Dash Removal - some questions...
Discussion
Hi all,
In the absence of a working search tool, I would like some help please.
I plan to remove the dash this weekend from my Mk 1 Chimaera, in order to either a) replace the cracked wooden veneer with the same or b) use a differnt material..
So, a few questions...
1) Has anyone replaced their instrument light bulbs to get a brighter effect (I remember reading about LEDs a while ago)? If so, where did you get them and are you happy with the result?
2) Has anyone changed the push button switches with a different type? If so, got a linky or pics?
3) Any other mod I should / could consider when removing the dash?
4) Any other tips you may have / experiences / pitfalls I should look out for etc, that you would like to share?
Many thanks in advance,
Nosh.
PS - I was called a snob today for owning a TVR - what bolleaux!!!!
4)
In the absence of a working search tool, I would like some help please.
I plan to remove the dash this weekend from my Mk 1 Chimaera, in order to either a) replace the cracked wooden veneer with the same or b) use a differnt material..
So, a few questions...
1) Has anyone replaced their instrument light bulbs to get a brighter effect (I remember reading about LEDs a while ago)? If so, where did you get them and are you happy with the result?
2) Has anyone changed the push button switches with a different type? If so, got a linky or pics?
3) Any other mod I should / could consider when removing the dash?
4) Any other tips you may have / experiences / pitfalls I should look out for etc, that you would like to share?
Many thanks in advance,
Nosh.
PS - I was called a snob today for owning a TVR - what bolleaux!!!!
4)
Nosh, I've bought LED's to replace the bulbs in mine this weekend. Quite how succesful that will be though i'm not sure but i can update you afterwards.
In terms of the dash I have just covered mine in a carbon fibre fabric which you can get from carbonmods -
http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Products/Carbon-Fibre-...
Looks good but it was pretty fidly and does take quite a while to do. My dial bezelse are all black, along with the heating controlls and buttons though so it all matches better. Added bonus that it also now matches the underside of the Tagra. Don't konw if you've had the dash out before but the hardest bit was getting the bloody nuts off the bolts. I'm going to be replacing the three nuts from the bolts that hold the top of the dash down with butterfly nuts so if i ever do need to get to the back of it again i can just loosen them by hand !
As for the snob comment....i'd have been in a state of shock if someone said that to me. Were they driving something German by chance ?
AJ
In terms of the dash I have just covered mine in a carbon fibre fabric which you can get from carbonmods -
http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Products/Carbon-Fibre-...
Looks good but it was pretty fidly and does take quite a while to do. My dial bezelse are all black, along with the heating controlls and buttons though so it all matches better. Added bonus that it also now matches the underside of the Tagra. Don't konw if you've had the dash out before but the hardest bit was getting the bloody nuts off the bolts. I'm going to be replacing the three nuts from the bolts that hold the top of the dash down with butterfly nuts so if i ever do need to get to the back of it again i can just loosen them by hand !
As for the snob comment....i'd have been in a state of shock if someone said that to me. Were they driving something German by chance ?
AJ
Just a word of warning ! please put plenty of masking tape on the front section near the windcreen ,once you have managed to remove the nuts the dash will spring back after being forced inwards .If your not carefull you will find the other part of the dash damaged by the threadeed bar..I would then fit larger penny washers and large wing nuts ...Good luck.
AJV8 said:
Nosh, I've bought LED's to replace the bulbs in mine this weekend. Quite how succesful that will be though i'm not sure but i can update you afterwards.
AJThat would be appreciated. Where did you get them?
AJV8 said:
In terms of the dash I have just covered mine in a carbon fibre fabric which you can get from carbonmods -
Got any pics how this looks? Idle curiousity, really, and I would like to see how it has turned out...AJV8 said:
As for the snob comment....i'd have been in a state of shock if someone said that to me. Were they driving something German by chance ?
The conversation didn't continue in order to ascertain that!Cheers
Nosh
Nosh,
Just got them off Fleabay. You can buy 50 for about a fiver or also get some pre-wired for about 2.50 for 5. I'm not 100% sure how i'm going to go about fitting them yet but i guess that'll become more clear over the weekend.
As for the pics, I haven't got any of it in the car yet as the dash is still in tatters, fibreglass on show everywhere where the carpets are up. Going to be a busy weekend. I've got some of doing it and the final product before in though ..
If you are thinking about doing it i'd recommend it highly, i made it harder than it needed to be and hindsight is a wonderful thing. If you're considering it then let me know and i'll give you some tips of stuff i wish that i'd have done differently !!
Still stumped on how you could possibly be a snob for buying a TVR though. ha.
AJ
Just got them off Fleabay. You can buy 50 for about a fiver or also get some pre-wired for about 2.50 for 5. I'm not 100% sure how i'm going to go about fitting them yet but i guess that'll become more clear over the weekend.
As for the pics, I haven't got any of it in the car yet as the dash is still in tatters, fibreglass on show everywhere where the carpets are up. Going to be a busy weekend. I've got some of doing it and the final product before in though ..
If you are thinking about doing it i'd recommend it highly, i made it harder than it needed to be and hindsight is a wonderful thing. If you're considering it then let me know and i'll give you some tips of stuff i wish that i'd have done differently !!
Still stumped on how you could possibly be a snob for buying a TVR though. ha.
AJ
AJ
Cheers for that - looks like we are travelling the same journey, although at different stages!
Seats done, dash out this weekend - in fact I will be also tarting up the vinyl parts of the lower dash as well, whilst the dash and seats are removed....
My carpets need replacing as well (the very last job, me thinks) and I have contacted The Trim Technician and have a quote to replace all the carpets including mats for only a few quid more than the Coverdale set - AND you have fit the Coverdale kit yerself! Ex TVR guys and their work looks really good - TTT will almost certainly be getting my business...
If you need their email just shout.
Nosh.
Cheers for that - looks like we are travelling the same journey, although at different stages!
Seats done, dash out this weekend - in fact I will be also tarting up the vinyl parts of the lower dash as well, whilst the dash and seats are removed....
My carpets need replacing as well (the very last job, me thinks) and I have contacted The Trim Technician and have a quote to replace all the carpets including mats for only a few quid more than the Coverdale set - AND you have fit the Coverdale kit yerself! Ex TVR guys and their work looks really good - TTT will almost certainly be getting my business...
If you need their email just shout.
Nosh.
No probs pal,
Ah i've had the seats out and stripped everything out myself. Someone had butchered the carpets before me and screwed the cheap lino, which you can get for £2 a meter, into the fibreglass instead of the carpet.
I've gone the slightly more crazy route and just taken delivery of a whole lot of underlay foam and some automotive carpet and am going to pipe, template, cut and glue everything myself !!! ARGH !!! Starting to wonder whether this was a good plan or not, haha, we'll soon see. For the £200 i'll be saving though it's worth a go and worst comes to worst i'll get some new stuff next year.
What are you using to tart up the vinyl ? I might do that whilst mine's all out as well.
AJ
Ah i've had the seats out and stripped everything out myself. Someone had butchered the carpets before me and screwed the cheap lino, which you can get for £2 a meter, into the fibreglass instead of the carpet.
I've gone the slightly more crazy route and just taken delivery of a whole lot of underlay foam and some automotive carpet and am going to pipe, template, cut and glue everything myself !!! ARGH !!! Starting to wonder whether this was a good plan or not, haha, we'll soon see. For the £200 i'll be saving though it's worth a go and worst comes to worst i'll get some new stuff next year.
What are you using to tart up the vinyl ? I might do that whilst mine's all out as well.
AJ
Nosh said:
AJ
Cheers for that - looks like we are travelling the same journey, although at different stages!
Seats done, dash out this weekend - in fact I will be also tarting up the vinyl parts of the lower dash as well, whilst the dash and seats are removed....
My carpets need replacing as well (the very last job, me thinks) and I have contacted The Trim Technician and have a quote to replace all the carpets including mats for only a few quid more than the Coverdale set - AND you have fit the Coverdale kit yerself! Ex TVR guys and their work looks really good - TTT will almost certainly be getting my business...
If you need their email just shout.
Nothing else to do in Milton Keynes so i would get on with it !
Is that real carbon fibre ,not seen the real stuff used before !
Nosh.
Cheers for that - looks like we are travelling the same journey, although at different stages!
Seats done, dash out this weekend - in fact I will be also tarting up the vinyl parts of the lower dash as well, whilst the dash and seats are removed....
My carpets need replacing as well (the very last job, me thinks) and I have contacted The Trim Technician and have a quote to replace all the carpets including mats for only a few quid more than the Coverdale set - AND you have fit the Coverdale kit yerself! Ex TVR guys and their work looks really good - TTT will almost certainly be getting my business...
If you need their email just shout.
Nothing else to do in Milton Keynes so i would get on with it !
Is that real carbon fibre ,not seen the real stuff used before !
Nosh.
Just done my dash, from original veneer to Carbon.
I removed the old wood, blast cleaned the steel panel then applied a Carbon vinyl covering from 3M.
I am pleased with the results and soooooooo much easier than cutting carbon flat stock or finding a friendly auto clave owner and some pre preg cloth!
I removed the old wood, blast cleaned the steel panel then applied a Carbon vinyl covering from 3M.
I am pleased with the results and soooooooo much easier than cutting carbon flat stock or finding a friendly auto clave owner and some pre preg cloth!
AJV8 said:
Paul, you beat me to it !! I live in Bucks and it is FAR from posh !!
There was a drive by shooting about 100 meters from my house the other week !! Quotes on my insurance went up nearly £100 !!! haha.
I'm in Leighton Buzzard now but I grew up in Wendover and that part of Bucks wasn't too bad...There was a drive by shooting about 100 meters from my house the other week !! Quotes on my insurance went up nearly £100 !!! haha.
pmanson said:
Post part of bucks? Lol...
Sounds like there are quite a few of us locals!
PS. It's Phill
Nosh said:
pmanson said:
Sounds like there are quite a few of us locals!
PS. It's Phill
Phil,PS. It's Phill
LBuzz is just down the road!! Excellent!
Have u found a TVR yet?
Nosh (Phil)
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