[jkboliphant]

Hello,

I was not happy with how the faceplate that held my radio and seat/hatch/air and water temp switches. After getting it out I am pretty confident that some hack made a horrible attempt at fabricating a custom plate as it is extremely thin and flimsy and just looks really bad. Does anyone out there know where I can get the orginal factory switch layout for this panel and what material/finish should I get my new custom panel made out of? Thanks for everything. Take care.

[Z 202]

See this thread: Instrument panel re-inforcement.

It describes how to make a plate to re-inforce the plastic factory one. If it were me, I would just get one made up in aluminum, and have it powder coated.

[jkboliphant]

Just to add a little more to this mess, the plastic that is covered by the vinyl is discinegrating before me, are there any tips tricks to sure up the plastic and reinforce it. Thanks.

[Z 202]

I would just use the template provided in the thread I linked to earlier to make up a panel in aluminum, have it powder coated, or anodized, or smply painted with a good quality finish and use it to replace the plastic panel entirely.

[jkboliphant]

Let me clarify my predicament a little more, they plastic piece that is covered in white vinyl that the new aluminum face plate will attach to is falling apart and that is what I need to reinforce. I checked out the template for the face plate that holds the radio and switches and I've got that covered, now I need to sure up the piece that holds the faceplate. Hopefully this picture will show what I am talking about. I have read a little bit about techniques for glassing over plastic, though generally it seems that it doesn't work very well, but I have to do something. I will post a pic when I get home with the vinyl removed so that maybe I will make more sense.

[ewcjoro]

I had the same issue...had a local machine shop draw up dimensions for a replacement faceplate.

I used a larger radio and an IPOD dock, so I had to move the access holes around a bit. Also had to cut out the plastic backing that is behind the existing faceplate.

Since the entire assembly is a bit flimsy, I had screw holes added to my faceplate so that I can bolt that sucker in right.

I will post pics later.

I also found some burl wood vinyl plastic sheets for $5. Easy breezy.

Search my posts for more info.

[atomize22]

Did you ever find out where to get one of those plastic pieces that you said was falling apart behind the vinyl? I know it would be easy to fabricate the console panel itself since it's flat... but that molded piece isn't exactly something you can just whip up.

[845paulg]

As far as the console panel itself, mine was replaced with what appears to be oak. It was stained and urethaned and looks good and it's strong. My backer peice that it is attached to is a little beat from previous butchers opening to access the rats nest they created with the wires. I would love to replace both pieces with something better.