Finally Running - Now some astetics

jmd_forest · 11-07-2007, 07:14 AM

Finally got our 86 944 N/A running last weekend. Bought it for $500 after sitting with a broken clutch for 2 years. Replaced clutch, pp, and related bearings and seals (what a nightmare), starter, all water hoses, all belts, welded up the exhaust, "re-engineered" the worn out shifter, reinstalled missing trans carrier bolts, changed engine and transaxel oil. Shocks all around are on order .

Now for some astetics - the dash is pretty cracked up and the driver's seat is torn up a good bit. Since this is my son's first car, I'm trying to work on a budget here and don't want to actually replace the dash or seat but would like to recover them - nice but cheap (we've already go over $1000 tied up in the car). I've seen both the hard plastic shell dash cover and soft "carpet type" dash covers as well as some seat recover kits on ebay (and elsewhere). Has anyone used either of these and what are their impressions? Does anyone have any recommendations for dash or seat covers?

Thanks for your opinions

jmd_forest

toolboy62 · 11-07-2007, 07:19 AM

I have a set of seats with the Rennbay covers on them, they are fine although not quite as sturdy as factory. Only issue with them is they tend to be real sensitive to grease/oil; there's a spot on the driver's headrest after a couple of years (I have to admit to having driven the car after working on one of my other cars quite a few times, without an intervening shower...) I removed those seats only because the driver's side power adjuster did not work and I bought a set of power leather seats in working condition at a swap meet for $40 (seriously!)

nate

Aslet · 07:48 AM

For dash covers, the carpet look like ****, in my opinion, not even worth the money. What color interior is it too? I think you can get the plastic covers in black or brown, so you should be set no matter what color you have. They cost about $100 and should be good for what you are doing. I once asked a well known Porsche restorer about what I should do for the cracks (if i could just fill them) and he said the plastic cover will make it look like new and is you best bet... As far as seat covers, i would say get one made for 944 seats that is a nice and tight fit. I see ones that only cover the front of the seat (so the back just is partly covered) and fit really loose. You might as well put a blanket over your seat of you do that... It mainly depends on how much you want to spend... For $500-$600 you can get a vinyl recover kit that will make the seats look like new. Or for that range you could put a new after market seat in... I personally have never found a seat cover that I think looks that good, but for $100-$200 you can find a descent looking one.

These covers are from ***************:

What I mean by loose and bad looking:

Dave L · 11-07-2007, 08:42 AM

Keep an eye out for a used set of seat and also check into aftermarket seats. A dash cap is really the best way to cover the cracks unless you go all out and replace the whole dash

John_AZ · 11-07-2007, 10:06 AM

Congratulations. Congratulations....boy you have my respect. A $500 1986 944 and running and with just $1000 in repairs. Please tell me how you re-engineered the shifter????
You have read a few comments about the dash and seats. Go out and spend the BIG bucks at www.928leather.com.
Or wait for the next part-out.
Welcome.

John_AZ
1988 924S
1987 924S

jmd_forest · 11-07-2007, 11:48 AM

John_AZ

That's only about $500 in repairs (current) for a total of about $1000. All labor was ours only. Regarding the shifter, the shift pin had the typical hourglass shape. I used an angle grinder to grind off the weld at the backside of the "hourglass pin" and popped out the pin with a hammer. I then sized a bolt with a long unthreaded shaft the diameter of the shift rod hole to fit the hole to the depth of the shift rod, cut off the head, and welded it into the old hole . I used 2 hardened washers as spacers and a nut on the other end to keep the shift rod on (instead of the original circlip) and trimmed the excess threads off the bolt with a cutoff wheel.

The interior is black. I don't want to replace the whole dash because of cost. I had heard the dash caps warp and split within a year or so and was hoping someone would share their experience. With seat covers, Aslet showed a picture of what NOT to do, I wonder what brand the picture shows. Toolbot62 seems happy with the Rennbay seat covers so I'll check them out. I've even considered using a sheepskin cover. I had one in my old BMW and liked the feel but it is kinda cheezy. I'll look for used seats but most seem nearly as beatup as the current seats.

jmd_forest

Dtchy · 11-07-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi JMD,

Congrats with the purchase and getting the car running. Great job!

I had the same issues as you. Initially I bought the dash cap from Automotion...A couple of months in the CA heat and the thing was warped like crazy. I hardly put any silicone on it to hold it in place, so that wasn't the issue. It DID look good when it was just put on though. SO maybe in a cooler climate it will work.
For now, I'm living with a velour dash cover from Coverking. Not the best looking solution, but it works for me.
I have a brand new light brown dash cover for sale for an 86 and up 944, if you want it ($25).

On the seats, I recently purchased neoprene seat covers from Cal Trend. They look very nice and pretty much the best covers on the market...same as Wet Okole. They slip over your current seats and do not replace the current vinyl. They fit really snug and look great.

Hope this helps.

DMRK · 11-07-2007, 04:49 PM

Welcome!
Do you have any pics?
You can get sport seats off ebay for less than $300 a pair, Prob not the best but look cool.

Dtchy · 11-07-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMRK

Welcome!
Do you have any pics?
You can get sport seats off ebay for less than $300 a pair, Prob not the best but look cool.

Don't EVER save money on seats (just like tires, brakes, etc.)...Stick with OE, or buy a decent replacement (Recaro, Sparco), etc.. My 2 cents...

DMRK · 11-07-2007, 06:23 PM

I agree. I personally like the OE seats, Sport seats if you can find em would be great.
But they have $1000 total in the car. I dont think they want to spend another $1000-3000 for seats.

jmd_forest · 11-08-2007, 04:57 AM

Thanks to all for your opinions. I currently have no pictures but will post some once we finish the paint job. It needs some minor body work around the rear bumper (PO had a delivery van back into it) and a good paint prep and spray job that again, we'll do ourselves. ( I taught myself to paint over the years when I ran a hobby rebuilding insurance wrecks)

I'll check out the seat covers and sport seats as well as the dash covers mentioned above. Maybe I can get some good used sport seats off ebay or Craigslist.

Thanks again for the help.

jmd_forest

Gordon Rankin · 05:54 AM

I have used the carpet dash covers for about 15 years now. The only comments I get on them have been.." Your dash looks good"..Then I let them know it is a carpet dash cover. Most are amazed at how good it looks. You really need to be within a foot or so to see its a carpet type cover. It is black. , wont cost 100.00 if it needs replacing, doesn't crack in the sunlight, doesn't reflect heat or sunlight and generally looks pretty good. This one I transplanted from my last 924. It is about ten years and has shown no signs of aging/fading.
I personally dont care for the velour type.
My goal is to get a new plastic dash cover and install later model electrical seats with a good vinyl. I will still probably use my carpet dash cover to protect the dash. I'm trying to be practical.

Gordon Rankin · 11-08-2007, 05:54 AM

JMD.. Where are you located? City and state?

jmd_forest · 11-08-2007, 09:38 AM

Gordon,

I'm in Medford NJ. That;s South Jersey about 1/2 hour east of Philadelphia off Rt 70.

jmd_forest

Marcone · 11-09-2007, 08:30 PM

JMD... I know what its like rebuilding these cars.. theyre such fun..but lots to replace or fix.. awesome budget tho.. all that in such little money! More power to ya..!!

If you want i can help... i have seats for like 250 dollars for a pair if you would like.. i just want them out.. I also have rear ones too.. black or burgundy... Also have a pair you can have for like 180 slightly warn... but not torn or no holes..

Im just a few hours away i think.. near buffalo

Lemme know! and Good Luck

jmd_forest · 11-10-2007, 04:53 AM

I figure we've got a couple hundred $$ more to go before it's in serious reliable condition. I just ordered a DME temp and O2 sensors (runs rough when cold) plus we're discovering small problems (sunroof gears stripped/wiring butchered) as we move along and there's some minor body work and paint. My goal is to have less than $2K in a reliable, refurbished daily driver.

But this is a great father/son project for my son's first car. First, it a cool car, second, it's only a 4 cylinder, not particularly fast or powerful, third, it handles magnificent, fourth, the car is too small for him to haul around a gaggle of kids. Plus I'm hoping the work he has to put in helps him develop some pride of ownership rather than just getting it handed to him.

As for the seats, thanks for the offers, I'll keep them in mind. I'm currently planning to pick up a pair of used leather covers I located for $100. If they're no good, I'll be getting in touch.

jmd_foresr