Alright, I have done every but the dash on my interior conversion (maroon - > tan). My car looks pretty funny with a maroon dash. I'm gonna take two days off from work to do it, so that I give myself time to do it right. Is there anything I should look out for when I do it? Thanks!

RYan

 

Anyone?

 

i havent taken the maximas dash off yet. i think you would go in this order:

-remove plate around shifter
-remove bezel around stereo and climate control.
-remove section around steering wheel
-take out gauge cluster
-take out area where the stereo is and climate control
-take off glove box
-take off vents (maybe?)
-remove upper dash


remove wires and such as you go along. hope this gives you some idea and i hope im not forgetting anything.
MrGone

 

I have not taken the dash off my car before, but one thing I did notice was that the VIN plate is riveted to the top of the dash. To make this conversion complete, make sure you transfer the VIN plate from the old dash to the new dash. You will need to drill out the rivets from the old VIN plate and then rivet the VIN plate from your old dash to the tan dash.

I personally have not used a rivet gun before, so I don't know the details, but make sure you do this part very carefully.

 

Make sure you do this!!!!!!! You don't want a cop checking your Vin and thinking the car is stolen. They usualy won't believe you when you say Umm I changed the dash board

 

LMAO! I figured out how to take it off without causing any damage, so I don't think I have to worry about that. It's been a while since I originally posted the first post, but I still haven't done it. DO you think I can do it in 1 day?

 

If you are some what mechanicly inclined then yeah one day....My girlfriend would take two weeks so it all depends

 

wouldn't that only happen if the donor car was reported stolen? anyway, i think you could get it done in a day. all the small pieces should come off quick. i've taken them all off many times, everything up and including the gauges. the first time i didn't need any instructions, just take things out until you can't, then find the screw that's stopping you and take it out. the whole dash piece should be the hardest but i can't help there.
just a little help...there's a screw behind the ashtray, one up over the cig lighter i think...four holing in the column behind the steering wheel, 2 on each side (underneath), and about 4 holding in the panel in front of the gauges on the top part...hope this help, are you switching the steering wheel? that would probably be one of the harder parts too...good luck with it all though, and make sure you do unhook all the wires as you go, and make sure you get them all back in too obviously.

Patrick, does your girlfriend read this site? if so you won't be seeing her for 2 weeks

 

I ripped the dash out of the donor car in half an hour, but taking it out is the easy part. I think the hardest part will be the wireing and making sure it is back in the right place I have already done the steering wheel, but I think I'm gonna do it again, and get a black steering wheel

 

In a perfect world...Yes but I know in RI most Cops compare your registration to the VIN plate to see if they match. Eventualy it would get cleared up but it would be a hassle none the less

 

Alright, I'm done. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but I also had scans from the dealership repair book, and I have disassymbaled two Maxima dashes before (just never put it back together). Al together, it took me 2 1/2 hours. I'll have pictures up later tonight (I have to work now). Later!

Ryan