What’s this thing?

That is indeed he cup holder.

If you want two real round cup holders, and a much larger center console with two compartments, get a 2001-2004 Tacoma Center console.

 

The 2003 Factory Service Manual states that it's the switch location for the power mirrors when your truck doesn't have power windows (thus eliminating the need for the switch portion of the armrest).

 

I’m going to hit the junk yard. I can’t live like this!!!!

 

Great minds think alike!

 

It is a cup holder, but the primary intent is to extend out for a car seat to have a supporting floor. You'll notice if you dig deeper in behind the rear cushion are the two mounting brackets for the seat to attach as well as the upper mounting point. It is a sturdy piece much sturdier than necessary for just a cup holder.

 

Sometimes daaaaays after a Taco Bell trip with the kids I’ll find a fossilized burrito in the back seat. They just don’t taste the same.

 

When I saw the holes I figured it was some sort of a cup holder. I’m just baffled that there’s no bottom.

 

It's a cuper holder just swing those two legs down i unbolted mine & covered the holes it leavs its so damn useless

 

Thanks bart! They put that tiny little box in there when IMO they should've just put a cover on it. The only thing it ever held was once when my girl put baby pine cones in it

 

I use it all the time when I’m doing interior work. It’s a great screw holder.

 

It's called LATCH and it's for tethering down child seats without using the seatbelt.
http://www.ttguide.net/installing_child_restraints-48.html

 

Its a cup holder until car seat gets in the way. Then, perhaps baby becomes cup holder?

 

It works great with tallboys.

 

"Hey Baby, hold it steady, we're cutting through that field over yonder."

 

That’s a really tall tallboy