Taking it all out... (How?) Options

[6gcs3nz]

Hi guys

Firstly.. sorry for posting yet another interior query.

I've bought the materials/paints/spare plastic parts to practise on and have read a lot off this site on how to paint and take out our vents/inserts etc. Thank you all who have taken the time to write up How To's of these. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I still have a couple of questions for those who have done the entire centre console and the driver under side panel (Below the steering coloumn). So here are my questions :

1) How do you remove the driver under side panel (below the steering column)?

2) How do you remove the steering colomn and the plastic piece in the front of the counters ? (The piece that runs across over the steering coloumn and has the ignition chamber face)

3. How do you remove the entire centre panels? (The housing where the front ashtray and centre compartment is)

Are these pieces easy to remove? Would I need a jack-hammer?

Any help on these question GREATLY appreciated! Thank you all for making this site so damn addictive!!!

I'm going to start on the vents and the centre shift and stereo panels

[TRDCelicaST]

Most of those parts should come off when you take the screws out. Just look around the areas, I know the panel under the steering wheel has screws you can get to if you unsnap the piece that has your headlight dimmer knob on it. As for the other stuff, it should be the sam, just look for the screws, maybe move some carpet or take out a seat to get a better look.

[Hym3n]

Lotsa screws for the 'under steering wheel' piece. While you're at it though, I suggest also painting your kickpanel, it's fairly easy to remove while you're down there doing all that unscrewing. The center piece is easy. Pry out the piece around the shifter with flathead screwdriver. A white and a yellow connector, take those off (I had difficulties with the yellow, but just keep pulling and it'll come off). Remove that piece. Two screws keeping main piece on, remove them, then pry the piece from every angle. Remove that piece. Done. Most everything is just a matter of prying and unscrewing, but don't lose/drop your screws like I did, unless you don't mind having to go get replacements at home depot [wherever].

Good luck, and I wanna see pics when you're done!

-Brian

[Shortty]

On the same sort of line

In need to replace a couple of bulbs in my AC unit. But how the F**k do i get out. I can unscrew it all, but can't physically pull it out cos of cables at back, also cant work out how to get front cover of unit off.

Cheers bros

[aaronc222]

The AC controls are a pain because of the two wires connected to the back of the temp control. Can't really help you there, they are a pain in the @.
As for the center console, there are two 12mm bolts inside the 'pocket' part. Then two screws by the shifter, and two more on the bottom side(you'll have to work with the screwdriver because the seat will be in the way). Once you get the 4 screws and 2 bolts out, it just pulls right out. And don't forget to plug the ashtray light back in when you put it back together.

[JKceli]

Panel under the steering column is held in by 4 screws and 2 clips. The top two are under the long plastic ignition panel (that pops off with a little pulling, you just have to disconnect the harness on the dimmer). There is one visible screw at the bottom right corner and one underneath the fuse panel. After you take those screws out, it should pull out fairly easily.

[6gcs3nz]

Hey everyone...

First off,

I'd like to send out MASSIVE RESPECTS to TRDCelicaST, Hym3n, aaronc222 and JKceli for posting on this topic with your wicked advise.

Shortty, for taking the time to read this topic and get on board with mods.

A HUGE BOW DOWN to flipside97LTD for his most awesomest in the world (in my opinion anyway) interior paint job. You gave me the inspiration to get of my arse and say "Whoa! I want that!!"

Thank you to DJMC_Celica, BLINKYxMUNKEY, vangSTa_celica, ShoGun, audiophile24, acenova and flipside97LTD for posting comments on my profile so early in my time here.

...and my life debt to my girlfriend for spending the time with me, the whole of Sunday, to help with painting the interior.

If you can't already tell... I'm freakin' ecstatic!! I read up on the posts and decided to chuck myself in the deep end. Suprise, suprise!! Piece of p*ss!! It was sooo easy.

And I've posted pics of the progress... we're about 70% done. Just the doors to go really.

Again... all credit must go to flipside97LTD. He really did a cool job on his interior, and it is what I virtually did. His blue still looks way coolers

[aaronc222]

Looking good. Only thing I'd change would be a little darker blue and paint the door sills. If you use several layers of clear on the sills, they won't scuff too badly.

[6gcs3nz]

True... A darker blue would look good. I'll be installing a 10" black light on the ceiling of the car right in the middle of the rear passenger seats. The glow this blue radiates at night with the black light on is amazing! which is why I ended up with the sky blue. Also it comes out way light in the pictures 'cause of the flash.

Thanks for the advise on the door sills. The door panels and sills will be my next little project this coming weekend. I need to buy another can of clear coat... might buy 2.

[Hym3n]

I love it. Simply put, it looks excellent. Great job!

-Brian

[6gcs3nz]

Damn... can't wait 'till the weekend!! Hope the weather stays fine. Its freakin' lousy "four seasons in a day" here in Auckland NZ at the mo

The days at work are going sooooo slow too

[6gcs3nz]

Fanning out a bit from the topic... my next plan is to build a customer enclosure for subs. I'm thinking of 2x 10" and 1x12" - anyone know any links or guides for enclosure builds / materials required etc... ??

[6gcs3nz]

Did I say customer !???? CUSTOM - I meant CUSTOM.... damn - speaking to too many customers today. Brains gone porridge