RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

ok, can anyone comment on how the best way to remove the carpet (for a carpet swap) in out FD's? ive heard there is the "right" way removing the dashboard (no thanks), and the "wrong" way... i did a black-> tan carpet swap in my dads miata and it looks like it would be a similar process i did it by cuttin a slit in the carpet in back of the radio console and pulling the carpet out... i cut the new one in hte same way and put a piece of velcrow across the cut (in back of the radio...you cant see it) and have never had a problem with it. can i do the same for the FD? what do you recomend??

jimlab

You sure can, and that's what I recommend, having done it myself.

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

thanks very much!

7racer

I just got done doing this and well...still am in progress.

Apparently, dealers had to do this before and they would NOT remove the dash.

There apparently is a bolt and heater core right in the center that makes it extremely difficult to slide the carpet in.

My mechanic recommended spraying some silicone lube and try to slide it in. (I forgot the lube) and the carpet is partially stuck. Even that other guy who redid his car 99 spec with the titanium color, who removed the dash, had a difficult time installing the carpet, though he was able to get it in eventually.

If you find a way to remove the dash in one piece and then easily back let me know.

ejmack1

LMAO, Removing the dash is right up there in difficulty as removing the seats. I just removed mine to put new carpet in and clean and unclog my heater core...

IMO If you are trying to replace the carpet without pulling the dash you are doing it the wrong way. It is impossible to do it other wise. The entire AC/Heater Assembly sits down on top of the carpet which is probably glues down to the interior.... At least after 10 years it is

volley1

You guys should check out the "other" forum. FD3BOOST has done this to his car and had a pretty good right up. If not just pm him. I am sure he has some pointers.

Edit: I couldn't find the post so just pm him.

volley1

Got any pics ejmack? Tips?

911GT2

Are you seriously saying that the seats are hard to remove? I took my drivers seat out, which is probably harder than the passenger seat due to the steering wheel, in about 10 minutes. Installing it again was just as easy. I hope taking the dashboard out is that easy!

volley1

Yeah, I think he is saying it is easy to take the dash out. I guess there is like 3 or 4 main bolts that hold it on then it comes out as one piece.

7racer

I already had/have those bolts off.

So if that is done, then where are the connectors to remove the dash...is that all that is left holding it in place?

Then it comes out as one big (heavy) piece??

volley1

I believe that is correct. I remember seeing a picture of the whole dash sitting on the ground. Minus the gauge cluster and the a/c controls.

ejmack1

There is like 2-3 connectors on the left side, 2-3 on the right side. 2 botls on the right, 2 on the left, 2 on each side of the tranny tunnel, and one in the center behind the center speaker.

You have to take two bolts that keeps the steering wheel bolted to the dash, and of course remove the steering wheel.(# bolts holding the airbag on then one center bolt holding the steering wheel on).

I got the dash out in about 30 minutes, It was ******* cake. I have now dismantled and re assembled every part of my car....

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

wow really?? does anyone have pictures?? i cant imagine its close to simple if its anything like the miata one or 92 cosmo dash. i tryed to pull out the miata one... took out all the bolts etc...it was loose but it just wouldnt budge... and then how the hell do you get it out of the car?? btw i had the cluster, steering wheel, stereo out of the car. my other expierience was with the mazda cosmo dash (the designs are all similar) i had a front clip of a cosmo so i was standing on the ground in front of the dash.... took out all the main bolts... wouldnt come out.... took out all the smaller bolts/nuts... just separated from the reinforcement bar but wouldnt come out. after i got it out of the car (BFH...it was going in hte garbage anyway) i examined it... it didnt seem possible to remove as a unit. pleeeease share how you did it so simply cause i would like to replace my dash as well as carpet!! thanks

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

I have done this. If your carpet is anything like mine was you will need to take the dash out. (Actually prepare to basically strip the whole interior) The factory glue was so viscous and gummy that I could not pull the carpet off by hand, I had to use a crow bar and pry it off.
Taking the dash out wasn't too difficult; however, I needed the help of the buddy to line it up so that I could bolt it back in.

It was not a difficult process but it was definitely a serious pain in the ***.

have fun

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

^ would you mind stepping all of us through the process? anyone got a write up...or step by step process? thanks tons

PS does the reinforcement bar come out with it?

volley1

Here is the link to the thread in the other forum.
http://www.nopistons.com/forums/inde...howtopic=22042
I am sure FD3BOOST would help us out if we PM him. My black carpet is arriving tomorrow so I will be doing this over the next few weeks.

I am painting my interior Gunmetal Silver and installing Corbeau Forzas with 5 point harnesses. This should finish my interior minus a new stereo and steering wheel.

911GT2

Sounds sweet! Make sure to post pics when you get that done, and a few process pics too.

What wheel are you getting? My wheel of choice will be the Momo Millenium wheel when the time comes for that.

volley1

This is the wheel I was thinking of. I am tall so I want to get a D-ring wheel.

I am going to try and borrow my mom's digital camera and do a how to of removing the carpet and dash in a fd. Just want to make it easier for the next person that has to do this job.

donny

I am the guy with the 99 spec rebuild. I had the dash out to install the new carpet and it still kind of sucked getting it under the heater ducting that is attached to the firewall. It would have been a huge pain in the *** without the dash being removed. The old carpet was glued to floor and was also a pain to get out. It was only glued under the dash area though. There are some pics of the dash out of my car on this website. (www.drivinhard.com)

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

donny your car is so freakin sweet!!!! thanks the picures help. heath

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

hey donny, you know what...after looking at your website maybe i should say screw the carpet. im kinda digging having everything black with the tan seats! i need your oppinion on aesthetics... how would innocent blue mica paint look with a tan seat, or tan seats & carpet... or would that color be better with all black interior? i cant decide

donny: PS i have a set of black seats in good condition if you were interested in doing a swap...... heath

wanklin

iTrader: (2)

go with the black carpet, It looks 10 times better than the tan did in my MB. I would also go with black seats. Sit in an all black interior FD and you will understand.

ejmack1

You didn't remove your heater core and ac ???? Makes it that much more easier while you are in there, plus you can have your Heater core flushed for winter

RotorMotor

iTrader: (5)

yeah my car has black interior now. i dont know...to me it looks a little cheap?? but on the same note the ALL tan interiors look kinda cheap too... i really like what they did w/ the 94's (tan seats and carpet, black everything else).