Evian

I want to thank all the people who helped me locate this pod and dash cover. I got it from 928 International. The gap you see is due to me pulling the console back so I could work on the radio. I also removed the glove box. It isn't completely installed yet. That explains the gaps. Like all projects it still a work in progress.
I also want to thank all those individuals who gave me ideas on how to repair the overheating problems on my shark. It is day two and no smoke or overheating. The new thermostat, new reserve tank radiator cap and wiring the electric fan direct worked wonders. Drove it for over 40 minutes in 90 degree weather with 100 percent humidity without one puff of white smoke. It is cool as it looks.
Thanks again Rennlist members.

SharkSkin

Good to hear, Evian... BTW, you are going to fix the control circuit on that fan, right? If anyone suggested hooking it direct(might have been me) then I'm sure it was mentioned as a troubleshooting step and not recommended as a permanent fix.

Randy V

Well done, Evian.

In the future, please post a follow-up message in your individual posts, acknowledging folks suggestions there. I had sent you a PM awhile back suggesting that.

Weissach

I think you should post pictures after the summer heat. When I installed one of those covers on one of my 928s, it lasted only a few month before warping.


This picture is BEFORE it got really bad. This, after only one month.... After six month, it looks worse than before. They give you a warranty, but you have to keep changing the covers.....over and over.

TIP: Make sure the car is always parked in the shade, never in direct sunlight.

bd0nalds0n

I would also like to point out something that may come in handy in case anyone is ever searching threads on pod removal. I had mine out last weekend to replace the defroster pod.

I noticed, as I was removing the wiring harnesses to the rear defroster, ignition, hazards, odometer reset, headlights and driving light switches, that most of the cylindrical male/female connectors were different, in order to eliminate the chances that you could reattaching the wrong harness to the wrong switch.

It seemed to be idiot proof. But let's not make this a contest.

I was puzzled when my odometer reset button, which is a springed momentary switch, wouldn't reset the odometer. I figured that in moving the pod around during the reinstallation, I had somehow dislodged a connector. Last night, when a valet was pulling my car around, I was also puzzled to see that the driving lights were off.

As I was driving away, I was switching the driving light switch on and off, trying to figure out what the problem was. When I got to the first stop light, I noticed that my trip odometer had been reset.

I pushed in the odometer reset button--and preseto, the driving lights came on.

So at the very least, the odometer reset switch and the driving light switch can be crossed, which is obviously undesirable. Keep this in mind when removing the harnesses from the switches.

Randy V

Good point, Brian.

Luckily, to swap those switches, you won't have to remove the pod.

borland

Weissach,

Good points. Switching to a lighter color, using Dupont vinyl resin spray, might be the solution to sun warping.

The Dupont is very durable and easy to repair if scuffed or scratched.

I think a light-brown would look as good as the dark-brown in his car.

Weissach

I used some heavy duty 3M adhesive the last two times. There is no way around it, it will warp. The question them becomes, when... The only way to have one of these dash cover is to:

1. NEVER park in the sun, only in the shade.
2. The dash can only see sun if your driving, with the AC on. This will keep the dash temperature down. If your AC is not working...forget it.

For me it wasn't a big deal at first. It was on my hobby car, so I didn't drive it everyday. But if it's on a daily driver, there is no way. It takes just two days parked in the sun to warp!! It warps that fast. So, you must be extra careful.

Evian

Thanks Weissach
I'll keep my eyes open to any warping. This is my project car. I am months away from finishing it. I don't use it as a daily driver. Gas is too expensive in Chicago. I use a Honda Civic Hatchback as a daily driver. Great on gas and fun to drive.

rickc

What's the best way to cover the dash? If you use leather, then there is a difference to make up in thickness. Anybody have any pictures where they have installed leather over the pod? How do you make the bends and also provide enough clearance around the pod switches?
Thanks,
Rick
'78 930
'87 928S4

H2

I put a pod cover on just as temporary fix until I can redo it proper...but I like it so much, I'm in no hurry. Not perfectly stock, but looks very good. Few notice.

H2

Rob M Budd

When I install leather on the pod, I open the diameter of the switch holes to 1 5/8" with a Dremel barrel sander. In the pic you see the holes enlarged and foam added to the top surface.
The polyethylene blend foam is added and sanded to meet the contours after the cracks are fixed and the surface smoothed.
The foam doesn't expand or contract very much and the leather is adhered only on the face, bottom of the sides, and back. The leather rides on top of the foam expanding and contacting all it wants without splitting or cracking.
I do the same when refinishing the dash board and BTW Porsche uses a similar process and material on late model vehicles.