I'm considering replacing the standard dash trim with the big checkered dashboard trim. Has anyone done this and if so, how difficult is it to remove the existing trim?

I'm considering ordering these: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=5277

 

From what I've read they are very doable. There's a video floating around that shows someone taking off the driver side trim.

 

I would be interested in seeing how this done for the cover of the secret door. It has two screws but must be held in place by other means. The video I have seen does not directly address this cover. It does show how to remove the cover in front of the driver

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-retrofit.html

This thread has a PDF titled "How Too" that can help you with trim removal. If you can get past the horrific spelling, it is pretty useful.

 

The posted link by c615586 is for the part BELOW what the OP was thinking of modding. I believe minimotoringgraphics have some that you could purchase and just adhere to while the parts are still installed. Might want to check that route.

 

I used the pdf to switch out my colorline, but you can use it to remove the trim pieces as well.

 

Thanks for the replies!

I read the pdf file twice. Most of it applies to changing out to chrome line pieces. Fortunately for me, I'm ordering mine with the chrome line. Those instructions are be bit too intimidating.

The pdf file doesn't go into removing the passenger side trim, but I guess it only involves removing some screws on the secret compartment hinge. It's this part that scares me: "Then you will remove the Drivers side dash panel, except you pull the steering wheel all the way down so its out of the way. Then pull on both sides of the dash panel and it will come out. I'ts held in with a couple of clips, so just pull hard. Then to get it out I had to flip it upside down and then bring it up while tilting the top forward over the wheel." I don't quite get this part. I'd hate to pull too hard and break something.

 

It isn't intimidating. The pdf is just very poorly written.

The section you are referring to could have been written as follows:

"To remove the driver's side panel, adjust the steering wheel to its lowest position. Pull up on both sides of the dash panel from the bottom edge. Rotate the piece to get it out from behind the wheel."

I'm not sure how to get the passenger side panel/secret compartment out, but I'm sure someone on the forum has done it.

 

I went to the garage and tried removing the driver's side panel but no luck. I tried pulling it out with my thumbs on the lower inside part (steering wheel housing) and separately with the tips of my fingers on the bottom edge and it wouldn't budge. It feels quite secure in there.

On the passenger side, it's looks fairly easy to remove that panel. There are four screws holding it from behind the secret compartment door.

Btw, I checked out the stickers on minimotoringgraphics.com, but those are only for the passenger side.

 

The trim piece over the secret door comes out by first removing the two screws that sit within a rectangle on the black bottom piece. The rectangle holds the door mechanism to the trim piece. The trim piece is consists of the upper finished piece and most of the lower black piece. If you look carefully at the top edge on the rectangle you will see three small slots with tabs inside. Using a screwdriver you can pop the tabs and remove the trim piece. Using the screwdriver I scratched the plastic a bit and would suggest using a plastic tool if possible.