Dashboard Mod question

4

4play

Member
 UK
Has anybody deleted the head unit and centre heating vents using a trim that would cover the hole left when the stero etc are removed.
I don't use the centre vents, find the heat/AC more comfortable through the top vents and as for music, well I have a 6cylinder engine to listen too.
 
If you want to go to that extent then possibly getting hold of a spare dash trim piece and getting it modified somehow would look better. Infill the hole then cover it perhaps?
 
I'd want to use a sheet of aluminium or similar to cover the whole trim, maybe with a couple of gauges where the head unit etc were originally fitted.
Not much available to customise the Z other than either bloody expensive carbon or stick on vynal covers.
 
It would be possible to 3d print a cover. Due to limits on print size of the bed it will have to be in two pieces however they would slot together perfectly with a very minimal join line. You could then wrap it in whatever finish you want.

Depends how much you want to pay someone to draw it. The printing cost would be minimal.
 
Usel said:
It would be possible to 3d print a cover. Due to limits on print size of the bed it will have to be in two pieces however they would slot together perfectly with a very minimal join line. You could then wrap it in whatever finish you want.

Depends how much you want to pay someone to draw it. The printing cost would be minimal.
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Laser cutting aluminium sheet is pretty cheap and there are companies out there that will turn a 2d drawing into a CAD file the cutter understands, biggest problem drawing it accurately enough so when it was fittied the holes cut for gauges were square (square and round)
 
smorris_12 said:
Unless replacing it with a cubby hole, why bother?Close the vents and leave the radio showing the time!
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I personally think the dash would be improved asthetically by deleating the cheap looking vents and headunit. I don't need or want a cubby hole stuck in the middle of my dash, if I wanted practical I'd have bought a hatchback
 
Umfaan said:
…or design you own car from new …as BMW …seems are not to your taste 🤔🤭🙀
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I did that years ago when I had an MG midget, to look like a Lotus Elan. Dials and switches everywhere, wished I'd left it alone, looked crappy. 😱
 
Umfaan said:
…or design you own car from new …as BMW …seems are not to your taste 🤔🤭🙀
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OP, it does seem that you have asked for input and in reply to sensible answers (obviously not mine) you've kind of said "thanks but I know how to do it"?
So what exactly are you asking for?
 
enuff_zed said:
OP, it does seem that you have asked for input and in reply to sensible answers (obviously not mine) you've kind of said "thanks but I know how to do it"?
So what exactly are you asking for?
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I was hoping for some pictures of something similar done by someone else, I doubt I'm the first who wondered what if.
How isn't that difficult, should I? is a completely different question!
 
4play said:
I was hoping for some pictures of something similar done by someone else, I doubt I'm the first who wondered what if.
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I honestly think you might be the first. Deleting the Z4 flip up Satnav screen dent, yes, generically replacing vents with displays, buttons, gauges, etc, yes, adding pods for speakers, yes, but in a mere 30 years of being on internet groups and forums, I don't recall ever heard of anyone wanting rid of a vent or a radio.

The nearest I can think of were the single DIN blanking panels from the decades where cars came without radios or the Max Power fad for smoothing out number plate recesses, wiper holes, door handles, locks and other essential equipment for no advantage whatsoever.

You didn't used to own a Corsa, did you?
 
smorris_12 said:
I honestly think you might be the first. Deleting the Z4 flip up Satnav screen dent, yes, generically replacing vents with displays, buttons, gauges, etc, yes, adding pods for speakers, yes, but in a mere 30 years of being on internet groups and forums, I don't recall ever heard of anyone wanting rid of a vent or a radio.

The nearest I can think of were the single DIN blanking panels from the decades where cars came without radios or the Max Power fad for smoothing out number plate recesses, wiper holes, door handles, locks and other essential equipment for no advantage whatsoever.

You didn't used to own a Corsa, did you?
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I've seen something similar done to a MX5, although far more work than just covering a trim panel, besides, its fully reversable as it would litterally be stuck/bolted/welded on top of the stock trim.
Styling is subjective at the end of the day!
 
I'd go for printing a panel and covering it in contrasting leather(ette). Make a feature of it.

Funnily enough, I did read an ancient thread on here just yesterday about wrapping the entire of the dash trim pieces which would, if the holes were filled, hide the whole shebang.
 
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