Who is using an aluminum dash lower on a 74+ car?

Ds1 · 10-06-2014, 04:56 PM

Hey guys,

Just realized I'm going to be getting rid of my heat controls and radio, and who cares about a glove box, so I want to do an aluminum dash lower like Rennline offers.

Rennline Aluminum lower dash cover- Porsche-Rennline, Inc.

Do you keep or get rid of your padded knee pads when installing this? Is it a pretty easy install or do you have to take the whole dash apart? Does anyone have any pics of this in a SC or Carrera that doesn't have a full cage?

Ayles · 10-06-2014, 05:09 PM

I'm going to be doing it on my 82sc very soon as well, subbed! I have found a couple threads on this but they are all pretty old.

I just recently pulled the blower and related controls in preparation for install.. My knee pads and glove box are in pretty bad shape so this seems like an excellent way to clean everything up for a reasonable cost.

Ds1 · 10-06-2014, 05:29 PM

Oh cool! I have a ROW 82 too, but its a coupe.

Are you using the Rennline hole covers for the blowers under the hood? They seem a little expensive considering they all look like just flat aluminum.

Ayles · 10-06-2014, 07:19 PM

I am planning on getting the plates since two of the holes (the outside two) have some funky curves to them.

lin7310948 · 10-07-2014, 01:39 AM

a pic of the dash in my 78 930. knee pads are removed. not particularly difficult to install.

Ds1 · 10-07-2014, 05:54 AM

That looks sweet! Nice and clean. What the heck gauges do you have? Also love the Hargett, I will be getting one as soon as I figure out if it fits between my Corbeau FX1's...

Ayles · 10-07-2014, 10:14 AM

Looks great! Hope some more photos show up!

Ayles · 10-13-2014, 08:34 AM

I started taking a closer look at the dash and had a question on how the area around the gas lid pull knob. It was not clear to me how the old plastic trim is removed around this spot. Does it just pull around the knob?

Ds1 · 10-13-2014, 08:51 AM

No idea, but make sure to post pics when you're done

Clay.0 · 10-13-2014, 09:20 AM

I recently posted this in the custom interior thread, but here it is again.

The Rennline piece isn't designed to be used with the lower dash/knee bar nor the ashtray so I had to cut/trim it to accept both the knee bar and ash tray. I unfortunately did not take a picture, however on the back off the knee bars there are flat square areas where the studs are. This square areas needs to be cut out of the Rennline piece, so the studs and square area can protrude through and bolt to the dash.

It really wasn't too bad, I just trimmed a little, test fit, trimmed more, test fit, etc until it all cleared.

The other thing you need to do is shim out the bottom side of the rennline piece about 1/4". The original foam dash piece is about 3/8" thick and the Rennline piece is about 1/8" thick. So without shimming it out, there would be a gap between the knee bar and dash piece.

You can see in the last pic that the fuel door pull knob is above the dash piece

Ayles · 10-13-2014, 09:31 AM

Did that knob, fit through the plastic trim when you took it off or did you have to remove the knob first?

Clay.0 · 10-13-2014, 09:36 AM

The plastic trim has been removed. I recovered the gauge area with a new piece of vinyl, which I extended to the door jam. So the pull knob just goes through the vinyl.

I fully removed the knob and cable when removing the plastic trim and adding the vinyl.

Ds1 · 10-13-2014, 10:05 AM

DANG that looks great! I'm tempted to keep the knee pads and ash tray now, it looks so nicely finished. Only thing is removing those will save me another few pounds, hmmmm...

Ds1 · 10-13-2014, 10:06 AM

Also I LOVE your door panels, I was thinking of doing the exact same thing with my RS panels.

proffighter · proffighter's Garage

DIY version on my 930

jakz · 10-14-2014, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proffighter

DIY version on my 930

that looks great, what kind of shifter is that?

proffighter · proffighter's Garage

D-Zug, improved by myself...

Unfortunately not worth the price in my eyes (not performance but quality), see my posts about here:

Another rust combat

Ayles · 12-10-2014, 07:24 PM

Just got mine in the mail yesterday (great looking in black), any tips on making a template for drilling the holes for the headlight and hazard lights?

neill · neill's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay.0

I recently posted this in the custom interior thread, but here it is again.

SNIP

Sorry but can you link me to this thread? I can't seem to find it. Keen to see some peoples takes on interiors.

Clay.0 · 12-11-2014, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

Just got mine in the mail yesterday (great looking in black), any tips on making a template for drilling the holes for the headlight and hazard lights?

Remove all the switches, mock up where the aluminum piece will be mounted. Once the aluminum is fit where you want it, put a few screws in to hold it in place. Then use a pencil or marker from behind the dash to mark the holes for the headlights and hazard switch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neill

Sorry but can you link me to this thread? I can't seem to find it. Keen to see some peoples takes on interiors.

Let's see your custom interior!!