Not sure where to post this: (mods please move to appropriate forum if necessary)

I recently took out my audio controls, which were never hooked up after getting my MP3 head unit with remote. I really didn't know what to do with them so decided to put a guage in its place. You can fit any guage you like after fitting for the right size. (In this example I will use a 2" A/F meter. (basically a bunch of pretty lights)

First remove the instrument panel and vents etc. If you don't know how to do this consult your service manual. (I have found the easiest way is to drop the steering column and then remove)

The Audio Controls are held in by 3 screws on the back side of the instrument panel garnish. (It'll make sense as you do it.)
Pull apart the audio controls being carefull not to break the clips that hold the face (on the left in the pic) onto the backing (on the right). You will be left with something that looks like :



Discard the buttons and all electronic pieces. I then used a dremel to remove all extra plastic and enlarged the hole where the large audio control button use to be on both the front and backing parts:



Time to get out the fiberglass resin and enough fabric to cover the face at least 3 times:



Follow the instructions on how to mix and use Fiberglass (If you have never done this before). Sand the face with 100 grit sandpaper (or whatever you haev around) and apply 3 layers of fiberglass overlapping on diagonals from the previous layer. Try to keep the layers as flat as possible (this will save you alot of sanding later on...



After drying use the dremel again and trim the outside of the face and cut out the 2 holes for the guage and the start button. Slap on a quick coat of body filler of fiberglass filler and trim that as well. (sorry to all those who have never used autobody products before, I missed a pic of the fiberglass without filler on it)... pretty basic stuff just stick to the instructions on the filler:



The back fitted with the backing plastic (test fit):



Sand the face with a flat piece of wood or other flat object (we used a pack of smokes... hehe) Use 80-100 grit to start. Make sure you edge the start button hole correctly so that the button will still fit flush with the new fiberglass face:





Test fit and sand as necessary. Use High Build primer to fill the scratches and paint to match. (we only used a black that we had lying around but I would suggest color match the "dark metalic" color that the heater control side is. (anyone know what color is the closest?)

All that is left is to wire up the guage and replace the dash.....

The final result:




~Brett

 

thats hardcore! Maybe this should go in the FAQ in electronic forum as reference? I dont use the audo stuff anymore either, waste of space...

 

exactly.... what it really needs is a boost guage though!!!

 

 

 

Emil St-Hilaire ... and your point is?
I like the guage pods too, but this way I have one extra spot... and IMO the audio controls are fugly anyway.