1983 S Interior/Exterior Resto thread
#121
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Weekend update
Made some interior progress this weekend. I believe I just about have the new headliner plastic shaped correctly. Will have to get another piece of vinyl to cover as I am out presently.
Got several small pieces of the interior covered back in carpet (handbrake cover, dead pedal, DS seatbelt cover, etc.). My pass side has a 'small box' just barely big enough to cover the OXS counter. The box itself is pretty trashed, and the carpet piece Rob sent is definitely for the larger sized box (interesting as my car had the additional audio system, which I thought meant an amp in that box).
So, I may build a larger box that the carpet will cover and add a cup holder in it for the passenger side. Wish I could fit one in the drivers side cover as well since I don't have any switches there, but don't think there is clearance below.
Also got both back seat uppers reworked and they are ready to reinstall.
Got several small pieces of the interior covered back in carpet (handbrake cover, dead pedal, DS seatbelt cover, etc.). My pass side has a 'small box' just barely big enough to cover the OXS counter. The box itself is pretty trashed, and the carpet piece Rob sent is definitely for the larger sized box (interesting as my car had the additional audio system, which I thought meant an amp in that box).
So, I may build a larger box that the carpet will cover and add a cup holder in it for the passenger side. Wish I could fit one in the drivers side cover as well since I don't have any switches there, but don't think there is clearance below.
Also got both back seat uppers reworked and they are ready to reinstall.
#124
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Interior updates
Been working on interior this week. Dash and pod are slowly having new vinyl glued in place. Not going too bad, but I am no expert at being able to visually discern the vinyl trimming process. Luckily the screwups will be hidden by other components so the finished product will be presentable. I'm now over budget (aren't we all) so I have to finish most everything else myself.
Plan is to go ahead and finish out all of the interior retrimming and have the stack of parts ready to reinstall as soon as the carpet is glued in.
New pod face. Ended up going in the style of Ladybug's stitched cover in lieu of pre-sewing...overbudget and I have no access to a machine that would do French seams.
New pod upper surround.
Dash work.
Since I will have stitching on the pod, I believe it will have a more consistent look to have at least one matching seam across the dash, rather than a completely flat, stock look.
Dead pedal with new carpet.
I really like the look of the mocha carpet against the brown vinyl and the kiln red exterior.
Plan is to go ahead and finish out all of the interior retrimming and have the stack of parts ready to reinstall as soon as the carpet is glued in.
New pod face. Ended up going in the style of Ladybug's stitched cover in lieu of pre-sewing...overbudget and I have no access to a machine that would do French seams.
New pod upper surround.
Dash work.
Since I will have stitching on the pod, I believe it will have a more consistent look to have at least one matching seam across the dash, rather than a completely flat, stock look.
Dead pedal with new carpet.
I really like the look of the mocha carpet against the brown vinyl and the kiln red exterior.
#125
Rennlist Member
Some extra glue
may I suggest you use a bit extra glue on concave curves on the left and right sides of the dash. Also on the defroster holes. I’m seeing some lifting on my redone dash on hot days. More glue would have prevented this.
Last edited by Michael Benno; 05-10-2018 at 01:35 PM.
#126
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Yes sir - thank you so much! I have been going easy on the glue so that is great info.
I can see where this is going to pull rather tight. I appreciate the info!
-scott
I can see where this is going to pull rather tight. I appreciate the info!
-scott
#128
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Yes - sir these are the infamous 'Internet Auction Site' seat kits from AutoInteriorKits. They really are very good looking - and I did get vinyl (just to save $$). I was really concerned about getting the scalloping correct - as that is my favorite part of the early seat design. So far it is pretty good. Anxious to get started on the fronts.
-scott
-scott
#130
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
New panels being made. The cover on the passenger side was the 'small version' - only covered the OXS counter box. Rob sent the larger cover that would also cover the amplifier and the little cover was rather tatty, so I decided to make a new cover that will be larger. Probably will mount a cupholder insert behind the OXS area.
Also made two new side panels for the console. The old ones had been repaired once and were still tatty.
Will cover all this tonight and hopefully get the side carpet down so I can get the back seats and console reinstalled and feel better about progress.
Also got one CV joint off of the axle shaft to repack and install a new boot - will do the entire pass side and reinstall...much easier sans gas tank. Oh - and will try to seal that tonight one last time as well.
-scott
New larger passenger side cover plate beside old ratty small cover for OXS counter.
Just used eucaboard - cheap at Lowes. Same basic hardboard used for indoor trim panels. Used the original as a template for the end pieces. Carpet covered anyway...
New and old console side panels side by side
New DS console panel. The eucaboard is a little thicker than factory, so may have an issue with the plastic grommets that hold everything together. Working on a solution.
Also made two new side panels for the console. The old ones had been repaired once and were still tatty.
Will cover all this tonight and hopefully get the side carpet down so I can get the back seats and console reinstalled and feel better about progress.
Also got one CV joint off of the axle shaft to repack and install a new boot - will do the entire pass side and reinstall...much easier sans gas tank. Oh - and will try to seal that tonight one last time as well.
-scott
New larger passenger side cover plate beside old ratty small cover for OXS counter.
Just used eucaboard - cheap at Lowes. Same basic hardboard used for indoor trim panels. Used the original as a template for the end pieces. Carpet covered anyway...
New and old console side panels side by side
New DS console panel. The eucaboard is a little thicker than factory, so may have an issue with the plastic grommets that hold everything together. Working on a solution.
#131
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Productive weekend
All - quite a bit of work this weekend. See pics below. Headliner replacement is coming together. More carpet is glued in place. Ready to reinstall rear seatbacks and cushions now.
See other thread on the passenger side axle shaft...ugh! Can't wait to get the other joint cleaned up so I can see where that chuck of metal came from!
Carpet install - working around the hood release was surprisingly easy. New carpet is not as "thick" as original, so you can see things under the carpet (wires, cables, etc.) a little better - no big deal.
around handbrake area
Center section from shift lever back is glued. Door sill sides are fully glued. Love the new color (mocha) against the Kiln red.
See other thread on the passenger side axle shaft...ugh! Can't wait to get the other joint cleaned up so I can see where that chuck of metal came from!
Carpet install - working around the hood release was surprisingly easy. New carpet is not as "thick" as original, so you can see things under the carpet (wires, cables, etc.) a little better - no big deal.
around handbrake area
Center section from shift lever back is glued. Door sill sides are fully glued. Love the new color (mocha) against the Kiln red.
#132
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
More pics - headliner work
See pics with details...
Test fit new headliner - edge seams look pretty good
Glue is drying around sunroof opening
Comparison of old and new (sail panel is a bit darker - but a whole lot of improvement over the old warped headliner).
The whole thing - laying initial vinyl
More test fitting
More test fitting
Test fit new headliner - edge seams look pretty good
Glue is drying around sunroof opening
Comparison of old and new (sail panel is a bit darker - but a whole lot of improvement over the old warped headliner).
The whole thing - laying initial vinyl
More test fitting
More test fitting
#133
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Final set of pictures
Headliner work...
Marked and drilled holes in plastic for new attachments
Needed a way to get the new attachments attached to the plastic...too tall for the standard method
Ended up using the x-acto to slice a slot inside the hole (through the corrugation inside the plastic) for the attachment to rotate into.
Started in the slot
Used a screwdriver through the slots in the pin to carefully rotate the attachment around to lock it in the slot
Worked pretty well.
one side done
Marked and drilled holes in plastic for new attachments
Needed a way to get the new attachments attached to the plastic...too tall for the standard method
Ended up using the x-acto to slice a slot inside the hole (through the corrugation inside the plastic) for the attachment to rotate into.
Started in the slot
Used a screwdriver through the slots in the pin to carefully rotate the attachment around to lock it in the slot
Worked pretty well.
one side done
#134
Rennlist Member
excellent work! What adhesive are you using? What's the best out there that will hold on these interior parts?
#135
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Hi Ed -
You can see that dum dum here forgot to drill those holes before I attached the front side of the vinyl, so I had to peel the edge back up to drill. I must say it held pretty well. It's simple Weldwood from Lowe's. I let it tack up for about 5 minutes and held with clamps over night.
Been using it for the vinyl on the headliner, dash, etc. as well as for the carpet.
-scott
You can see that dum dum here forgot to drill those holes before I attached the front side of the vinyl, so I had to peel the edge back up to drill. I must say it held pretty well. It's simple Weldwood from Lowe's. I let it tack up for about 5 minutes and held with clamps over night.
Been using it for the vinyl on the headliner, dash, etc. as well as for the carpet.
-scott