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SMOKED GAUGE COVERS
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This was my first of many interior upgrades to update the 80's look of the car.
Well GM had graced the 2.8Ls with an optional gauge packages. Of course, the previous owner was an idiot and got the idiot lights instead of the gauges. First off the idiot light small holes looked ridiculous next to the 2 larger gauges for the speedometer and Gas.
Why does one need a full size gas gauge anyway?
So I decided to do what I could for the stock idiots lights look. I decided I would go with a smoked Plexiglas look�
So everyone asks if I have a digital dash when they see it.
Well not yet!
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HOW
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I got a sheet of smoked Plexiglas from Home Depot. Then it was time to cut up the dash�s gauge panel. I got another dash panel like mine from a junkyard I planned my look and began to cut with a cut off Wheel on a Dremel. I simply cut the basic shape I wanted. I used the gauges as the guides and connected the dots so to speak. I attempted to smooth out the factory lines and eliminate the circles, w/o moving so much material that I could not attach the Plexiglas behind the lip.
Well once I got the shape I was happy with, I went back with a Dremel grinding stone and cleaned everything up. I then took my Plexiglas and measured out how much I would need. I cut its shape with the cut off wheel and cleaned it up with the stone.
To attach the Plexiglas, I got some 3m double sided tape and lined the backside of the dash panel. Then I simply laid the Plexiglas on the Tape and pressed down firmly. The Plexi stuck just fine. Once it stuck I went back with some clear bonding glue and lined the edges to ensure the heat would not cause the tape to loosen and release.
Then I had to trim the face to hide the cut dash panel edges. I chose some red Satin cord from Michael�s Hobby store I got some glue and glued the cord around the cut edges to give it a professional finished look!
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FUNCTION
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As far as how it works for me�
Well in the day, if there is bright sunlight, I do get some glare and the gauge is hard to read. I have to turn on the parking lights some times to see. It really does not bother me that much. At night it is awesome. You can�t even tell it is there when the lights are on!
Here are some pics with the dash out of the car to show how little tint there is.
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KITT LIGHT
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Another item I flushed into the dash when I did my smoke gauge covers...
I flush mounted my KITT light controller box
I had to take the whole dash out and test fit the box into the back of the dash.
Then I marked where the LEDs would sit. I slowly dremeled out a slot in the factory dash for them to come out.
They now indicate what the
KITT light on the front of the car is doing.
The KITT light is turned on by the switches in the factory blank on the driver�s side by the steering wheel...
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SMOKED AC COVER
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When I did the smoked gauge cover I used some leftovers for another item...
The AC control unit. I got so sick of its 80s looks, that I decided on this cover.
I had a spare unit from the junk yard. I took off its 3 knobs. I slowly dremeled out a slot in the the Plexiglas so I could fit it over the AC control arms. Then I marked how far I need to go on the Plexiglas. Then I took it off and began to route out the need slot with my cut off wheel. Then I began on the round hole for the speed control knob. I marked a general outline and cut out this area. Then I kept test fitting it till it was dead on. It looked like it was actually made for the car when I was done!
With the knobs painted black to get rid of the trace of grey
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HOME PAGE
Follow this link to additional information on the car not found on this site!
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DIRECTORY FOR RAIF'S INTERIOR SITE
01 Site Overview
02 Power Windows and Door locks
03 Miscellaneous Trim Pieces
04 Smoked Plexiglas Covers, Flush Mounted KITT Light Box <<<
05 Carbon Fiber
06 Carpet Swap
07 Overhead Console
08 Red & Black Seats
09 Seat Cover installation
10 Red & Black Door Panels
11 Red & Black Rear Cargo Panels
12 Kick Panels &Lower Dash Panels
13 Car Motor Sports Mats and T-Top bag
14 Neon
15 Center Console Repair
16 Painted Center Console
17 Dash Repaint
18 Repainted Gauge Cluster
19 Autometer Pillar Pod
20 Seatbelts
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