3/4 inch and the padding should neuter Pennywise somewhat.

I actually like the armrest and I'm only 5'8 1/2.... I am the only one that thinks it's good apparently lol I would never molest a new car and change anything that you could get used to after awhile.

FiestaST said:

I actually like the armrest and I'm only 5'8 1/2.... I am the only one that thinks it's good apparently lol I would never molest a new car and change anything that you could get used to after awhile.

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I don't hate it because it never got in my way. I don't have an ST yet though so I can't say that overtime it won't annoy. Of the driving of STs I did I never hit my elbow or even noticed it was there really. I like that it opens up especially since I need somewhere to store my sunglasses since Ford left out the sunglass holder.

This armrest annoyance all depends on the dimensions of your body. I have a short torso which causes me to raise the seat high, which in turn lifts my elbow clear of the rest. So I'm one of those people who actually like the armrest. It's too bad Ford didn't make it adjustable.

I know its bringing a thread back from the dead, but has anyone done this yet. I'm more than willing to be a guinea pig if we know what parts are needed. At 6'4" the armrest juat doesn't work for me. In fact, it is counter productive. The geometry with the shifter just doesn't work.

The 2011-2013 console should fit just fine, the only issue is the connections for the USB, Aux, and SD card if you have navigation. The USB and Aux on the early consoles are mounted between the shifter and the handbrake, where the 2014+ cars have them in the armrest. None of the 2011-13 cars had navigation with the SD card, so the project gets more involved if you have navigation on your ST.

I have seen a few with illuminated cupholders as well. I'm trying to track down the right part numbers so I can make an order. Im definitely ready for the swap. Just did a ten hour road and the armrest interfers with my arm to such an extent that I have been missing the 2 to 3 shift, getting hung up on the gate between 1st and 3rd.

At 5'9" at first not too happy with arm rest and shifting but now at 5k miles have grown to like it because unconsciously I modified my shifting to keep from hitting my elbow.

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I find it interesting that people are having this problem. I'm 6'4'' and haven't noticed an issue at all. I can imagine it would be very frustrating, however, so I hope people are able to find a workaround that they are happy with.

My seat is set low, but I think I must drive fairly close to the steering wheel, because I have no trouble reaching the shifter and rowing through the gears.