Interior total strip down.

[andy-w]

I was just wondering if anyone has stripped out the whole interior.
I am going to start with retrimming the door panels, remove the carpet and retrim with perforated leather, dash top and bottom, center console + bolsters, both the A pillars and the panel that has the heater vents in it all going to be in either black plain or perforated leather.

Has anyone got any pointers to look out for....dash removal is easy...not so sure about the A pillars and the one along the bottom of the screen???

Cheers

Andy

[victormeldrew]

The strip along the bottom of the screen is a screen out job allegedly. Prob same for the A pillars.

[spend]

Couldnt you find some finishing trim to fill the gap? It always hacks me off trying to clean out the 'gutters' around the screen, and you would then get away without removing the screen + protect the trim if the screen ever did get changed.

Dave

[v8sag]

You'll have to remove the screen,the pillar and screen surround have formed foam under the leather.I used piano wire to remove both,you can then use these to make a template,if you want to keep the foam i'd use a very sharp filleting knife to ease away the leather.
The rest of the interior is easy depending on how much glue TVR felt like useing on the day.

[andy-w]

v8sag said:

The rest of the interior is easy depending on how much glue TVR felt like useing on the day.

I know what you mean...i did the bolsters on the center console last night and they almost fell off with the lack of glue...doing the main part of the center console tonight and then stat=rt on the door skins.
It is amazing how much difference a bit of new trim makes.
I have used black perforated leather for the bolsters and it makes it look so much more modern.

[victormeldrew]

andy-w said:

v8sag said:

The rest of the interior is easy depending on how much glue TVR felt like useing on the day.

I know what you mean...i did the bolsters on the center console last night and they almost fell off with the lack of glue...doing the main part of the center console tonight and then stat=rt on the door skins.
It is amazing how much difference a bit of new trim makes.
I have used black perforated leather for the bolsters and it makes it look so much more modern.

The bolsters are glued on? Mine weren't.

Any chance of any pics Andy? Is this something you have prior experience of? I'm tempted to have a go at mine, some of the vinyl is looking a bit tired, and I'm not keen on the biscuit bits now anyway.

[gavstar]

Yep, me too, i'd be interested in some pics/more info. I fancy a darker colour dash top and bolsters.

[andy-w]

victormeldrew said:

The bolsters are glued on? Mine weren't.

The bolsters were screwed to the main body...2x self tappers at the front...2 at the rear. Then the bolsters came out in one big lump...i meant the material was barely glued to the bolsters.

I should have taken some before and after photo's. Mine looks ok...but the black leather (PVC) was shiney...the stuff i am putting in (leather) is a matt black finish so with the stainless dash it should set it off v-nicely.

victormeldrew said:

Any chance of any pics Andy? Is this something you have prior experience of? I'm tempted to have a go at mine, some of the vinyl is looking a bit tired, and I'm not keen on the biscuit bits now anyway.

I have been in atuomotive for 15 years.
Started by making concept and prototype cars so have loads of experience in fibreglassing, welding fabrication, interior trimming, paint spraying...comes in hand beleive me...saved myself a fortune!!!!!!

From now on i shall take some pics as i go along...!

[victormeldrew]

Cheers Andy!

Sorry for the misunderstanding re the bolsters - I knew how they were fitted, I've posted pics showing how to remove them for someone before now, I just imagined yours glued to the central tunnel!

[andy-w]

I am sure i read somewhere that someone said you had to disconnect the h/brake cables as well...took all of five minutes to remove...!!!

Anyway i shall take some before and after pics and email them tomorrow (hopefully).

[victormeldrew]

That and the door release knob. With a bit of maneouvering it will come off with handbrake and door release still in place, as you know!

[andy-w]

Actually i did notice a three pin plug under the center console that was not connected to anything...similar shape/size to the wing mirror plugs if you have ever seen them...dont suppose you have any ideas what that could be...???

I will take a pic of that tonight as well...

[spend]

andy-w said:

I am sure i read somewhere that someone said you had to disconnect the h/brake cables as well...took all of five minutes to remove...!!!

I think you will find that if the handbrake is working correctly (big assumption I believe), the cable tension needs to be released to allow the lever to be raised sufficiently so the top section can be manouvered. I reckon some of the subtle design changes may affect experiences in this area. I dont recall seeing anywhere that the handbrake cable had to disconnected, only loosened; but the adjuster (near the diff) has been reportedly 'stiff'. The consoles look similar, but if you scan a range of cars there are cunning differences, like the rest of the cars build, over the years.

BTW whilst the console is off, its well worth cleaning (and duplexing IMHO) the battery ground.

Dave

[andy-w]

spend said:

andy-w said:

I am sure i read somewhere that someone said you had to disconnect the h/brake cables as well...took all of five minutes to remove...!!!

BTW whilst the console is off, its well worth cleaning (and duplexing IMHO) the battery ground.

Dave

Good call that man...i was thinking of stripping the handbrake and greasing everything up as well while i am at it.

Hadnt even thought about the earth point!!!

[spend]

Under the console there are various bits of loom;

speedo sensor (FFS dont pull this off)
heated seats
alarm bits (microwave sensor)

If you tell us the colour on the cables to the connector, could prob have a better stab.

Dave

[andy-w]

I shall try and get a pic of it tonight.
Like i say from memory it was a 3 pin plug that had 1 black (earth) a brown and damned if i can remember the last color wire.

One thing for definate there was not a mate to go with it and i looked all over the place.

I shall give all the connectors a good clean as well while i am at it.

[spend]

The looms are very generic, much better to gain performance by stripping out redundant wiring & weight :-)

What alarm gubbins do you have in the centre console?

Dave

[andy-w]

spend said:

The looms are very generic, much better to gain performance by stripping out redundant wiring & weight :-)

What alarm gubbins do you have in the centre console?

Dave

Damn cant remember the name on the box...very small connector going in (looks like mini USB if you know what that is?) and about the same size as a packet of superkings!!! about 120mm L x 50mm W x 30mm H and had a sensitivity switch on the side. think that is redundant as well as i have not come across an alarm on the car yet!

I know what you mean about stripping out redundant wires...i have come across loads that dont seem to do anything!

[spend]

Thats the microwave sensor (whic was my initial guess at your spare wires).

Alarm the car, wave your hand in - alarm goes off ~ adjust to suit (beware spiders:-)

Dave

[andy-w]

The plug i am on about is approx 20mm x 30mm and oval shaped!!!