How to tidy up the dash?

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J

Jowniofownio212

Member
Posts
56
Location
Wales
Hello all

Rebuilding my 1986 defender 110. I want the dash and trim to look reasonable but as it's an old car, it's quite tatty. Is there a way to neaten things up or trim it to make it look newer. Or any threads on here of what people have done on a budget? So far, I'm just looking at glueing suede on to wrap the panels.

Thanks
 
I'm just getting to it ... Dunno about glueing suede, but I'd probably use something like a sticky back material of some sort rather than trying to glue it myself!

Currently I'm fitting a Mudstuff Dash, but sorting shoddy wiring out too. Think I can remove maybe half of it, there must be 12-15 wiring ends, connections going nowhere! .. note the neatly made masking tape and sharpie labels already smudging in the feckin' rain that stopped play. So the tidying will wait a while ... ;)

wiring.jpg
 
There are a few extra connections in that are for factory options like oil pressure and temperature gauges, switched live for the 12v socket (for Australian regulations I think) etc. Depending on what you're fitting in the mudstuff console they may be useful! While it's apart, now is a good point to switch to modern blade fuses while you're at it.

Wrapping the dash is doable, but you need something with a bit of stretch to it to go neatly over the corners. Spray glue should hold it well enough.
 
FlyingPete said:
Wrapping the dash is doable, but you need something with a bit of stretch to it to go neatly over the corners. Spray glue should hold it well enough.
Click to expand...

So what materials are available? Vinyl is too still and won't stretch. Only one I can think is faux suede.

It's the very top dash piece and the lower long piece that require most attention
 
FlyingPete said:
There are a few extra connections in that are for factory options like oil pressure and temperature gauges, switched live for the 12v socket (for Australian regulations I think) etc. Depending on what you're fitting in the mudstuff console they may be useful! While it's apart, now is a good point to switch to modern blade fuses while you're at it.
Click to expand...

That's what I figured, thanks. Be handy if I check them then 'cos a proper 12v switched live being right there will save a lot of faffing. I already have a couple of fuse boxes and blade fuses to go in. Once the wiring is in and properly 'clean' I'll add them .. :)
 
Paul D said:
That's what I figured, thanks. Be handy if I check them then 'cos a proper 12v switched live being right there will save a lot of faffing. I already have a couple of fuse boxes and blade fuses to go in. Once the wiring is in and properly 'clean' I'll add them .. :)
Click to expand...

The thick green one should be switched live. Not sure what fuse it connects to though but that's easy enough to figure out. When I converted to blade fuses, I brought the radio memory and switched live connections down to the main fusebox rather than using the inline fuses which were there originally. Makes it a bit more ordered and easier to deal with any trouble later.
 
Standard Landrover, that switches dash ights, interior cab light or all off, but instead of the centre bulb I have an LED strip across the back .. ;)

The pic was taken with the phone flash though .. ;)
 
can you take a photo with wires on the switch?in my car i haven't the switch,now i buy it but i don't know the wires what i need......because i haven't switch i have no dash lights
 
Yes. Have to be later, I'm waiting for a parcel to be delivered, and they're late so I don't want to miss them!!
 
thanks much....is ok later!!

and for your post something.....im rebuilding my '89 defender and i paint the dash with a special painting for dashboards....here in Hungary we have this spray but i think you have too there...
 
Hope this helps ...

Mine never had the third button so I frigged a voltmeter into the circuit .. ;)

wiring001.jpg
wiring002.jpg
wiring003.jpg
 
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