Possible Headrest Project
 

I love the headrests on the back bench, however the entry level Diablos of the early 2000's did not have these. I have included a picture of what I have. I'm wondering if I find someone to build the headrests if they can be attached to my existing sunpad or if there there is some special construction to attach the headrests to. If anyone has disassembled these and knows what it looks like beneath the cushion I would appreciate it. I probably wouldn't do it if it was going to be a major project. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Another request I would have of members, is if they have had headrests re-upholstered I might use the same person as they would know how to do this as well as include the Mariah logo. Please let me know what you all think.

Craig
What I have.[ATTACH]Attachment 2840[/ATTACH]

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

Im considering the removal of my headrests from our z302 when I redo the interior in the coming months.

Are you in a hurry ?

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

I would be interested. The boat is in the shop for some repairs so I can't get to it to see if it is possible in the first place. However, when you get to the project, send me a message and by then I should now better what I'm looking at. Thanks for replying, man I love this site!!

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

I failed to take photos when I replaced my vinyl, but I may be able to help you understand how they're made and installed.

Each headrest was made up of a plywood base (maybe 3/4" thick) with 2 pieces making an "L". The padding and vinyl were then wrapped around the plywood. There were 2 "nut inserts" (basically a very thin nut with a few claws that were pressed into the wood to prevent them from spinning. The headrests mounted directly over the foam and vinyl of the sunpad, held by 2 bolts going into the nut inserts.

My biggest suggestion would be to press the headrest into the foam as hard as possible, then locate the mounting holes somehow. You'll want them resting on the wood of the sunpad, not just the foam. Otherwise, the first person to accidentally sit on one will cause something to break.

Hope this helps somewhat. It's hard to describe without pictures. I will say I wasn't terribly impressed with the construction (and even ended up "reinforcing" them a little more myself). But I definitely like the looks of them. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions.

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

Thanks a ton. That makes perfect sense. As I sent out my first message I totally forgot that my dad owns a Shabah 212 that has the headrests and I can look at his. :shakehead: But knowing how they are built and attached is crucial, so that helps. If Oregondunes doesn't want to part with his, I'm thinking I can sweet talk by dad into taking one of his off and get it to a upholster and re-create them. Who knows if that will work or not. Anyway, thanks again for the info and I'll keep ya'll posted.

I'm not breaking some cardinal rule about "original" Mariah work here am I?:wink_thumbup:

Craig

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

its called retro-fit or customizing and as long as your adding OEM design its all good by me

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

LOL. Sounds good. Just let me know when you get around to the project. Craig

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

That depends who you ask. I've seen many great restoration and customizing projects, and seen quite a few not-so-great ones that make you ask "Really?!?". If you can get the OEM headrests from oregondunes, and make it look like a factory install, I say go for it! :wink_thumbup:

Re: Possible Headrest Project
 

I'm definitely picky about that kind of thing so if i can't get it right I won't do it at all. We'll see how things go. Thanks for all the input guys.

Craig