Re-fitting vinyl on center upper console bj8

[Danne]

Hi!

the vinyl on the center upper console, where the switches and fan controls are, is missing on my car. Is there an easy way to fit new vinyl on it or does the whole dashboard have to be removed and disassembled?

Cheers,
Danne

 

[RAC68]

Hi Danne,

Although it has been quite awhile since I recovered my BJ8, the issue is one of fitting the vinyl under the wood dash panels, around the air controls opening and behind the switch plate. To install the vinyl, I believe you must remove the vertical console, and substantially loosen the screws anchoring both wood panels (instrument and glove box) sufficiently to conveniently tuck the vinyl behind. Since the cold-air/heater controls are mounted from behind, they will have to be withdrawn far enough to allow tucking of the vinyl through and around their dash openings and glued behind. The dash switch bar must be dismounted and each switch withdrawn for the vinyl to be glued. New switch openings are then relieved before the remounting of the switches and their chrome fascia. if my memory serves well, the vinyl is then tucked behind both dash wood panels and the panels secured. The bottom end of the vinyl is wrapped around the lower portion of the center panel and glued behind.

Although, I don't believe this to be an overly difficult job, it will need a fair amount of dash dismantling and pushing ... which always tends to stop something from working. Be careful that you turn off the battery switch and/or remove the battery before starting and that you purchase a contact cement that is formulated for vinyl (over time, many contact cements will be affected by the plasticizer that makes vinyl flexible and become a sticky mess with no adherence qualities).

Hope this helped and I expect others will make some guiding comments.

Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[Danne]

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your input on this! Seems that it should be possible then, maybe even for me and my eleven fingers I think you are right about the things that will tend stop working... thank you for your advice.

/Danne

 

[Jeepster]

The worst part is making the new vinyl fit around the circular cut outs for the push/ pull knobs.
You will have to cut small 'V' shapes and fold them around the back to stick down.