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TR4/4A TR4A Switch Plinth Replacement

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RJS

RJS

Jedi Warrior
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Hi
So, while the gearbox and the H dash support are out, I thought it a good opportunity to replace the shabby switch plinth with the new one from TRF which has been sitting in my basement for the last 15 years. Any ideas what secures the switch plinth in the car and how to remove it?

There are the two tiny Phillips head screws. And then I imagine the four switch bezels. Do I need to loosen the dash to release the upper lip of the plinth? Anything further? The new switch plinth has no obvious points of attachment on it.

Thanks

Bob
 
After some reading on the internet and poking around under the dash shows there is a bracket on the RH side of the plinth which bolts to the dash. I think unbolting that with the other items in my post immediately above will allow the plinth to be carefully extracted.

Interestingly, the new one is lacking that bracket. See photo. Not sure how much that really matters.

Bob
 

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  • TR4A Switch Plinth.jpg
    TR4A Switch Plinth.jpg
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I keep my old brackets just in case. I was actually able to scrape away some foam on the new TRF plinth, at the rear, and add my bracket to it in the rear, but it was a real hassle and I barely had “bite” for the bezel fasteners. On my next new plinth install, I didn’t bother trying to use my bracket with that side bolt. Not only did I feel it was unnecessary, but my dash did not appear to have a connecting arm for the bolt. I hope I haven’t confused things yet, but that’s the case. One with, one without. More importantly for your question, however—without that little side bolt for security, I never pull my choke without first supporting the plinth. I just don’t fully trust those two sheet metal screws for strength, and the choke pull, as you surely know, can be a real tug. As for working with the new plinth, there is some method there. I usually have to pry carefully, because the new plinth lip does tuck up under the bottom of the dash a slight bit.
 
Right, thanks - now I get it. Makes perfect sense. The bracket on the right hand side is there b/c the choke pull is such a hard tug. Given that, I will investigate how to remove the old bracket. How did you fix the old bracket to the new TRF switch plinth?
Bob
 
RJS said:
Right, thanks - now I get it. Makes perfect sense. The bracket on the right hand side is there b/c the choke pull is such a hard tug. Given that, I will investigate how to remove the old bracket. How did you fix the old bracket to the new TRF switch plinth?
Bob
Click to expand...
I just put the old back plate on the back side of the new plinth. It fit perfectly after I scraped away some excess foam on the new plinth. The switch controls, buttons and sheet metal screws hold it. There’s no independent securing detail.

(On my other car for some crazy reason there is no piece for the bolt through that side arm, so I didn’t even try to use the old back plate)
 
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