New Dash????
07-31-07, 04:38 PM
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New Dash????
I was thinking the other day... I dont like my stock dash in my 89. So I was thinking about getting a custom one to put in. Maybe one of these:
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/VIB2940.htm
I know I would have to do a lot of modification to make it fit, but would it work. I would have to change door panels too right? BTW,, I am getting rid of my climate control too.
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/VIB2940.htm
I know I would have to do a lot of modification to make it fit, but would it work. I would have to change door panels too right? BTW,, I am getting rid of my climate control too.
08-01-07, 08:54 AM
#2
What is that you don't like about the stock dash?
If you are hellbent on changing it, seems like it would be easier to modify the stocker or just make a completely original unit rather than spending nearly $500 and still have to perform major surgery to get it in.
If you are hellbent on changing it, seems like it would be easier to modify the stocker or just make a completely original unit rather than spending nearly $500 and still have to perform major surgery to get it in.
08-01-07, 11:01 AM
#5
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With that said, are you willing to spend that kinda money just to tackle this project?
-Ted
08-01-07, 12:29 PM
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I have done fiberglass repair before, but I havent actually built anything major from fiberglass. Although it might be fun to try and tackle something like that cause I think I may have some fiberlgass laying around from doing boat repairs a while back. Would those big sheets of the fiberglass material be what I need to use? Could I also use that stuff to make door panels??
But I just think the stock dash is bad looking and is such a pain in the *** cause its so old, and weird feeling. I dont know how to explain it really, I just dont like it. lol. But yeah Ted, I really dont want to spend alot of money trying make that fit.
But I just think the stock dash is bad looking and is such a pain in the *** cause its so old, and weird feeling. I dont know how to explain it really, I just dont like it. lol. But yeah Ted, I really dont want to spend alot of money trying make that fit.
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08-01-07, 10:26 PM
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Well, while thats not my car (I would have Rhino Lined the thing to make it look somewhat better. lol) I do happen to think it is quite amusing that someone would even think of that as a solution.
08-02-07, 08:27 AM
#16
Unless you are happy with the "racer minimalist" look- in which case a flat panel with room for a few gauges will suffice- the dash is the defining component of an interior's look and as such, not an easy part to design.
If it's mainly the "weird feeling" you have a problem with, check out the interior section of the forum...lots of FD guys (who seem more concerned/adventurous with their interiors) have done stuff worth checking out (like covering the dash with Alcantara-sp?- which looks pretty snazzy and intriguingly straightforward, albeit expensive).
If you haven't already, remove your dash- or get a spare- and study it closely.
First thing I think you'll notice is that it's bigger than it looks when installed and certainly far more complex. Even though I know you plan on gutting all the climate control (bye-bye resale value!) there is still a lot to consider when making a replacement.
Basically, it's easy to make something different...making it better is the hard part.
08-02-07, 02:00 PM
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Well I know for one I dont like the shape of the dash. I dont like the way everything is cluttered around the gauge cluster. I dont like the controls for the wipers, headlights, and such. I dont like the way that its outdated. I understand the car is almost 20 years old, but I think if the outside and engine is gonna be brought up to date then the interior should be as well.
Aside from cars, I am really into futuristic stuff and technology and think it would be cool to incorporate some of those aspects into a cars interior. Something that looks like a concept car interior. I have decided that this car is gonna be more of a show car instead of a race car (since I dont want to have to rebuild the engine every two ro three years due to part wear). So I basically want to focus on having the wildest body design and interior design possible.
Aside from cars, I am really into futuristic stuff and technology and think it would be cool to incorporate some of those aspects into a cars interior. Something that looks like a concept car interior. I have decided that this car is gonna be more of a show car instead of a race car (since I dont want to have to rebuild the engine every two ro three years due to part wear). So I basically want to focus on having the wildest body design and interior design possible.
08-02-07, 05:52 PM
#19
I am goign to be taking out the dash from my coupe and making one very soon along with matching CF door panels. I have been working on this **** way too long not to have anything done to my car.
The FG dash will be $400 which isn't bad for a full peice. Imagine a stock dash but eliminate the drop from the front where the stitching is, so it will be smooth, in place of the idiot gauges will be a raise for aftermarket gauges and the stereo surround will be offset at a slight angle to face the driver more but will go down to fit the stock shifter. The gauges will be more foward as there will be a only very small recess as compared to stock where it goes far behind the wheel, but the area above will not be flat, it will have two semi arched raises to make it look more modern.
The FG dash will be $400 which isn't bad for a full peice. Imagine a stock dash but eliminate the drop from the front where the stitching is, so it will be smooth, in place of the idiot gauges will be a raise for aftermarket gauges and the stereo surround will be offset at a slight angle to face the driver more but will go down to fit the stock shifter. The gauges will be more foward as there will be a only very small recess as compared to stock where it goes far behind the wheel, but the area above will not be flat, it will have two semi arched raises to make it look more modern.
08-02-07, 06:08 PM
#21
Well I know for one I dont like the shape of the dash. I dont like the way everything is cluttered around the gauge cluster. I dont like the controls for the wipers, headlights, and such. I dont like the way that its outdated. I understand the car is almost 20 years old, but I think if the outside and engine is gonna be brought up to date then the interior should be as well.
Aside from cars, I am really into futuristic stuff and technology and think it would be cool to incorporate some of those aspects into a cars interior. Something that looks like a concept car interior. I have decided that this car is gonna be more of a show car instead of a race car (since I dont want to have to rebuild the engine every two ro three years due to part wear). So I basically want to focus on having the wildest body design and interior design possible.
Aside from cars, I am really into futuristic stuff and technology and think it would be cool to incorporate some of those aspects into a cars interior. Something that looks like a concept car interior. I have decided that this car is gonna be more of a show car instead of a race car (since I dont want to have to rebuild the engine every two ro three years due to part wear). So I basically want to focus on having the wildest body design and interior design possible.
are you kidding me??? you HATE the way the car is designed??? why did you buy it??? 
Good luck but please make sure there is SOME go with that show!!
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08-02-07, 10:06 PM
#22
Things (important things like "controls") are "cluttered around gauge cluster" for a very good reason- that's where your hands are.
Since your hands are normally on the steering wheel it only makes sense to put the main control units within easy reach.
The switches are functional (if somewhat fragile) and relatively intuitive- which is a good thing, especially when you need to react instinctively or quickly.
If however, you prefer something modern and not "outdated" go have a shot at a high end new car...oh, let's say a BMW 750 for instance...and see how the multifunction, utterly modern iStick grabs you. That little clusterfuck triumph of theory over practice (which controls all sorts of useful functions) requires it's own instruction manual and days of practice to begin to master.
Just to change a radio station, fer crissakes.
New cars have layouts very similar to our RXs...and for a very good reason- they work.
Familiarity not only breeds contempt but sometimes, ease of use as well.
The night I bought my car (first RX I'd driven since my Mom's 1978 (Canadian) 7, I drove home perfectly comfortable with the controls...everything was where I expected it to be and worked (more or less) as other other cars I had driven.
I would consider that to be an asset, not a sign of being outdated.
If you're really serious about all this futuristic, showcar stuff delete ALL the controls totally.
Tell people the whole car is operated via brainwaves and requires no physical interface between human and machine whatsoever.
Buck Rogers will be ever so proud and such a vehicle will save on those pesky engine rebuilds too...since it will never move a foot under it's own power.
08-02-07, 11:38 PM
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And no. Its not that I dont like the design of the car, just the interior. I love the outside, and when I said anything about updating it, I meant getting a body kit and new paintjob. lol. Not a complete redisgn of the body. Theres no way in hell I could do that. lol. As close as I could get to that is finding a wide body kit. lol
08-03-07, 06:48 AM
#25
Me too. I love the dash, but maybe it's because I'm outdated.
I think the little turn signal flipper is the perfect solution once you get used to using it. I also like the large rotary wiper and headlight switches from a function standpoint. In 1986, this interior actually did look pretty futuristic. The fact that some of the aesthetic aspects (interior and exterior) may now be a bit dated is a large part of the appeal of the FC for me. They are, after all, around 20 years old now. As someone else above stated, if I wanted something current, I'd get a newer car.
I think the little turn signal flipper is the perfect solution once you get used to using it. I also like the large rotary wiper and headlight switches from a function standpoint. In 1986, this interior actually did look pretty futuristic. The fact that some of the aesthetic aspects (interior and exterior) may now be a bit dated is a large part of the appeal of the FC for me. They are, after all, around 20 years old now. As someone else above stated, if I wanted something current, I'd get a newer car.
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