Raptor Dash on a Series

Bought my raptor dash last Christmas. No rush to fit it until I removed my truckcab top at the start of summer. Previously my stereo and speakers had been housed in a roof mounted enclosure.

Finally found time to fit it today.

Thought I'd post a thread to help others and to record my progress. Unfortunately all my previous work and 3000 posts were lost when lanrovernet forum disappeared. Great shame.

Anyway I had looked in vain for anything approaching a how-to specifically for a series, and the raptor dash instructions are basic. All I did know was that in a series it is sometimes necessary to bend the gearstick. Here's a real-life fitting walk thorough.

Before starting this is what I had:


As you can see had previously fitted hazard light switch and 12v power socket.

First job is to cut the supplied template and fix it in place using the existing bolt holes. Paper template supplied. You need to stick it to plywood, or something with minim flex. I used rigid foam board as I had some lying around.


Then I taped around it with silver duct tape to provide a clean cut line.


Stanley knife carefully cuts the foam away.


Then 1mm cutting disc in angle grinder very carefully on the inside edge if tape, finishing off corners with hacksaw. Then file and paint cut edges.


I cannot believe that any original series gearstick will clear a raptor dash. In my case it actually sat inside the housing.


Instructions say to lift it on its splines and turn it round (instructions clearly for a defender), or heat up and bend. In my case I don't own any oxy kit so it was unbolted, into the vice and bent with an 8ft scaffolds tube even then it wasn't easy. Don't underestimate the amount of work in getting the gear-lever out. I had to take out one floor panel, transmission tunnel, and power part of the bulkhead. A long way from the '20 minutes' raptor tell you it takes to fit. Allow half a day if you're reasonably competent. I've previously replaced footwell door pillar and outrigger on drivers side so all bolts were new and mostly stainless and came out easy. Allow longer if yours are rusted.

Anyway, that done it was time to fit. Again instructions are for defender. I found that the best way was to drill and fit two rivnuts to the panel behind the dash and fix to there.




Finally the easy bit. Thanks to careful cutting it fitted perfectly.




Nothing wired up yet, but that's a job for another day. Hope this helps someone.

Looks neat. Can't beat a few purposeful gauges. Shame the gearstick needs adjustment to fit but even with the standard dash, reverse is close on your knuckles!

Have you done any more work on the V8?

Many thanks. Nice to see you here Land Raver!

V8 is currently half built in the workshop. Last job I did was to soak the cylinder heads to degrease them. They're still soaking months later. I tend to do garden projects in the summer. Restored a couple of ponds, redid a load of borders. Lots of new planting. Love to be outside. It's also been a tough work year. 8 weeks of 15-18 hour days for the whole summer and only two days off in the last 6 weeks or so. No family holiday either. It will calm down soon and will get back on the engine once the weather changes most likely.

In other news, disappointed to find out that the London 2 Brighton is cancelled this year. That's normally my longest trip out in the landy, with the kids taking it in turns to come each year. Although they could both fit, it's a point of principle that they refuse to go together !

Shame work has prevented play through the summer months. Your ponds did look good though!
I never got round to doing the L to B, the date usually clashed with the large Newbury autojumble - shame they are not doing it, it seemed a popular event.

Hey @Bobsticle ! A funky dash upgrade to rival yours.

John S said:

Hey @Bobsticle ! A funky dash upgrade to rival yours.

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Just looking at it now.
If I can ever be bothered I may tweek my gear stick but it will be with a bottle jack and chain. Sod taking it out.

Probably should have done the same myself. I kept searching and searching online as I was convinced I was missing something and it should come out easy, but no. You have to dismantle half the vehicle to get to it. Presumably whoevers bright idea it was to hide the front two fixings under the bulkhead is the same chap that decided that the entire vehicle should be built around the windscreen washers.

Good news on the L2B though. Apparently it's back on next year.

Those two fixings under the bulkhead are a real pain, when I replaced my gearstick, I only put one of them back, I ran out of patience. Your dash looks really good. Does the bent gearstick prevent a passenger from using the middle seat?

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Those two fixings under the bulkhead are a real pain, when I replaced my gearstick, I only put one of them back, I ran out of patience. Your dash looks really good. Does the bent gearstick prevent a passenger from using the middle seat?

Col

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Gear lever position is not ideal but to be fair I've probably only used the middle seat half a dozen times in total and even then they had to sit with their legs to the left of the transmission tunnel. It's also just taps the ball of my overdrive lever if it's pushed forward

that's a neat job, i like it ! it doesnt stand out like a sore thumb in satin black like yours, i've seen some in defenders where the metal plates are brushed alloy or stainless steel, too much !

maybe judicious use of black vinyl would "series it" down into the surroundings

i have a copy of my build thread on retrorides, but i know it wasn't as thorough as landrovernet because its a general audience on there :/

DarrenHS3 said:

that's a neat job, i like it ! it doesnt stand out like a sore thumb in satin black like yours, i've seen some in defenders where the metal plates are brushed alloy or stainless steel, too much !

maybe judicious use of black vinyl would "series it" down into the surroundings

i have a copy of my build thread on retrorides, but i know it wasn't as thorough as landrovernet because its a general audience on there :/[/QUOT

Click to expand...

Many thanks. Im very pleased with it. I had toyed with the idea of painting the panels in body colour but quickly decided that would look horrific. Likewise the black anodised panels I think fit better in a series than the brushed ali option.

Blends very well in black but now you mention it, I've looked back at your photo and I actually reckon the body colour would look good too - Kind of continue up from the bulkhead - bit Series 2 ish.

My only concern is the fact your pack of HobNobs will have to be stored in front of the passenger. Way to far away for my liking. Have you thought of a sling behind the gear stick.

Those two fixings under the bulkhead are a real pain, when I replaced my gearstick, I only put one of them back, I ran out of patience. Your dash looks really good. Does the bent gearstick prevent a passenger from using the middle seat?

On the occasions that Ive had a passenger in my centre seat, we have got to know one another very.... er ...... intimately..... whenever 4th gear was selected!