DIY: Climate control delete panel

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

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I attempted a few different ways to do this and although this will not be the finished product that goes into the car, it will be very similar to it. I need a few tools I don't have handy at the moment. I will post pictures of the other attempt I made at the end of the thread and if you have any further questions on how I did it don't be afraid to ask. All I can say is buy extra parts because you WILL break something.
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Supplies:
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You will need some various implements for the dremel, a cut off wheel and a few different sanding choices are ideal.
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The first step is to take it apart. There are 4 attachment points to the panel itself (they vary from body style, some have a 6mm 6pt nut, some have a torx) in each corner. The back cover is held on by torx screw and come out pretty easily.
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I will leave you to gutting the panel itself. It is very straight forward, and all of you that attempt this will do it differently. At some point during this disassembly, you need to take a 2" hole saw and open up each hole for the gauge itself. Upon the test fit, it looked something like this:
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Ok, so a few things to note at this point. We need to open up the space below for a uniform panel, and you also need to take a sanding wheel on the dremel to open up the holes just a touch. The gauges need to be able to "float" somewhat in their respective homes for final fitment, and this ultimately depends on how you plan on attaching your gauges.
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Now on to making and filling the hole in the lower section. This is where I used a cut off wheel, there is no science to this so have some fun and cut away, it all gets painted later anyway. I used two pieces of 1/8" thick plexiglass to fill the gap as a solid base like so:
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Then I used an epoxy to cover the entire thing:
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EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

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This is obviously after some sanding, but you get the idea. An epoxy would be MUCH easier to get a nice even surface with and it will most likely be how I do my final version of this. For now, these pictures will have to do:
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And as an alternative, as mentioned at the beginning of the thread:
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I liked that version, but the gaps and going about filling them was simply more than it was worth to me!
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-Robert

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

*Post saved for future updates*

dysan · Feb 5, 2010

Looking good. Is there a reason you wanted them so low? Are you going to keep the factory radio or are you putting the climate controls up high now?

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

dysan said:
Looking good. Is there a reason you wanted them so low? Are you going to keep the factory radio or are you putting the climate controls up high now?

Good question. I'll be keeping a radio, and didn't want these particular gauges in my face. I'll have the high/low set on them so if somethings wrong there will be a light in my face. The climate control will be inside the center console, had to explain but easy to understand when you see it!

RedMosesSC · Feb 5, 2010

D00d, that looks incredible! Ive seena simlair set up and the climate controls were relocated to the arm rest compartment, where are you planning to relocate yours?

Subscribed!

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

This was my inspiration:

It will be similar as it will be in the console, but it will sit deeper in there as I would still like to be able to put some things in the console itself. I'm working on making a plug and play harness to extend the wires out of some of the spare parts, should work out pretty well :beer:

JeremyH · Feb 5, 2010

Thats pretty slick. Too far down to look and not the right angle for the gauge placement in my book but none the less looks awesome!

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

Lightblade said:
Thats pretty slick. Too far down to look and not the right angle for the gauge placement in my book but none the less looks awesome!

I've been told that before, works for what I want it to though. My experience with gauges is you only look at them when you think somethings wrong or want to learn about certain conditions. I can do a playback on these and as I stated earlier can set a warning light for high/low so I think I'll be happy with them.

Mr.CuBaN · Feb 5, 2010

bur now you cant put nothing in the center concel! looks good but i wouldnt do it lol. good job

RedMosesSC · Feb 5, 2010

Mr.CuBaN said:
bur now you cant put nothing in the center concel! looks good but i wouldnt do it lol. good job

BAH! center console convenience is small price to pay for a custom slick set up, thats what a Mustang is all about.

EagleStroker · Feb 5, 2010

EagleStroker said:
This was my inspiration:

It will be similar as it will be in the console, but it will sit deeper in there as I would still like to be able to put some things in the console itself. I'm working on making a plug and play harness to extend the wires out of some of the spare parts, should work out pretty well

Mr.CuBaN said:
bur now you cant put nothing in the center concel! looks good but i wouldnt do it lol. good job

dysan · Feb 5, 2010

Those look like Speedhut gauges right? How do you like them? I'm trying to decide what to go with. So far I know I'm going to get the dual interceptor set-up but I still will need an a/f gauge and a boost/vac gauge. I just don't know if I should get a digital a/f gauge or a dial type.

EagleStroker · Feb 6, 2010

dysan said:
Those look like Speedhut gauges right? How do you like them? I'm trying to decide what to go with. So far I know I'm going to get the dual interceptor set-up but I still will need an a/f gauge and a boost/vac gauge. I just don't know if I should get a digital a/f gauge or a dial type.

Sure are. Obviously they aren't in the car yet but I've hooked them to the 12v battery and played with them a little and they are definitely cool. And what's not to like about a lifetime warranty? I'm running a dual interceptor set up but I watch a few different temps on those, I'll end up with two more gauges (boost and A/F) by the time it's said and done. I would say digital/vs dial is personal preference honestly.

white05gt · Feb 6, 2010

That's a pretty slick setup, I really like the looks of those gauges too.

dysan · Feb 6, 2010

Dang...I didn't know that the speedhut gauges had a lifetime warranty. Guess I need to consider them a bit more.

Thanks & good luck with this...looks like it will be cool.

Preston951 · Feb 11, 2010

EagleStroker said:
This was my inspiration:

It will be similar as it will be in the console, but it will sit deeper in there as I would still like to be able to put some things in the console itself. I'm working on making a plug and play harness to extend the wires out of some of the spare parts, should work out pretty well

That looks so rad! That would be awesome if you could get the controls in the center console.

bigwilly43729 · Feb 12, 2010

I had been dying to do this for awhile, but relocating the A/C controls was more work than I wanted to invest. Plus, fiddling with them in the console while driving was very uncomfortable to me.

Not to piss on Eagle's idea, but for those with a single DIN unit that may not want to tackle something like this involved, this is still feasable and you can keep the A/C controls where they are. The view of the gauges is perfectly fine as well.

This is my old setup. I added a double DIN headunit, so I scrapped this and will be putting the gauges in the pillar eventually.

Can't wait to see the finished product. Takes some balls to hack up those wires; they are very short and don't have much slack in them for you to work with.

jha1223 · Feb 28, 2010

For me the climate control would be way inconvenient... BUT the look is just freaking awesome.

06Torch · Mar 2, 2010

I say this is the way to got too. No offense to OP. Seems to be more practical is all respects.

But thanks for the idea because I've been wondering what to do with the space that was left after my shitty radio install. Seems like I'm just a faceplate away from doing mine.

Gerardo

DIY: Climate control delete panel

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