New to the 80s-club

[drohweder]

OK so I think I got a lead on some wheel caps. Now another question: as mentioned this is the wife's car and therefore asthetics are important. Anyone used these upgraded "wood" dash kits. Some of them look very cool for a boulevard cruiser. What is the going price and is there a particular brand with the best fit?

 

[tucker74]

Most of the folks here are more interested in taking it out - it's going to look like crap in a couple of years anyway.....if you must have it I've seen a few guys selling it on eBay.

Tucker

 

[mtycruiser]

Dan:
There are several places that sell the wood dash kits, if you do a google ( wood dash kits) you will be able to check options, I replaced mine with a kit from Superior Dash which is the current supplier to Toyota. If you decide to change it, go for the real wood, not the fake. I put the medium burlwood, looks very good and original.

 

[Docmallory]

As for the wood dash kits - here's my experience:

If you want to remove the trim, the interior looks pretty good without it. You'll have to be careful not to scratch the plastic underneath when you pry it off. I used a screwdriver and did a rush job - the end result was a scratched up dash.

My advice:
- Use a hairdryer to heat the trim. This softens the adhesive and allows the trim to flex as you pull it off. Otherwise, the trim will probably break into several pieces and be a tougher job.
- Use a plastic putty knife on the big pieces (console, armrests, under the instrument panel), not a screwdriver
- Go slowly.
- Use your finger to rub off the gooey grey adhesive that is left over
- 3M wax, tar, and adhesive remover will make short work of whatever adhesive remains.

I ended up replacing my trim with a B&I wood trim kit I got off eBay. It's real wood (I got walnut). It is a more linear grain, and while it doesn't match the OEM burl, I think it looks better.

Fitting the pieces is very easy. I had a little difficulty with the adhesive promotor, but not too bad.

 

[G-Cat]

I would say NO! to the wood dash. I put a kit on my wife's 80 (per her request) and it looked good...till it started to warp. Then I noticed that every crumb/grain/piece of lint found it's way into the crease twixt the kit and the dash. After two years (and with the wife's full permission) that POS wood kit is gone and we don't miss it a bit.

IKf yuo want good-looking wood, spend the $ on a wood steering wheel and gear shift knob from a 96-97 Lexus LX-450. The after-market kits suck, IMO.

 

[thorvald]

test

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

Shamless post i see :

 

[thorvald]

wanted to check to see if it was just chit-chat that quit counting posts.
guess so.

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

none the less, it's still a shamless post

 

[drohweder]

OK. I think the wood kit is out. If the wife still wants some I may spring for the steering wheel and shifter knob.

What about fixing those corner scuffs? Is there some sort of sanding and color buffing that will work. Doesn't have to be perfect just less obvious. Eventually they are getting replaced with ARB/Slees anyway

Thanks for the help.