[Lumps!] Wooden Dashboard?

Lumps
1

Greetings,

I am in the process of converting my '79 XJS dash environment to a suite of
VDO gauges. I have made a dash template out of Brazilian Rosewood for the
gauges. I also have an aluminum template (to be painted black).

I have purchased a Rosewood steering wheel and shift knob. (fluffy I know!)
However I am struggling with the pure interior of stock '79 black and
brushed alum.

I cannot decide weather to change the dash to wood or keep it pure (black).

Any thought from the list.

Keith

2

Keith,

I guess it’s decided by the look you want and what you have to work with. I
like the wood myself.

In my case, on a 85 XJ-S, the interior was too bad in most areas to repair.
I wanted the Jag look at least on the dash/door area. I ended up gutting
everything aside from the console, dash, top half of the doors and the top
third section of the rear sides. I used cannarywood on the dash (including a
fascia around the tech and speedo), console and doors. If you find that
wood’s knotted sections it has some wonderful colors to it. I went with a 12
inch charcoal Gant “D” shaped steering wheel.

The B&M shifter I have doesn’t line up with the deck of the console. So I am
“re-sculpting” that now. I pulled the trip computer and made a plate for
VDO’s there and moved the switches to be on the console. I found a couple
light mods that worked well. For the switched, use an 11009. It’s brighter,
you can actually see the color bars change on the switch and won’t melt the
plastic. Bypass the dash dimmer and up grade the opticell bulb to a 1893.

My back seat and sides were destroyed ( I got a ridiculous price on the car
though). The front seats were ripped and the bottoms blown out. I grabbed
some charcoal Pro Seats and mounting from Summit, solid back. The mount kit
fit perfect and the seats are solid. The balance was all carpeted, including
part of the doors that were carpeted. The only thing I’m adding after that
is a roll cage. Mostly for show and to help support the seat. The back will
be stereo and storage.

Stefan----- Original Message -----
From: “Keith Morris” keithm@olypen.com
To: lumps@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2001 11:36 AM
Subject: [Lumps!] Wooden Dashboard?

Greetings,

I am in the process of converting my '79 XJS dash environment to a suite
of
VDO gauges. I have made a dash template out of Brazilian Rosewood for the
gauges. I also have an aluminum template (to be painted black).

I have purchased a Rosewood steering wheel and shift knob. (fluffy I
know!)
However I am struggling with the pure interior of stock '79 black and
brushed alum.

I cannot decide weather to change the dash to wood or keep it pure
(black).

Any thought from the list.

Keith