After several years of frustration and replacing the cab carpeting due
to rotting spilled lattes (ewww, but so Seattle), I found some
cupholders that don't obscure the front view (I'm 5'2") nor unduly get
in the way. Cheap also, as in "free".

The rigid plastic units hold a tall travel mug, beverage can, or 20oz
plastic beverage bottle; plus two pens and two skinny cellphones/iPods
without covers/calculators/casette tapes (for the period music to
match one's old vanagon)/paper pads.

Our cupholders were sourced from some busted grocery carts; they
hooked over the top rail and bolted with two phillips head/locknut
bolts. I mounted them by using EMT's shears to cut the back flange to
hook over the top of the cab center plastic footwell heater vents
cover, widely spaced to clear the shift lever, but not interfering
with either the driver's right leg nor the glove box. No reaching down
is required to grab a drink (at least, not if one has the driver's
seat set forward as I must) A tall mug or bottle in the driver's side
holder slightly impinges the lowest heater control slider.

After a few more trips to test their location and utility - the
cupholders were flawless carrying hot beverages and iPods as we slid
and bumped around the snowy Oregon western Cascade Mountains this week
- I have to figure out more secure fastenings than the friction fit
plastic rails that hold the cover on the vents.

Photos of the cupholders in place, and how I modded them:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cunegonde.Van.Westfalia/CunegondeInteriorMods#

Here's the manufacturer's webpage:
http://caddyproducts.com/medical.htm