Homelink install progress
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Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 248
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From: Chicago
Homelink install progress
After much planning and research, I have finally started to install a Homelink into the visor. Here are the preliminary details.
I have three garages and carry two of the remotes inside the glove box. These are held in place nicely by the elastic strap. However, its kind of a pain to get into the box while driving. I performed a search on this website and talked to few people who had the same idea/concerns.
Thanks to all who helped, especially Walkabt.
Knowing that there is a metal frame inside the visor helped the planning stage. I took an xray of the visor to locate the metal frame relative to the edges and to estimate the space available for the homelink unit. The rest of the visor is composed of polystyrene foam covered with vinyl. There is a thin foam pad on the smooth side. Walkabt had previously posted pics of his dissection of the visor.
I purchased a used homelink visor on ebay. This particular one was from a Nissan. The car isn't particularly important. The key is the small size of the units that are built into the actual visor. I dismantled the visor. More like destroyed it. I removed the homelink unit. These are available new.
From the supplier I contacted: "The unit measures 3" x 2.5" x 5/8". Prices for the units are as follows: Standard Homelink - $160 Homelink with voice recorder - $190, add $6.95 for shipping.
These are special order items, but it only takes a week to get them [I have arranged for a discount if we purchase in quantity]: 1-5 kits, no discount; 5-10 kits, free shipping; 10+ kits, free shipping + $5 off."
Now onto the stook visor. I plan to eventually recover the visor with Rick's leather cover. In the meantime, I mapped out the location so it fits inside the metal frame. I cut the back of the visor (fuzzy side) with an "x" over the planned location. I pealed back the vinyl to expose the polystyrene. I score the polystyrene with a razor blade to rough out the pocket. I then used a rotory tool to remove as much of the foam as possible. This has to be done carefully to avoid going through the front vinyl of the visor (smooth side). Once the leather covers are available this step can be done with extreme prejudice. I used an x-acto blade designed for wood cutting to finish the removal. Some more cutting for an exact fit is required. Its always easier to remove a lot more than to replace a little. "I cut it three times, and it's still too short!" I will post updates as I finish the project. Right now I have to get busy with my real job. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to.
I have three garages and carry two of the remotes inside the glove box. These are held in place nicely by the elastic strap. However, its kind of a pain to get into the box while driving. I performed a search on this website and talked to few people who had the same idea/concerns.
Thanks to all who helped, especially Walkabt.
Knowing that there is a metal frame inside the visor helped the planning stage. I took an xray of the visor to locate the metal frame relative to the edges and to estimate the space available for the homelink unit. The rest of the visor is composed of polystyrene foam covered with vinyl. There is a thin foam pad on the smooth side. Walkabt had previously posted pics of his dissection of the visor.
I purchased a used homelink visor on ebay. This particular one was from a Nissan. The car isn't particularly important. The key is the small size of the units that are built into the actual visor. I dismantled the visor. More like destroyed it. I removed the homelink unit. These are available new.
From the supplier I contacted: "The unit measures 3" x 2.5" x 5/8". Prices for the units are as follows: Standard Homelink - $160 Homelink with voice recorder - $190, add $6.95 for shipping.
These are special order items, but it only takes a week to get them [I have arranged for a discount if we purchase in quantity]: 1-5 kits, no discount; 5-10 kits, free shipping; 10+ kits, free shipping + $5 off."
Now onto the stook visor. I plan to eventually recover the visor with Rick's leather cover. In the meantime, I mapped out the location so it fits inside the metal frame. I cut the back of the visor (fuzzy side) with an "x" over the planned location. I pealed back the vinyl to expose the polystyrene. I score the polystyrene with a razor blade to rough out the pocket. I then used a rotory tool to remove as much of the foam as possible. This has to be done carefully to avoid going through the front vinyl of the visor (smooth side). Once the leather covers are available this step can be done with extreme prejudice. I used an x-acto blade designed for wood cutting to finish the removal. Some more cutting for an exact fit is required. Its always easier to remove a lot more than to replace a little. "I cut it three times, and it's still too short!" I will post updates as I finish the project. Right now I have to get busy with my real job. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,111
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I just completed my Homelink install!!!
I bought a used Homelink via eBay for about $40. (visors from a Sebring convertible)
I had a local auto upholstery shop cut, install and recover the visors.
He added a tad more foam so they are about 1/4" thicker than before. You can't really tell.
I think it's a great "mod". I too hated fumbling for the remotes in the center console.
I bought a used Homelink via eBay for about $40. (visors from a Sebring convertible)
I had a local auto upholstery shop cut, install and recover the visors.
He added a tad more foam so they are about 1/4" thicker than before. You can't really tell.
I think it's a great "mod". I too hated fumbling for the remotes in the center console.
