Removing Dashboard Wood items from Car

[SwissSteve]

Can anyone tell me the best procedure to remove the wood dashboard items?

The dials facia is easy 4 screws but the air vent centre and left look a bit tricky how ar they secured?

I plan to take it all out in a couple of weeks to renew thought I would learn from those who had done this in the past.

[jleyton]

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It's all fairly straightforward Steve. Do you want to remove ALL of the wood pieces?

Forthe centre vent surround, if you look into the vents, you'll see 4 black screws which retain the vent - remove this and then you'll be able to access the fixing nuts easily. Removing the speaker grille on the top of the dash (just pull upwards) will also help access.

Left hand vent surround - remove the black plastic glove box inner (screws are fairly obvious) and then you can access the back of the vent and it's fixings. Knurled nuts hold the vent itself plus a hose type clip for the vent hose.

Glove box lid - I'll leave that up to you to work out

I assume you're ok with the radio surround and coin tray bits?

Cheers

Julian

[SwissSteve]

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That is great thanks for the tips.

As the weather is really good at the moment I think it will be three weeks or so before I start.

Regarding instruments, I want to take the opportunity to improve on what I have. The question is if it is cheaper to get my original reconditioned or buy new.

There are three things I want at the end of this if possible.

1. To change all the dials to the white magnolia look.
2. Stop then from steaming up when cold.
3. Improve the brightness of the display.

Do you think reconditioning the dials as above with improve the display brightness or will the old ones just be the same?

[StagnJag]

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SwissSteve wrote:

...

As the weather is really good at the moment I think it will be three weeks or so before I start.

...

Lucky you, I was going to do an oil change today, but it has done nothing but drizzle all day :X

[martin]

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Hi Steve, the old instruments won't brighten up with cleaning, but, you can replace the bulbs with LEDs,you'll lose the dimming but that doesn't matter. I've changed the bulb holders for bayonet types, they're cheap and readily available online. Electric Pole Volt, about 70p, ref.H790. You need the multi led type in green, BA9s, I got mine from ACEPARTS on Ebay, the equivelant screw type, E10, I can only find in the USA, a company called Autolumination.
I don't know if the magnolia instruments are brighter, I know of at least one guy who has done it, perhaps he'll see this and come to your aid. Have you thought of just replacing the bezels with new ? Some of them get warm and steaming up is the result, it is an old car. Martin.