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Old 01-04-2005, 11:50 PM   #1
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**Fabricated Console**

Has anyone ever had to redo the front console? I'm presently re-building the console which holds the radio, heating & A/C controls. I also wanted to add a cb radio which I use when on the road to keep up on traffic situations. When I purchased our MH the heating controls in the panel were not fitted correctly. The radio had a lot to be desired as well.

The original face plate which held everything was made of wood and in time along with the experience of some of the previous owners, I found that the wood was split. It also had cut-out modifications which I found to be very un-appropriate. I removed the radio and an older type of cell phone along with many useless wires that went along with it. I then started to build a frame using some metal with several holes in it. I started bolting them together like an old erector set I once had as a kid. I’ve been working on this for almost a week and I‘m at the point now where I’m starting to construct a template to use in order to cut out a new face plate. I’m making it from a 1/8 inch thickness of aluminum. I plan to paint the finish maybe in a gloss black and hopefully when it’s done I’ll have a very solid console.
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Old 01-05-2005, 05:24 AM   #2
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There are some photos from awhile back of PeterH 's dash area where he did some metal fabrication and updated the look. If i find them before you do i will post the link.
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Old 01-05-2005, 06:10 AM   #3
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After the template....

You might find when making the template that making "absolutely" round holes of the appropriate diameter is very difficult -

When finished with the template, and making sure it is exactly what you want, you may want to consider taking the template and uncut aluminum to a machine shop with water or laser cutting equipment and let the shop do the actual final cutting....the water and laser holes are SO MUCH cleaner as compared to a mechanical or punch cut.....
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Old 01-05-2005, 06:37 AM   #4
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Alan, I think Silvertwinky is redoing his dash console. I only updated my 'entertainment center'. I misplaced all my 8-track tapes, so it was time for a new look.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ALANSD
There are some photos from awhile back of PeterH 's dash area where he did some metal fabrication and updated the look. If i find them before you do i will post the link.
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Old 01-05-2005, 07:52 AM   #5
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Mine didn't have a console but the dash that was there was a disaster, wires to nowhere, splices, a 6 outlet 120v power strip screwed to the dash and plugged into the dinette outlet, dash pad cracked everywhere, etc. Over the years the radio cut out has changed shape and size, I also wanted a CB, some decent gauges and a few other updates. It makes it a lot nicer.

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Old 01-05-2005, 12:44 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterH-79MH
Alan, I think Silvertwinky is redoing his dash console. I only updated my 'entertainment center'. I misplaced all my 8-track tapes, so it was time for a new look.
yeah thats it- i could not find the link. Still lookin good.
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Old 01-06-2005, 08:44 AM   #7
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Update dash

Has anyone updated or replaced the entire dash?
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Old 01-06-2005, 10:03 AM   #8
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Sure did. It was a lot of work but less than it would have been to repair what I had. Besides I got to put things where I wanted them.

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Old 01-07-2005, 02:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 74Argosy24MH
Sure did. It was a lot of work but less than it would have been to repair what I had. Besides I got to put things where I wanted them.

John
Interesting, that looks like it was quite a job! Have you got any photos you would like to share with us after the project was completed?
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Old 01-08-2005, 12:38 AM   #10
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The Argosy is my as time is available project. I have finished the chassis wiring but haven't gotten to upholstery so not much has changed there.

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Old 01-21-2005, 08:04 AM   #11
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Here is an up-dated photo of what I did if I can get it up-loaded. I know this isn't an A/S but hopefully I won't get "misunderestimated" for it.
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Old 01-29-2005, 01:40 PM   #12
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New Console

I have not tried to post a picture before so hopefully this has worked.
This is the completed console my son and I made for our MO. We used 3/4 inch oak planks which were 11 to 14 inches wide. These were saved from when we lived in Iowa over twenty years ago and had a friend with a saw mill. The second cut out on the console is for the XM radio. We left it on a long cord so we can pull it out and change stations then tuck the cord back in. The dog house was also covered with the same oak as well as the step up not shown.
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Old 01-29-2005, 04:54 PM   #13
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Old 01-30-2005, 07:11 AM   #14
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Did you trim the dogouse in wood? I see in your photo that it is not carpeted. How does that work out for you? I have some berber I considered using on the front area, but it would not adhere well to the doghouse angles and over the edges.
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Old 01-30-2005, 08:20 AM   #15
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The sides of the dog house are done with the oak but the top is covered with a berber carpet. This arrangement already has proved not to be the best. I will need to put some kind of trim to protect the carpet edges from unraveling. My first attempt at this was not succesful due to the odd angles of the dog house. I have some metal trim which I will try upon the return from our Florida trip. The benefit to the oak on the dog house is sound deadening, it is increadible how well that 3/4 inch oak deadened the sound.
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Old 01-30-2005, 08:32 AM   #16
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Dog House Covering

Quote:
Originally Posted by ALANSD
I have some berber I considered using on the front area, but it would not adhere well to the doghouse angles and over the edges.
This is a pic of the doghouse in the 345 after covering with carpet....

no glue......just a HUGE number of staples in each fold and edge.

The staples are not visible - just make sure you place the staples parallel to the stitch lines, and not across them.

I left the original "carpet" covering on the doghouse - gave it an extra layer of sound and heat insulation - also gave it an extra layer for the staples to bury in.
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Old 01-30-2005, 05:02 PM   #17
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We replaced the carpet on our doghouse and front driver passenger area with the same wood flooring as on the rest of the floor (except the rear bedroom we left carpeted for now). We trimmed out the doghouse with wood corner edge available at Lowe's or Home Depot, stained & sealed to go with the "flooring".

We also had to make some small panels to cover each side of the entertainment center out and clean up the look. For these I used lexan, painted black on the back side.

We also applied foil "bubble pack" insulation inside the engine compartment of the doghouse to cut down on heat and noise. Used self-stick insulation hangers which we cut down after installing the insulation.

Some the vertical surfaces of the doghouse we re-upolstered. We used some of the same fabric which we had used to re-upolster couch and other interior panels.

We were at the BOTH Mid-West Rallys held in June at Moraine View State Park in Central Illinois. You probably already saw most of the work we had done but I'll post some pictures when I go visit her next weekend at the storage lot.
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