Suggestion needed on restoring dash, binnacle and center console.

[rothsean]

My binnacle and center console top are cracked and I have a small crack (about 1" long) in front of the binnacle on the dash.

Am I better of just letting DMCH recover all of those items or should I shop around and find those items separately?

What is the best for maintaining future value of the car?

Thanks for input!!

[thirdmanj]

My binnacle and center console top are cracked and I have a small crack (about 1" long) in front of the binnacle on the dash.

Am I better of just letting DMCH recover all of those items or should I shop around and find those items separately?

What is the best for maintaining future value of the car?

Thanks for input!!

Contact stevedmc. He's got what you need.

[stevedmc]

Contact stevedmc. He's got what you need.

I'm going to start working on binnacles as soon as Mike gets around to shipping me the binnacle I paid for almost a month ago. On a serious note, he had a little mix up due to movie and my core should be on the way. Hopefully I will be selling new binnacles in a few months.

[jfirios]

i took some ideas from proto deloreans design and rebuilt my center console making a new fiberglass center and arm rest. Giving it an updated look, while changing out to new window switches and touch switch for all my accessories. also increasing the height to install a new double din radio.

[rothsean]

What is a DIN radio? I have heard that a few times but I have no idea what it is. I want to convert mine back to the Craig radio, just waiting for a deal on a Craig.

[jawn101]

What is a DIN radio? I have heard that a few times but I have no idea what it is. I want to convert mine back to the Craig radio, just waiting for a deal on a Craig.

DIN is a standard dash unit. Double-DIN is the oversized double-height configuration that many OEMs use, as well as larger navigation-based standard units.

Have you posted a WTB for a Craig on the forum? I bet you'll find one.

[rothsean]

I have posted that, no luck yet. I will repost soon.

[Dangermouse]

What is a DIN radio? I have heard that a few times but I have no idea what it is. I want to convert mine back to the Craig radio, just waiting for a deal on a Craig.

btw, if yours is already a DIN radio (the type with the rectangular cut-out, to standard DIN dimensions), then you will need a new console piece for the older style post-and-knob Craig unit.

[ccurzio]

btw, if yours is already a DIN radio (the type with the rectangular cut-out, to standard DIN dimensions), then you will need a new console piece for the older style post-and-knob Craig unit.

This.

Can you even get the non-DIN console plate anymore?

[jawn101]

This.

Can you even get the non-DIN console plate anymore?

A lot of the vendors have take-off parts (and I think DMCH even lists them on their site) available. I know I have a really nice one on my shelf in case I ever go back to a "restoration" car.

Edit: Link (http://store.delorean.com/p-7792-rdo-vent-sw-mt-plt.aspx) - MAN they got expensive.

[rothsean]

12013 See this picture, is this what I need to change it back to a Craig? 12013

[jawn101]

12013 See this picture, is this what I need to change it back to a Craig? 12013

Yep, see my previous post for a link to the part on DMCH's site. The price may put you off...

[ccurzio]

MAN they got expensive.

:eek1:

[rothsean]

I just picked this piece up on Ebay for $119 total cost. Now I just need the radio.

[jawn101]

I just picked this piece up on Ebay for $119 total cost. Now I just need the radio.

Good find, congrats.

[rothsean]

Does anyone have a quick run down on what I have to remove to put this piece in place so I can put the Craig in? I just want an idea of what I will have to remove and if it is complex.

Thanks!

[jawn101]

Does anyone have a quick run down on what I have to remove to put this piece in place so I can put the Craig in? I just want an idea of what I will have to remove and if it is complex.

Thanks!

Removing the seats is optional but I cannot imagine doing this job without taking them out first. It's so easy I pretty much take them out for anything interior related. Then remove the HVAC knobs, A/C panel, the trim plate around the shifter (be careful with your clock if it's still working, you'll need to disconnect it and your rheostat) and the rear coin tray. Remove the 6 nuts holding the center console down as well as 2 phillips screws from behind the driver and passenger side kneepads. Remove your ashtray, window switches and defroster switch. Lift the console out, being careful not to damage any of the wire bundles on either side, the throttle cable or vacuum lines. Note how all of them were routed so you can put them back. Take lots of pictures. Be VERY careful not to whack your rearview mirror with it, you can break your windshield. Take the center console out of the car. Now you can reach behind the HVAC/audio panel to remove your old stereo, being careful when you reach back there and pull on wires that you don't damage any of the vacuum lines to your mode switch. Once the stereo is out, remove the mode switch, temperature control, fan switch, headlight switch and hazard switch as well as the HVAC panel lamps. Remove the bulbs first then push the sockets from the front so they slide out. Don't damage the plastic "holders" as they are not available anymore. Now you can remove the two screws holding the center stack to the dashboard, and the stack will come out. Reverse the process to install. Now is the BEST time to rebuild your mode switch as well. Also a great time to shampoo your carpets.

When you put the center stack in you will likely have some degree of difficulty reconnecting the center vents to the air box, as the little rubber boots that connect them can be floppy and hard to maneuver. I found it very helpful to chuck them in the freezer as soon as I had them out of the car to stiffen them up. Then reinstall them quickly after removing them from the freezer so they stay cold and stiff.

[rothsean]

Awesome email, thanks for the info! This will actually be good because I will be replacing my center console also.

I will be replacing my binnacle too, will any of this stuff have to come out for that or is none of it related?

[jawn101]

Awesome email, thanks for the info! This will actually be good because I will be replacing my center console also.

I will be replacing my binnacle too, will any of this stuff have to come out for that or is none of it related?

Nah, not really related. But having the seat out is a HUGE help for the binnacle too. Like I said, if you're doing anything in the interior that isn't driving, those seats should come out :)

[rothsean]

That is a good idea. What tools should I anticipate using for doing that? Do the A/C knobs and other knobs come off with allen wrenches?

[jawn101]

They just pull off. You need a 10mm socket, a #1 and a #2 Phillips. That should be it for the whole center console, depending on how your stereo is installed.

Binnacle uses small nuts and I don't remember what size. 8mm maybe?

[rothsean]

Cool, thanks.

[Stainless]

Binnacle uses small nuts and I don't remember what size. 8mm maybe?

7 mm

[sdg3205]

They just pull off. You need a 10mm socket, a #1 and a #2 Phillips. That should be it for the whole center console, depending on how your stereo is installed.

Binnacle uses small nuts and I don't remember what size. 8mm maybe?

Hey Jon,

Good summary.

He shouldn't have to remove his binnacle though, unless I missed something. I just had my console out to remove the Craig for repairs. The biggest pain in the butt is getting the radio bracket back into place on account of all the wires, vacuum tubes, those annoying rubber boots (I use the steve rice method of folding them back on themselves).

It's best to remove as much as possible, even the temperature control mechanism. You need a lot of space to remove the radio, and then to hold it up while you undo the screw that holds the rear bracket on to the dash.

It's annoying but quite straight forward. I've done it a number of times in about an hour at a leisurely pace with my seats in place.

[jawn101]

Hey Jon,

Good summary.

He shouldn't have to remove his binnacle though, unless I missed something. I just had my console out to remove the Craig for repairs. The biggest pain in the butt is getting the radio bracket back into place on account of all the wires, vacuum tubes, those annoying rubber boots (I use the steve rice method of folding them back on themselves).

It's best to remove as much as possible, even the temperature control mechanism. You need a lot of space to remove the radio, and then to hold it up while you undo the screw that holds the rear bracket on to the dash.

It's annoying but quite straight forward. I've done it a number of times in about an hour at a leisurely pace with my seats in place.

Yeah, as I said - the binnacle is unrelated. He just asked how that comes out as he wants to work on it as well.

And I did say the seats are optional to remove but my personal feeling on them is that they're 4 simple nuts and out they come. A good investment of 5 minutes in my book! :)

[vwdmc16]

Ugh this reminds me that I should take my Hvac panel apart again, I have an annoying buzz that pops up when the engine is at 2700rpm behind that panel, should do some house cleaning in there, the grounds are still a mess.