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FDLWproject
04-01-2024, 12:20 PM
Just started on the Ron Francis install on my MK4 and I’m kind of stumped on the fuse box. See pictures below.

It says in the manual to attach to the 2x2 and 3/4 tubes. It doesn’t seem to fit very well for a few reasons though.

1 - it would hit the screws for the Wilwood clutch box mount (no big deal, I can use the clutch box bolt to attach the fuse box on that side)
2 - there is a lip on the fuse box that would seem to indicate it should attach down both sides (front to back), but those attachment points aren’t even. So it just hangs down on one side?
3 - any concerns on clearance for the clutch pedal or catching your foot?
4 - the screw holes where the fuse box attached to the fuse panel mount would seem to be impossible to use in the pictures below.

Am I overthinking it? Should I just shift it further to the outside and not worry about the outside lip of the fuse panel mount?

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JohnK
04-01-2024, 12:32 PM
Don't use the pedal box mounting screw to mount the fuse box. Just notch a relief in the fuse box panel for that screw. You want to shift it sideways a bit from where you're showing in your photo so that the outside edge is even with the 3/4" tube. The raised lip on the other side is intended to stiffen the panel, but it's still pretty floppy IMO, so I fabricated a small brace to hold the panel more rigidly.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153141&d=1631054628

FDLWproject
04-01-2024, 06:09 PM
Don't use the pedal box mounting screw to mount the fuse box. Just notch a relief in the fuse box panel for that screw. You want to shift it sideways a bit from where you're showing in your photo so that the outside edge is even with the 3/4" tube. The raised lip on the other side is intended to stiffen the panel, but it's still pretty floppy IMO, so I fabricated a small brace to hold the panel more rigidly.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153141&d=1631054628

Thanks! The brace you mentioned, is that what is on the upper left hand side of your picture (above the inertia relay)? Because otherwise that side would kind of dangle unattached

rvanstory
04-01-2024, 06:10 PM
My concern with the footbox location was future access to the master cylinders, especially the clutch. It was VERY cramped. So, on advice of others, I moved the fuse panel to passenger side behind instrument panel. (NOTE: I am not using a glove box). All wires work great from this side. I did have to fabricate a new mount, but gives bottom of panel stability too. Only wiring change was to run front wires down passenger side, then "de-pin" the front left and right blinker wires in the harness and switch with one another (left is now right, and right is now left). Here are some pics of the work in progress.

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JohnK
04-01-2024, 06:42 PM
Thanks! The brace you mentioned, is that what is on the upper left hand side of your picture (above the inertia relay)? Because otherwise that side would kind of dangle unattached

Yes, here's another view of it:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131245&d=1594054569

FDLWproject
04-01-2024, 09:14 PM
Thanks John - your advice worked out great. Once it was all bolted in it actually was stiffer than I anticipated. I’ll see if I need the extra mount but good to know that’s a viable solution.

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