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Tips
Tips

'85 XJ6 Switch Panel/Trans Tunnel Console

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tony barnhill

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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So, is there a trick or easy way to remove the wood cover? I want to replace it with a black vinyl one.
 
Here's the easy way:

First disconnect battery.

remove the 5 screws holding the black plastic tray and chrome hinge stay under the center lid/arm rest, then you remove the chromed hinge screws and remove the lid. You will need to pry out the plastic catch at the front area of the plastic tray before you can pull the black plastic tray out.

remove the exterior screw at the top front center of the ski slope.

remove the shifter's handle by twisting both halves in opposite directions.

push out the back of the ski panel by sticking hand through opening in center console, you will see all the plugs and wires connected to each switch;

At this point it is best to mark each Plug to each switch before disconnecting anything, otherwise you will have a difficult time getting everything connected correctly.

I use stick-on colored dots, for example: One Red dot at the switch and one Red dot at the Plug, then I disconnect. The next switch and plug gets Yellow dots, and so on.

After you remove all the wiring, then you can raise the ski panel and pull it back and out from under the a/c radio panel.

Once the ski panel is out of the car, then you will have to remove each switch, one by one, and put them back in their corresponding slots in the black panel.

Installation is the reverse but, this is a good opportunity to check under the panel, and vacuum in there around the shifter. Also you might replace the Fiber Optic Lighting Bulb with an LED for real bright optic lighting. The black strands you see from the OptiCell fixture attached to the shifter, go to the headlights, ignition, and a/c switches and to the air direction blue and red arrows. If you cannot see them at night, your bulb is out.

Ex
 
Thank you very much...&, yep, I need a new bulb!
 
& if they're burned, they have to be replaced?
 
Its not all that complicated. The steps for removing the wood is as Exotexs stated, except you don't need to take the gear shift knob off, it'll slip right over it. Also, all the window switches are the same, so if you get one mixed up, you'll never know it. The only thing is to get the plugs on the inside in the same order, otherwise, you may be opening your back window when you want the front. If that happens, its just a matter of switching them around. I would wait on putting the switches in place until the panel is in place, otherwise you might bend the panel trying to clear the back of the switches.
 
Good idea on the switches - I can see it....right now I've got it off, the wood is gone & I'm cleaning it up for the vinyl...but, I'm thinking about putting a textured matt black paint on it that looks like vinyl (may experiment with that - I can always cover it with vinyl if it doesn't turn out right).
 
so, are you getting rid of the ashtrays? I've thought of that myself. I've seen articles about replacing them for cup holders, but I'm not fond of drinking while driving, I always seem to hit a bump and coffee or coke goes everywhere. The paint is a good idea, if your ashtray repair is good,otherwise the vinyl might be the better way. Post some pictures,would love to see the results. Keith
 
I'm just keeping it stock...will put up a photo when I'm finished - probably over the weekend.
 
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