All aboard the failboat!
After finishing my nephews' toolbox I got back to the 03s interior. It SUCKS.
Probably because I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground. Also because the Katzkin interiors' clips aren't as good as the OEMs.
Anyway. As mentioned I had the front seat back done, not hard. I figured out on the seat bottom that you hold these long plastic 'clips' in place and GENTLY tap them with a small hammer to snap them into place. But because of previously mentioned holes in the ground I had to undo the two on the side rails to re-place the leather. Mistake! They split lengthwise
Notice though that the OEMs came off without breaking, and out of curiosity I returned to them to see if I could break them - I can't.
As of right now I've been able to take the little clips off of a 1/2" metal socket holder strip, snap off one of the strip holding bends on one side, bend the other slightly in, and use those as clips. I have my doubts about long term holding power though. I'm heading to the hardware store later to see what I might be able to use.
I hope to not break crap when I do the drivers seat
Anyway got the carpet out and cleaned. I discovered that at a wash it yourself place even the high pressure rinse has some sort of detergent in it, too bad so sad. After 2 sunny days outside it's almost dry. Still has some staining on it but heck on it, saved $200, the car ain't perfect, and it'll mostly be covered by the heavy rubber mats going in.
Pulled the trim strip off the dash, the part that includes the bit that wraps around the climate control and says 'GRAND MARQUIS' in gold on fake wood. Mine was warped, got a good one off ebay. It was so far the simplest thing, to remove it just grap where it wraps around the pass side and gently pull, pop-pop-pop it comes off.
Stereo wiring placed. I ran the main power through the grommet on the pass side (thanks!) and pushed it through an unused channel on the sill to the back seat, super easy. The RCAs went from front center, under the rear seat heater duct, and back along the center tunnel per you guyses rec. The speaker wire ran the same way on the pass side till the rear seat. Neatly placed and duct taped down. The small gauge trigger wire and 2 extra lines for future rearview camera I just ran across the floor to the rear pass seat where they meet with the main power line and into the trunk.
Three of the 4 bolts holding the front of the fronts seats broke, because they just screw through a reinforced area of the floor pan and stick out under the car. I've got 1-1/2 of them out, stupid dull drill bits.
Need the car Friday. Of course. Hope to finish installing the new leather tonight, and drilling out the bolts. If done can get it all back together tomorrow night, at least the carpet and front seats. Optimistic? I would say so but don't really believe it'll happen anyway.
Then Friday evening off to the other nephews to work on his Supra, timing belt/water pump/complete tuneup. Should be done Saturday hopefully afternoon but could go much faster.
Thinking about the 03, it's hard to believe I'm almost caught up on it. I get this done, all it NEEDS then is the u-joints, then I can think about the AC and head unit. Strange thought, being 'done'.
Of course the S-10 is waiting in the wings.
Pete
After finishing my nephews' toolbox I got back to the 03s interior. It SUCKS.
Probably because I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground. Also because the Katzkin interiors' clips aren't as good as the OEMs.
Anyway. As mentioned I had the front seat back done, not hard. I figured out on the seat bottom that you hold these long plastic 'clips' in place and GENTLY tap them with a small hammer to snap them into place. But because of previously mentioned holes in the ground I had to undo the two on the side rails to re-place the leather. Mistake! They split lengthwise
Notice though that the OEMs came off without breaking, and out of curiosity I returned to them to see if I could break them - I can't.As of right now I've been able to take the little clips off of a 1/2" metal socket holder strip, snap off one of the strip holding bends on one side, bend the other slightly in, and use those as clips. I have my doubts about long term holding power though. I'm heading to the hardware store later to see what I might be able to use.
I hope to not break crap when I do the drivers seat
Anyway got the carpet out and cleaned. I discovered that at a wash it yourself place even the high pressure rinse has some sort of detergent in it, too bad so sad. After 2 sunny days outside it's almost dry. Still has some staining on it but heck on it, saved $200, the car ain't perfect, and it'll mostly be covered by the heavy rubber mats going in.
Pulled the trim strip off the dash, the part that includes the bit that wraps around the climate control and says 'GRAND MARQUIS' in gold on fake wood. Mine was warped, got a good one off ebay. It was so far the simplest thing, to remove it just grap where it wraps around the pass side and gently pull, pop-pop-pop it comes off.
Stereo wiring placed. I ran the main power through the grommet on the pass side (thanks!) and pushed it through an unused channel on the sill to the back seat, super easy. The RCAs went from front center, under the rear seat heater duct, and back along the center tunnel per you guyses rec. The speaker wire ran the same way on the pass side till the rear seat. Neatly placed and duct taped down. The small gauge trigger wire and 2 extra lines for future rearview camera I just ran across the floor to the rear pass seat where they meet with the main power line and into the trunk.
Three of the 4 bolts holding the front of the fronts seats broke, because they just screw through a reinforced area of the floor pan and stick out under the car. I've got 1-1/2 of them out, stupid dull drill bits.
Need the car Friday. Of course. Hope to finish installing the new leather tonight, and drilling out the bolts. If done can get it all back together tomorrow night, at least the carpet and front seats. Optimistic? I would say so but don't really believe it'll happen anyway.
Then Friday evening off to the other nephews to work on his Supra, timing belt/water pump/complete tuneup. Should be done Saturday hopefully afternoon but could go much faster.
Thinking about the 03, it's hard to believe I'm almost caught up on it. I get this done, all it NEEDS then is the u-joints, then I can think about the AC and head unit. Strange thought, being 'done'.
Of course the S-10 is waiting in the wings.
Pete
Almost forgot to bolt the shoulder belt to the floor before installing drivers' seat. Got a bolt in the front, plugged up the wiring, and wala! the seat worked (phew!). Finished install.
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