Off with her dash!
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 205
From: Prescott, AZ
Off with her dash!
I have the dreaded a/c evaporator leak that needs replacement. Found a new evap that is now on order. Porsche wants $2,100 (!!!) for the whole in-dash unit and don't sell just the evaporator so my indy was able to get one for me for $100.
So, since I have to remove the entire dash to get at the evaporator, I'm making a list of other projects to do while the dash is out. Here's what I have listed so far:
- blend door foam - not an issue yet but I don't want to do this again.
- repaint the horseshoe to body color. The console needs repaint as well, but that can come later
- install "Targa roof" switch with built-in garage door opener
- new double-din radio and rearrange the "stack"
- replace cigarette lighter with USB ports
- check the drains in the battery compartment since i have to remove the battery for the airbag disable
- paddle shifters on the steering wheel
What other thinks should I be thinking about?
So, since I have to remove the entire dash to get at the evaporator, I'm making a list of other projects to do while the dash is out. Here's what I have listed so far:
- blend door foam - not an issue yet but I don't want to do this again.
- repaint the horseshoe to body color. The console needs repaint as well, but that can come later
- install "Targa roof" switch with built-in garage door opener
- new double-din radio and rearrange the "stack"
- replace cigarette lighter with USB ports
- check the drains in the battery compartment since i have to remove the battery for the airbag disable
- paddle shifters on the steering wheel
What other thinks should I be thinking about?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10,424
Likes: 229
From: SOcialist republic of CALifornia
If the whole dash is coming out...
Leather. Yards of it.
This is the one opportunity you have to drastically update the interior - get a good upholstery shop to work some upgrade magic. Maybe some subtle deviated stitching...
Leather. Yards of it.
This is the one opportunity you have to drastically update the interior - get a good upholstery shop to work some upgrade magic. Maybe some subtle deviated stitching...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 202
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I changed out my dash for one with a glove box. Reupholstered it and added a few things like changeable footwell lighting, extra power port, addes the on board computer and cruise controk, extra switches etc ... cleaned up the wiring
Be warned that the screws at rhe front are hard to get at. You will also be removing the dash frame and bracing, not just the dash.
Take pictures of where the screws are and label your screws. Some things have to come out on a very specific order btw.
This will be labour intensive
Be warned that the screws at rhe front are hard to get at. You will also be removing the dash frame and bracing, not just the dash.
Take pictures of where the screws are and label your screws. Some things have to come out on a very specific order btw.
This will be labour intensive
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 269
Likes: 61
I had to remove the dash on a Baby Benz a few rears ago to replace a $35 A/C part. 11 hours total as per MB and that's what it took, not hard, just a lot of work. Enjoy, and as you said replace anything else that looks sketchy while you're in there.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 205
From: Prescott, AZ
I suspect my wife's car will be parked outside for a week so i can lay parts out in the order they were removed.
- Changeable footwell lighting sounds interesting.
- Hadnt considered recovering the dash. won't that result in an urge to recover the rest of the interior? The drivers seat is a Recarro so won't have to touch that.
- Changeable footwell lighting sounds interesting.
- Hadnt considered recovering the dash. won't that result in an urge to recover the rest of the interior? The drivers seat is a Recarro so won't have to touch that.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10,424
Likes: 229
From: SOcialist republic of CALifornia
If you're going to sink that much money into making the car a nicer place to be (that's an assumption from the double-DIN head unit and some of your other listed upgrades), why not go the full monty?
I suspect my wife's car will be parked outside for a week so i can lay parts out in the order they were removed.
- Changeable footwell lighting sounds interesting.
- Hadnt considered recovering the dash. won't that result in an urge to recover the rest of the interior? The drivers seat is a Recarro so won't have to touch that.
- Changeable footwell lighting sounds interesting.
- Hadnt considered recovering the dash. won't that result in an urge to recover the rest of the interior? The drivers seat is a Recarro so won't have to touch that.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 254
Likes: 18
From: Roswell, GA
If I ever did this, I'd set up my go-pro to video while I was removing so I would have video to look at WHEN I forgot where stuff came from. My go-pro has a setting to take a picture every second, which might work best.
