1980 spider Restoration phase 2

[rodo]

Wow, right there with the other comments: amazing job, such detail! nice.

Wonder if you could talk a bit about how you handled the dash. I've got mine stripped (of vinyl) and I'm just not sure which direction I want to go. Did you also stitch it together? Glue it in? Thanks for any advice.

[DRUMMOND]

Hi Rodo
My dash was pretty beat up. top was badly cracked and the paper mash on the inside had white mold growing on it. That was my starting point. I dried it all out, opened up the cracks To make sure the body filler would have a good depth to solidify and have decent adhesion. Sanded it all level. Sealed the whole dash with fiberglass resin, two coats inside, this adds strength for the glove box and instrument binnacle.
I then made a pattern for the Vinyl and sewed it up this way. It is stapled onto the dash underneath so no glue. This is just my preference, if in the future I need repairs, it will come off fairly easy. Here are some photos

White mold




So far so good!

Let me know if you need more info

[DRUMMOND]

Update So far:

All electrical systems Finished and Working.
Total renovation of wiring loom, All terminals/wire labeled, Upgraded all lighting systems to LED, Added DRL's, Bluetooth amp, Automatic Lights, Added 2 new fuse boxes & Original renovated fuse box, Upgraded engine bay grounding stations, Added new ground station to trunk (mainly for Amp, Lights and Fuel Pump) Remote Charge pins for Battery, Automatic doors with poppers, Magnetic switch for trunk light (no longer have to have lights on to work), New driving Lights, All heavy draw equipment on Relays, New light switch, Pushbutton start.








Next up, brake fluid and Bleeding brakes

[RRoller123]

Fantastic! Really inspiring work.

[dinghyguy]

Hi Drummond,

As always, wow. I have to ask what the additions under the dash are for, it is not readily evident in the latest photos. Also, are there 4 lights behind the grill (one hidden by the cloth ) or only 3? Whose lights did you install?

And finally, when is the test drive? I hope there will be some video!

cheers
dinghyguy

[DRUMMOND]

thanks for the nice comments!

Dinghyguy

driving lights are: Pilot Performance Lighting PL-195C Pilot 4"
Main Lights are: Allisson automotive Fiat Spider H4 Headlamps with Two LED Circuits
Signal Lights are:GPPOWER Universal super thin 6-LED Amber
only two lights behind the grill. the left side holds the air filter, the right side is a Polished SS block off plate which holds the horn compressor and 4 relays
Additions under the dash: they are the old air conditioner vents, Just replaced the vents with aluminum plates as they were all broken. also helps hide all the wiring.

[AriK]

Yes +1! Truly inspiring progress. Keep up the great work!

[familyman]

Something I change when restoring Spiders is to move the wiring that is normally strapped to the top of the left foot well on the driver's side. I don't like that the carpet doesn't conform over this lump of wires. On one of my cars, I opened up the loom and got enough slack free to route the bundle of wires along the bottom of the foot well so it was less visible. On my current project, I plan to open up the bundle of wires, and get them to lay side-by-side so that they conform to the shape of the sheet metal. I may just glue them in place. Then the carpet will hide the wiring and lay tight over the shape of the sheet metal. Likewise, I have built up the lower portion of the floorboard on the passenger side (where the catalytic converter bumps up the floor board), so that the passenger floor board is flat, like on a pre-catalyic-converter Spider. It's amazing how these two changes improves the overall fit and finish of the carpets.

[DRUMMOND]

Landmark Day! All four wheels on the ground for the first time in 2 years. Not all pointing in the same direction Setting up suspension and alignment.

[nelsonj]

The paint looks gorgeous - can't wait to see it with doors and seats! Please keep positing, and congratulations on reaching this mile stone.

[DRUMMOND]

All alignment done!!

Some weird measurements though but base line is at least done. Never had to preload a car with weights before setting suspension that's a new one or old?






Now onto door internals. Install of electric puller, Greases and rehab of all pulleys. cables and motor/ plus speaker frame









Emergency trunk release install



Belly pan Fabrication Stainless Steel







Next up Tag holder & Oil Pan Protector

[DRUMMOND]

All alignment done!!

Some weird measurements though but base line is at least done. Never had to preload a car with weights before setting suspension that's a new one or old?






Now onto door internals. Install of electric puller, Greasing and rehab of all pulleys. cables and motor/ plus speaker frame









Emergency trunk release install



Belly pan Fabrication Stainless Steel







Next up Tag holder & Oil Pan Protector

[ORFORD2004]

Look like I won't be the only one with door lock

[DRUMMOND]

Orford2004 Yes now there is two

Completed door card Trim

[Gplayer]

So quick question, going a bit far back in your thread, how much sound absorbtion mat did you need to do the whole floor pan?