Griffith Switch Panel (Wood Cracking!!!!)

[DavidM]

I suspect this is a common problem, but I do not want to pay my local TVR dealer £250 to replace the bit of cheap wood / plastic that the window switches are mounted on. It's a 99 V reg car. Can anyone tell me:

a. how I get the old panel off; and

b. where I can buy a new one / reconditioned one for more reasonable cash.

I also understand that the LEDs need to be replaced.

I am in the Bath area.

Also, has anyone found a good alternative - such as alloy, or is this an alloy over kill?

Many thanks in advance for all advice / feedback received.

[dudereed]

If interested, i'm getting both wooden trim dashes removed and having another set fabricated by a colleague in alluminum.(My dash is also breaking up)But if you want a quote or to look when done should be posting pics in a few weeks.

[andybe1]

Hey Dudereed,

I would be very interested to see these pics when done and learn how much it cost you, for some of the local TVR dealerships around here they quote around £600 for a fabricated dash/switch panel plus fitting and VAT (roughly £900 all in) So obviously I have been looking for a alternative to fit myself.
Only problem being is that each Griffith year/size has a completely different set up of panel and instrument size.

Anyway looking forward to seeing the pics

[dudereed]

Will have to fabricate each panel per car then in that case, mine should be finished in two weeks, so when done, will post pics. If anyones interested i have a website coming online soon which will sell these panels(fitted or Hand made and posted) along with other TVR spares. Watch this space....

[MrMidlife]

Have you guys seen the small ad in the latest "Sprint"? Hamilton Cars of Bristol are offering aluminium versions of the dash and heater panel for £445 + vat fitted and they're not far from you!

No connection etc etc.....

Graham

[sipow]

I have just ordered a sheet of Carbon Fibre (900x300mm)
1.4mm thickness,called CSC (carbon/glass fibre/carbon)
For a tidy sum of just £90 from a company called Fibre-lyte who make a lot of carbon fibre accesories for Motorbikes, Huggers/tax disc holders etc.

I'm planning to strip the vener(sp)(whats left of it) of the metal backing on my dash.
Then using it as a template, cut the Csc to the correct shape and then drill out for the gauge's etc.
And then gluing it straight back on to the metal backing.

They where very helpfull at Fibre-Lyte and recommend ways of cutting and drilling.

Any one interested can visit them on www.fibre-lyte.co.uk

Simon

[CleG]

Wedge in sheffield do a refurbished griff dash, I think it was about £90 .. but I can not comment on what they are like.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/shpub/Wedgecat1.html

>> Edited by CleG on Wednesday 15th May 10:01

[sipow]

CleG,

I dont Know if they still do as there was a problem with the company they used.
Also this was just to have the dash re-veneered,i thought my dash with the banana dials would look good in the carbon fibre look.

Simon

[DaveMorton_Eunos]

My new car has had the Wood dash and panels removed and had a metal dash finished in the body colour added.

It looks tidy. I can't post links to picies yet though as I'm not picking up till next weekend

[CleG]

cheers Simon,

Is your carbon one in yet .. make sure you get a piccy posted when you get chance, I would love to have a look.

[sipow]

CleG,

Still waiting for it to be delievered but will keep u updated and get some picks as soon as its in.

Simon

[sipow]

Have recieved the sheet of carbon today and it looks just the job,unfortunatly someone had stood on the corner of it when in transport and broken it but hopefully when i measure up this bit will be cut off otherwise it will be going back.

Wont start to take old dash out untill sunday nite as have busy wkend,end of season Football presentations friday,saturday and going to watch the WSB at silverstone on Sunday.

Will take a load of Photos of the whole process and get them on here as soon as poss.
Borrowed my brotherinlaws skill saw which i think will be just the job for cutting it out(after testing first of course).

Simon

[CleG]

Good luck, hope you dont have to send it back.