dash redo

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p.smitty

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Has anyone replaced the dash and wood lately in thier E9? I just bought a wood kit from Bela and I'm curious as what the proper steps and proceedures are. I'm guess it's windows out, headliner redo, dash and wood replacement, window seal replacement (front and rear), then carpets and seats last?

Has anyone had the dash replaced with the same stitching as the "console"? Leather or vinyl?

Any tips or suggestions,

Pat
 
Dash

Hi Pat,
Have you come up with a plan of action yet as far as your new wood set/dash resto? I am in the same position as you and I am still debating whether is should take on this project myself or have a pro take care of it so I don't screw it up...
Let me know if you have any helpful hints/advice?
Cheers
Pieter
 
Pat and Pieter,

I went through this process about eigth years ago so it's hard to remember all of the details. I took the whole thing apart and sent the wood out to Maderia Concepts and the dash out to 'Just Dashes'. I did have the windshield out for both the removal and the re-install. This is definitely something you can do yourseft (and save a bunch of money) but I wouldn't consider it a weekend project.

As I recall, the first step is removing the front power window switches in the console to access the console mounting screws, it just kind of 'unfolds' from there. I just wish I had my iphone when I did mine- I would have taken a lot more photos.

To this day, I still have to take a couple of seconds to look at that beautiful dash before I turn the key.

Vince
 
Hi Vince,
Thanks for your encouraging words..... It may very well be a late fall/winter project that I start myself and see how far I get.
For the front windshield removal did you use just anybody or somebody that specializing in vintage cars? It seems there are some nightmare instances with car glass guys not knowing what they are doing and causing more harm
Cheers
Pieter
 
doubledutch said:
Hi Pat,
Have you come up with a plan of action yet as far as your new wood set/dash resto? I am in the same position as you and I am still debating whether is should take on this project myself or have a pro take care of it so I don't screw it up...
Let me know if you have any helpful hints/advice?
Cheers
Pieter
Click to expand...


The windshield must be removed. I had a crack in mine so when Mario at VSR was to replace, I took that opportunity to have him swap the wood out. Also he replaced all dash light bulbs.

 
Pulling windows

it's actually not that hard to do if the glass has no flaws (stress risers) and you are going to replace the rubber seal with a new one. In that case, you cut the old seal and it will come right out with some gentle and consistent pressure. Sit in the passenger seat, put a folded bath towel between your feet and the window, have your friend get on the outside with some suction handles, gently push at the top and it'll flip right out. Getting it back in is slightly harder, but follow the method described in your Hayne's manual and have a detail oriented and cautious friend help you out. I would almost trust myself MORE than a autoglass place because those guys haven't done an old fashioned window in 15 years (e.g. the younger guys have no experience).

John
 
Woe is the worker that doesn't deal with the two sharp cutting edges on the chin when re-installing. There goes that beautiful wood. Use masking tape on the cluster studs also.
 
Btw- seal gets pulled INTO the car not out, 5 min job.
 
Dash resto

Thanks for all the advice, I may have to borrow some of Mike Thompson' s (he lives down the street) time as far as the windshield goes, and yes I was planning on buying new seal, my current ones aren't that great anyway, windshield itself seems very good.
I bought a wood set from Bela and I can't wait for the install, his workmanship is unbelievable. While the dash is out I will also attempt to fix the clock and yes replace all bulbs. Should be an interesting job to say the least, if I get stuck I could always I'll drive it over to Mario of VSR in NH without a windshield ...;)

Shanon; you were able to get the dash out without taking the windshield out, wow seems like a major pain from what I have read on this site, not sure if my fingers are small enough for the job...

Cheers
Pieter
 
sorry

I have been on vacation and haven't had a chance to respond. I also purchased a wood set from Bela and am awaiting his shipment. I hear he does great work.
Did any of you change out the headliner since the windshield was out? Maybe change the rear window seal at the same time? I know that you can really get carried away if you allow yourself to.

Pat
 
p.smitty said:
I have been on vacation and haven't had a chance to respond. I also purchased a wood set from Bela and am awaiting his shipment. I hear he does great work.
Did any of you change out the headliner since the windshield was out? Maybe change the rear window seal at the same time? I know that you can really get carried away if you allow yourself to.

Pat
Click to expand...

Yep, I had the headliner changed out and all new leather (including door panels). The classic 'while I'm there'. The only thing that stayed was the carpet. It looked new, still does.

I threw a ton of money at my coupe the first couple of years.

I have two sets of books fo money spent on my car, the real one and the one I show my wife.
 
Hi Vince & All members in the same situation of extreme spending.
I too had two books and with the car at 98% done I decided to take a tally. Not having all the receipts I was shocked at the total. After discussing the money amount with my son who had done all the work using new for everything mechanical that was available,he also had a box full of receipts that he purchased without me knowing.
So as it turned out number one book was my bank book that was to be used for vacations and fun stuff for not only myself but also my wife. She still can't find the book to see what little of the $30K is left.
The second book is a small notebook kept by my son,who refuses to show me the total. If it's only half of my total the grand total will still be three times what the car is worth. Oh well thank God it now owned by my son,given to him as payment for all work done. Paid in Full!
Yes I miss the car that was in the second bay of my garage giving me an opportunity to go sit next to it and admire the beautiful lines.
Now it is in a better place,in one bay of a four garage,with oriental carpets,heated with tons of lighting,high ceilings, Bose music system, parked next to a 1963 Austin Healey BJ7 also completely restored by my son,in prestine condition. Rumours have it that the Healey is being stored for my 4 year old grandaughter Matilda,and the 2000CS for her 7 yesr old sister Molly,who are now practice driving a battery powered Mustang and a battery power Mini Cooper. By the time they are old enough to drive they will be ready and able.
Sorry for taking the time to brag about my grandchildren,but without the 2000CS I have to have something to brag about.
Have a great night.
Koopman
 
Wait do you mean to tell me that my coupe won't be worth 100k by the time I'm done and that all this lying to my wife has been all for naught!

Not only did a new set of wood from bela trigger a new headliner, carpets, rubber, windshield, etc. but I had to build a new garage to store it in. No Persian rugs but I did go for the high gloss epoxy floor and the four post lift. The only thing missing is the coupe!

One more week and I'm sure they will be finished....

Oh wait, I forgot about the 3.5 and 5 speed I've already sourced....
 
It sure is easy to spend big $$ on these cars when restoring, I haven't added up yet (and I don't think I will:( ) but I'm picking I would have spent the thick end of 100k when all done, and that don't include the 100's of hrs I have spent on the car.
 
Add me to those who do not want to think about how they have spent....

As for dash, mine had a big crack so we will cover it in black leather. But I am curious as to how well something like that can be repaired?
 
kasbatts said:
It sure is easy to spend big $$ on these cars when restoring, I haven't added up yet (and I don't think I will:( ) but I'm picking I would have spent the thick end of 100k when all done, and that don't include the 100's of hrs I have spent on the car.
Click to expand...

No way. Unless your currency is at 5:1 to the US $...
 
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