switch panel removal; - how?

[sprevett]

anyone know what's involved in removing the perspex swicth panel behind the gear lever in a Griff? Mine has split in two and I was thinking of having a better one made with better positions for the window/heater switches. any advice? Mine is an early (91) model.

[BIG DUNC]

Do you mean BEHIND or IN FRONT of the gear lever. On my '92 car, the perspex panal with window switches etc is in front of the gear lever below the dash. I also need to get it out ( fan switch only works when it feels like it ). However, as I also have to take the dash out in the near future, I thought I would do both jobs together.

[sprevett]

yes, in front. I assume it's held in with chewing gum, resin and WW2 ex-MOD string as per usual but didn't want to try to remove it without finding out what really lurks beneath...

[BIG DUNC]

Sorry, cannot help you until I do it.
The Tax runs out on my car at the end of the month, and I was going to take the dash out, do this job, and a few other things in March, and re-tax in April.
Let me know if you find the answer out first....

[griffter]

On the precat (at least) you gently lever the window switches out, and underneath the edges of the switches are some very small cross-head screws. Remove these, and the panel should pull out.
To be honest it's easier to get behind the switches and push them out, eg by lifting the centre console - but that might be too involved (see threads elsehere).

[sprevett]

thanks for info Griffter - will give it a go and report back!

[sprevett]

Grifter's info spot on - the panel removed easily enough. The switch layout looks as though it could be changed (improved!) by enlarging the cut-out in the gearbox cover fibreglass so that a new perspex plate holds the switches in whatever position I choose. Has anyone done this before or changed to a later 500 panel? Looking at the 500 panel the window switches are in sensible positions but whereas I have two heater switches and a rotary knob the 500 appears to have 4 knobs so not sure if that'll convert easily. Can anyone tell me what the 4 knobs do? is one a heater control with 3 positions same as mine?