When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
That's probably the most efficient way to get them back to Texas anyway.
Good deal. The material I am considering making these from will have some slight flex but much stiffer than foam.
Thanks Scott! I'm glad I can put my knowledge and background in 3D manufacturing to good use here.
I am also a part of the GT6 and FJ40 community and the folks there love their cars as well. But the level of commitment and strive to keep the 928s on the road has thoroughly impressed me. I find that even if you have a question and post it you have contributed because it spawns a thread that others can reference to solve a similar problem.
I have to agree with Nate, the level and depth of commitment to keeping these cars running well is heartening. I'm a member of sailboat groups, and in the recent past Honda inline four motorcycle and Triumph motorcar groups and the level of participation and knowledge here matches and surpasses what I encountered there.
While you are doing this, would it be possible to create a later style ( that does not have the integral radio trim) which normally has the square hole for the ugly digital clock, but replace the square hole with one ( or three) round holes to retrofit the much cooler older style clock into a newer dash. Like this part #6:
I understand there is not the round framework behind that on the console itself, but that support could be rigged easily enough.
While you are doing this, would it be possible to create a later style ( that does not have the integral radio trim) which normally has the square hole for the ugly digital clock, but replace the square hole with one ( or three) round holes to retrofit the much cooler older style clock into a newer dash. Like this part #6:
I understand there is not the round framework behind that on the console itself, but that support could be rigged easily enough.
Originally Posted by UNEEKONE
On that note, can you make one that doesn't have any opening at all?
The answer to both of these is yes it's doable. And if part #6 of the later cars is the same except for the holes then it would be even easier. Otherwise I'll have to model a newer part. I have an '84 and will be getting into the center console at some point and will take a lot at the similarities and differences to the OB part.
The answer to both of these is yes it's doable. And if part #6 of the later cars is the same except for the holes then it would be even easier. Otherwise I'll have to model a newer part. I have an '84 and will be getting into the center console at some point and will take a lot at the similarities and differences to the OB part.
I _think_ the big hoop that goes around the shifter is slightly different in older vs. newer, but I am not positive, and I don't have two side by side to compare. IIRC that is the main reason you can't just chop the top radio trim part off an OB version and pop it into a newer console. Again side by side would be needed to confirm.
I _think_ the big hoop that goes around the shifter is slightly different in older vs. newer, but I am not positive, and I don't have two side by side to compare. IIRC that is the main reason you can't just chop the top radio trim part off an OB version and pop it into a newer console. Again side by side would be needed to confirm.
Looking at them compared to my '84 and your are correct. Other subtle differences also that would really require using a newer hoop recreate. If I can successfully create an OB hoop, then if there is enough interest I can look at the newer S styles.
So Roger was very kind and sent me two really nice examples. One with 3 holes and one with 1 hole. The 1 hole surround is in excellent shape. The 3 hole is in very good shape only with some very minor flaws. Both with lend themselves to being scanned which I plan to do this weekend.
So one thing I noticed right away is that their profiles are different. As you can see, the 3 hole trim has a tighter radius than the 1 hole trim. This is likely due to the fact that they are constructed with a ~3/16" wire embedded into the dense foam that allows them to bend and hold the resultant shape.
My original plan, based on some feedback here, was to create a more rigid surround without the wire. However I am not sure that will be a wise approach in light of the comparison above.
Assuming the center console on my '84 has the same profile along the trim edge as the OEM pieces I created a profile template from the 3 hole and 1 hole surrounds and compared it to my car. This is the 1 hole template. The short edge matches dead on but there is about a 1/4" gap in the radius that extends about halfway down the long edge.
Conversely the 3 hole template shows a mismatch on the short edge with about an 3/16" gap on the long edge.
Now during installation both of these mismatches would be easily compensated for since you can essentially form these wire-skeleton OEM pieces to fit. So one approach I can take is to create a profile template of my '84 and gently form OEM trim pieces to match. And then use them as masters to create a semi-rigid part with no wire skeleton. This part would be able to open close around the radius a little but would be under some pre-load once installed because it would always want to return to its mastered shape. My concern however is that there may no be enough compliance to allow it to fit correctly like the OEM piece. Please tell me if I am over thinking this aspect though.
The other option is to build these with a wire skeleton like the OEM pieces. More complicated but doable.
For now I am going to go ahead and scan the parts after I reform them to meet the profile of my center console. However if someone knows that the OB center console profiles are different form the S models let me know. And if so, let me know if you can make and send me a cardboard profile of your OB trim edge.
Very cool idea. I am watching this closely.
P.S. - When your are done with Rog's surround, send it to me and I will send it to Alex and make sure he sends it back to Roger.
and a picture 'cause it's pretty!
Very cool idea. I am watching this closely.
P.S. - When your are done with Rog's surround, send it to me and I will send it to Alex and make sure he sends it back to Roger.
and a picture 'cause it's pretty!
Great pic and it illustrates some of the challenges of going to a semi-rigid part. For example does the surround need to be able to bow around the top of the HVAC unit? All the pics I have seen of these have that same flex. When I master that part I can make that straight so it looks perfect. But if the HVAC no longer fits then obviously that won't work.
ps...I think a better plan is for you to pick up one of Alex's pasha OB's and drive it out to Seattle. We will install the trim and car pool it down to Texas for Roger.
Interesting. I am not sure it needs to be flexible or not. I have not had mine out or attempted to remove the climate control head. I know little about it's makeup and as a result have no idea how it behaves after so much time, but I do imagine it has shrunk a tad.
p.s. calling Alex now, gonna get his continental orange one.
I think the differences being observed are a byproduct of repeated removal and installation. As long as the end product is not brittle, nothing more than the slightest of give will suffice to allow installation. Now the question is to determine the true original radius. I imagine you can use your console for that. Thanks for taking this on!
The answer to both of these is yes it's doable. And if part #6 of the later cars is the same except for the holes then it would be even easier. Otherwise I'll have to model a newer part. I have an '84 and will be getting into the center console at some point and will take a lot at the similarities and differences to the OB part.
When you get to this point, I am in for at least one. And I think there is a market for people who do not like the digital clock, but balk at the GTS style square analog replacement ( or just like the round style better, like me)
02-01-2017, 04:06 PM
