Experiences installing newer carbon fiber dash on completed MKIII

[Richard King]

I recently purchased an MKIII that was very well built in 2007. I am interested in replacing the original dash that has a vinyl covering with one of FFR's carbon fiber units.
Is this change-over very difficult? Any tips from those that have made this swap on a previously completed car would be greatly appreciated!
I've seen one youtube video that gives the impression that aligning the steering column was the most challenging aspect.

[canuck1]

I did it (twice). I used the bare aluminum dash to hold my gauges and switches before paint, then removed it to install my (first generation) CF dash from FFR. I did it again when I swapped the MK III body with a MK IV. Mine is different than the dash FFR has sold more recently (no glovebox or lower/middle extension), so I won't pretend I can be specific about the newer model's particularities.

Do you know if the new CF dash is properly sealed and ready to see the elements? Ken Pike (Streetrodpainter) painted my car and when I showed him the dash, he said I would need to apply clear epoxy(?) sealer over the exposed surface or it wouldn't look very nice pretty soon. Maybe the newer versions are supplied more ready to go than what I have. Ken sealed it for me at a reasonable cost.

I'm sure you know to make any cutouts outside in the open and to wear a respirator so you don't inhale or spread the respirable contaminants. Other than that I can tell you to make a plan to protect it through every stage of preparation and installation. Whether it's installing switches (be careful using tools to tighten mounting nuts on the exposed surface) or putting the dash in place (the rolled body edge is bad!).

Make sure you've thought it out and have applied protective coverings to any areas that might be vulnerable. I covered the whole thing with construction paper that I removed after installation (I'm sure there are better methods). How much of a job it turns out to be will have plenty to do with what you see up close once you have the original dash off. If you don't need to clean up a messy dash wiring job or rewire new switches, then your task is pretty straightforward.

Sean

[Richard King]

I did it (twice). I used the bare aluminum dash to hold my gauges and switches before paint, then removed it to install my (first generation) CF dash from FFR. I did it again when I swapped the MK III body with a MK IV. Mine is different than the dash FFR has sold more recently (no glovebox or lower/middle extension), so I won't pretend I can be specific about the newer model's particularities.

Do you know if the new CF dash is properly sealed and ready to see the elements? Ken Pike (Streetrodpainter) painted my car and when I showed him the dash, he said I would need to apply clear epoxy(?) sealer over the exposed surface or it wouldn't look very nice pretty soon. Maybe the newer versions are supplied more ready to go than what I have. Ken sealed it for me at a reasonable cost.

I'm sure you know to make any cutouts outside in the open and to wear a respirator so you don't inhale or spread the respirable contaminants. Other than that I can tell you to make a plan to protect it through every stage of preparation and installation. Whether it's installing switches (be careful using tools to tighten mounting nuts on the exposed surface) or putting the dash in place (the rolled body edge is bad!).

Make sure you've thought it out and have applied protective coverings to any areas that might be vulnerable. I covered the whole thing with construction paper that I removed after installation (I'm sure there are better methods). How much of a job it turns out to be will have plenty to do with what you see up close once you have the original dash off. If you don't need to clean up a messy dash wiring job or rewire new switches, then your task is pretty straightforward.

Sean

Thanks for the tips, Sean! Very helpful.
RK

[Wingman06]

I have one in the box, includes the glovebox. PM Me.