Covering up a killswitch panel.

[PANDAemic]

So the previous owner used to use my car as a drift car, built to drift from top to bottom (this was also his wifes car to drift in). He had a killswitch installed when he was building the car but for some reason instead of installing the switch into the DIN he installed it into my dash where the center A/C vents would be located. Heres the kicker though, for some reason, instead of just removing the vent, he removed the vent and went BEYOND and decided to cut a huge chunk of my dash out and put a giant metal strip in place. When they sold me the car I didn't mind it as much (I don't have the switch anymore cause they converted it back to a Daily Driver) because I wanted to just buy a new dash and install it.

Thinking now, I want to do something more cost effective because I only have one really un-noticable crack on my dash and I thought it'd be a waste. So I decided I want to cover it. I was thinking maybe using a piece of wood and wrapping fabric to cover it and I'm not sure how I'd go about doing this. I was wondering if you guys can maybe come up with some ideas on how to cover it up. A giant metal slab with a whole in it is not very appealing to me...

I'll post some pictures of it tomorrow because this was a last minute post.

[PANDAemic]

Well like I said I would do, here's a pic of my interior.


Wondering if anybody can think of a way to cover it up.

[Hoffman5982]

Pic isn't showing up for me. If it's an s13 you should be able to find a butt load of them in the junkyards. It won't cost that much and it will be easier than trying to fix your dash. My .02 cents

[PANDAemic]

well, heres the direct link for the pic. I'm trying to do the most cost effective thing and this is also my daily so I don't know when I'll have time to get the new dash installed.
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/295/downloadas.jpg

[OutToWinPAHC]

Just get a new dash and center vent. Most guys who actually drift these ditch the dash in place for tube steel and caging.

[Hoffman5982]

Honestly, compared to the price of a dash from a junkyard, fixing that will probably take more time and money, and even then I guarantee you that it won't be perfect. I'm not judging your skills or anything, I'm just giving you my advice. You're in Cali, the junkyards are overflowing with s13s there

[PANDAemic]

How much would it cost to strip a dash and center vent from a pick your part or junkyard usually? And do you have to do it yourself cause I'm am pretty handicapped when it comes to taking apart and putting cars together.

[Hoffman5982]

Well every yard is different, but they're usually around the same price. According to the picknpull website, an entire dash assembly is 82 bucks. You would have to go to the yard with some tools and get it yourself. It does take a little time but is pretty straight forward. Most, if not all, of the bolts are 10mm. You'll need to remove all of the trim pieces around the gauge cluster, stereo, and ac controls. You'll be able to find them all yourself. The biggest ones to remember are the 2 under than windshield defrost vent which is the long vent going long the windshield. It's really not that hard. I can have my dash out in an hour or so

[PANDAemic]

I guess I'll browse around the classifieds a little to see if anybody is willing to sell thiers in a close by area. I'm not too confident in removing the dash myself because when I get down to it, I start to get a little more aggressive and from what I read, the Defrost vents are a little more on the fragile side and also I'm going to be pulling these parts out from a car thats close to 20 or so years old.

[Hoffman5982]

Well either way you're are going to have to pull the dash you have now out. Buying one off the forums will cost around 200 bucks. And yes, the vent is very fragile. Mine broke when I pulled my dash about 2 years. It annoys me to see it, but I never really notice it to be honest

[Dittoz7]

Spray paint it black?

[PANDAemic]

Spray paint is not an option for me....

I guess first things first I'll ask around then go to a junk yard and ask for some help from friends and then last resort is forums.

[Dittoz7]

Then a new dash is your only option.

[Hoffman5982]

It's really not hard at all to remove the dash. Just takes a little time. When I pulled mine I had never done anything more than change my oil

[PANDAemic]

Does anybody know of a good video on the web that can show me how to do it? I think seeing is better then reading. I was really hoping that buying a new dash could be reserved for a last resort...

[badbob2121]

its very easy, reading should be all you need..

and simply learn from removing your old dash... its not like you have to worry about damaging it..

[PANDAemic]

Very true...