Cheapo Plastic crap...lasted a little longer than I expected

[JThiessen]

So just over two years ago when I first brought my '03 home, joined the TDR, and posted about my thoughts on the quality of the new trucks, I made a BBBBOLD prediction that the cheap plastic lock mechanisms such as that on the ashtray would break well before my warranty expired..... well, the damn thing made it just past 36K.

I havent used it for anythin gother than spare change, so its not like it was subject to "everyday" use. Just venting here..... I'm really getting disappointed with the quality levels I'm seeing out of Detroit. Seems like those extended warranties are going to be our best value when purchasing in the future... .....

Anyone have any creative ideas for this area of the dash? Maybe Quads new digital guage system will fit there... ...

 

[Moose]

The latch on my ashtray isnt broken. . yet... but its not really big enough for n e thing else I carry in my truck that I need easy access to... So here is what I did with mine. . https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126458..The pics r down at the bottom of the page... TDR wont let me post the same pics more then once



Moose

 

[JThiessen]

Not bad..... If and when I go Digital, that might be where I try to stick mine

 

[AMink]

When my cup spiller broke the little catches to keep it from coming out all the way, I put some big blobs of JB Weld on what was left of the little tabs. After it dried I used a Dremel to form new catches. Seems to work.

 

[JRD]

I use mine for spare change as well, it turned out some coins had dropped down behind the door and would not allow the lock to really catch, so i got some thin wire and shoved them through and the lock works. Maybe not whats happening to you, but worth a shot right. Take a look back there, you really have to look good and hard with a flashlight to see em.

 

[JThiessen]

Stray coins is what I initially thought also, and it may have been what caused the final failure. But one of the little tabs is completely broke off.

 

[bpenrod]

I use mine for spare change as well, it turned out some coins had dropped down behind the door and would not allow the lock to really catch, so i got some thin wire and shoved them through and the lock works. Maybe not whats happening to you, but worth a shot right. Take a look back there, you really have to look good and hard with a flashlight to see em.

If you open the ashtray and give it a quick tug down it pops out of the dash. No need to fish the coins out with wire. I thought mine was bad so the dealer ordered a new one. When we went to put it in we found the coins were causing the problem.

 

[JRD]

cool, thanks for the tip!

 

[DPhillips]

Just a thought but I installed my trailer brake controller in the ashtray. Now I dont have it hitting my knee, it is nearly level, easy access for adjustment. Hope that helps.