Dashboard removal

[Derek Smith]

I'm doing some modifications to the dashboard. It took ages to remove the roll top but I've just timed myself and it took less than a minute from the time I opened the garage door to replace it (not including putting the nuts on and tightening them). It took less than a minute to take off again. It's not often that my ideas work. I feel dead chuffed.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for further improvement. The dash will be completely removeable after undoing just four screws.

All this is for an article in Sprint.

Derek

[SimonV8ster]

Not meaning to hi-jiack your thread at all but if I wanted to take the oil gauge out will I 'just' be able to take the top part of the dash off to get to the back of it ?

[Chimjunkie]

SimonV8ster said:

Not meaning to hi-jiack your thread at all but if I wanted to take the oil gauge out will I 'just' be able to take the top part of the dash off to get to the back of it ?

Yes.

[pwd95]

Old article here too;

http://www.tvrcc-south-wales.co.uk/tech%20info.asp

[Chimjunkie]

Derek Smith said:

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for further improvement. The dash will be completely removeable after undoing just four screws.

All this is for an article in Sprint.

Derek

Hi Derek, Further to your asking me to put some words together for my carbon fibre dash swap i have decided on the following dash mods:

Remoulding of lower dash in carbon fibre. (whole unit from glove box to drivers door)
main and radio instrument panels in carbon fibre
switchable temperature gauge from oil to water readout
Dash mounted boot release which works when car unlocked (hate having to turn ignition on and reach under dash)
Dash mounted fan override
Rad fans operational indicator (may use rev counter light or override switch backlight)

Other interior mods:

Carbon fibre centre console (centre part, not side pads)
Carbon fibre door cards
Seat replacement - Prob using modified lotus seats

Jon

edited to add clarity of lower dash meaning whole unit not the radio insert.

Edited by Chimjunkie on Sunday 13th January 14:11

[spend]

Its not clear to me what you are referring to Derek? So here is a brain dump on all 3 areas.

Dash top:
PITA, but as removing cover exposed studs with plastic/rubber pipe to protect leather. Trim studs, less length means getting nuts on/off and actually getting RHS out a lot easier. Some prefer wing nuts, but I find hex easier TBH. Masking tape or blue tack to hold washers on when fitting in awkward positions (unless you have 3 gynecologists hands by any chance).

Main Dash Panel:
Mine just slots out, no fixings?
The wiring harness left a lot to be desired, I ensured 2 connectors enabled the dash to be removed when I rewired my dash.
The heater cable controls need to be disconnected, can't see any short-cuts there?
I added a bracket with locking bolt adjustment behind the panel,to keep it pushed against the dash cover 'lip' as a steady.

Lower Dash Panel:
Redesign to fix in with 4 screws or button heads would be very smart. Also changing the damned recessed switches on early cars would make maintenance easier also.

Dave

[SimonV8ster]

pwd95 said:

Old article here too;

http://www.tvrcc-south-wales.co.uk/tech%20info.asp

Cheers Job done. Just about to give up after the first nut but persisted !!