Finally some interior upgrades

[N PRGRES]

First off the list for upgrade is gauges. I have gone back and forth many times on these over the years between, having the stock ones redone, Dakota Digital, and Speedhut.  I pulled the trigger on the Speedhut gauges. There are a few different reasons.

The biggest hurdle was finding a place to redo the stock ones. Finding a resto shop for pre 1980 is easy but after that it’s more difficult. Yes, I could swap to a pre 80 gauge pack, but if I am doing that, why not just go for a more reliable aftermarket set? 

Second, I want cruise control back as I plan to eventually take the car on day trips. Aftermarket cruise sets rely on a VSS input, and the stock setup doesn’t allow for this. Speed hit does make a box to convert the signal but again, it seems like extra effort.

Third, I really dislike Dakota digital gauges. The font looks off to me. The rpm gauge works different and the clock is ugly. Am I being petty, probably, but since I have to look at them, I’ll get something I like.  Plus the DD cost is a bit over the top for my budget.

So that leads me to the Speedhuts. They aren’t 100% perfect but in my opinion, at least on looks, they are a fairly close match. Yes I’ll miss the clock, and my oil pressure and temp gauge will be on the sides of the gauge as opposed to the bottom, but these are things I can live with. 

The dual gauge will require some modifications to fit but Randy Combs will be handling that when he does the instrument panel.  The gauges are a 4” classic style. Black with white letters and the “antique” backlight option just to make it a bit easier on my eyes.

[5th T/A]

I have a 1980 with the 85MPH speedometer. Wouldn't mind something that goes a little higher and gages that read more accurately but I am hung up on keeping the original look. But I would still love to see how your gage upgrade turns out when you are finished! 

[stros]

I wouldn’t hesitate going for the Speedhut gauges either.  I installed 3 of them in my console.  I wish I’d also used them for my main gauges.  The lighting is so much better in them than the stock ones- it’s no comparison.

I replaced my broken speedometer with one of the Classic Industries repop ones just to still have the clock.  The clock adjustment needle is super brittle and I’m always nervous adjusting it.  I could’ve lived without the clock.

Totally agree with your assessment of Dakota vs Speedhut as well.  You can customize the Speedhut ones so they still look a bit retro.  Dakota reminded me a bit of the 1980s digital dashes but maybe they’ve improved recently.

[N PRGRES]

Some activity other than my others posts on here.  Speedhut Gauges arrive today, very excited about these.  They "resemble" the stock gauges as far as marking as such but they look a little different.

Taking the glass to the tint shop tomorrow.  I'll take the drivers side window and a spare rear window I have.  Once they are done, they are ready to reinstall.  I'll do the passenger side in a few weeks.  Rear will be limo tint and fronts will be 20%.

This isn't "interior" but I will also be swapping out the chrome door locks and handles to black.  I always thought these looked weird since there is very little chrome on car.  I'll post photos as I get them

[FormTA]

Can't wait to see how the dash comes out. Ya. I want to tint my windows as well. That rear glass is a doosy. I can barely get the lower trim screws in let alone apply tint with it installed.

[roadking77]

I think the tint guys have some new tricks, but the back window of my 77 was tinted when I got the car. Being from Fla I can understand why. They put the tint on in long thin strips from side to side on the window. It was peeling and dried up when I got it. Really a mess. Rather than trying to clean I just put in a new back window.

[N PRGRES]

Can't wait to see how the dash comes out. Ya. I want to tint my windows as well. That rear glass is a doosy. I can barely get the lower trim screws in let alone apply tint with it installed.

here is the trial fit. The center gauge is large and the panel will need trimmed. That will be done when the panel is sent out for refinishing.

[N PRGRES]

Got the drivers side window back in after pulling all the tracks and greasing them, as well as getting that window tinted. The sticky on window adjusting was a HUGE help.  Also included photos on the outside felt from firebird central. Very minor adjustments needed.

A had a boo boo on the tint while installing the window but it’s not enough to make me want to have it redone. I also need to replace the felts on the adjustment blocks on the top of the doors.

I start 12 hour shifts tomorrow for 10 days so the door panels will have to wait.  The dash bezel also is boxed up and heading to Randy. 

[N PRGRES]

Just got some photos on the headrest material for the new seats. Loving it.

[N PRGRES]

Some of the updates on the seats

[FormTA]

Who is making the seat covers for you? They look nice.

[N PRGRES]

Those are cerillo seats going in. Replacing them with a more modern and reclining seat was not much more than getting all the parts to rebuild mine.

[N PRGRES]

Seats are ready to ship!

[5th T/A]

Seats sure look like a step up. I am curious to hear your driving impressions. They look like they would do a much better job holding in place around corners.

[N PRGRES]

Thanks. Sadly I realized from another photo that the bird in the drivers seat isn’t level. They are having to remake the back, so looks like a little longer wait

[N PRGRES]

They got the bird level now. Much better.

[tinpusher]

Very sharp , I really like the use of the two different fabrics.

[roadking77]

Yes, those look fantastic. x2 on the combination of materials.

[N PRGRES]

My goal was to appear as close to "stock" as possible.  The original plan was to use the same fabrics as the 81, but the cost that SMS wanted for the material was way over my budget, so I went this route.  The seats also use a dark thread to pull in the dark maroon dash and center console. 

[TATurbo]

Those seats look great!  I went through the same thing with SMS and the NOS 1981 fabric.  I wanted to redo the stock 'Custom' interior which had a one year only pattern in '81.  But, the price was outrageous, and when I talked to a couple of places about making the seats they both suggested 40 year old NOS material might be hit or miss regarding durability.  One of the places said they had issues with NOS stuff from SMS in the past.  SMS got really offended and miffed when I asked about the quality of the material. They guy literally upped the price 20% (from the beginning of the phone call and quoted price on samples) and told me to take it or leave it.
I left it..and got full leather (skirts and all) seat covers in the original style for much less. 

I saw 5th TA mention the 85 MPH Speedo wanting a higher speedo w/original style font. 
I had the same desire...Plus I wanted the tach changed to 6500 RPM red-line to match the LS1.  I got my stock gauges refaced/re-calibrated by AutoInstruments.  It required a compromise though...They had to use an early 2nd gen font.  I like that this allowed me to retain the Check Engine light too.

1-IMG_3985 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

Sorry for the hijack...Just wanted to mention that AutoInstruments in Virginia might be able to come up with something for 5th TA.

Anyway...The interior looks amazing and I like the new gauges N PRGRES...I hope you get to spend a lot of miles enjoying them! Looks sweet!

[N PRGRES]

No worries on the hijack!  I might have done that route but didn’t know about them.  Oh well I am excited to get the new gauges in and do like the digital display on the speed huts. BTW I love your car and the fact you drive it. How did you do the brake light on the back window?

The guy that runs SMS is a jack wagon. I have spoken to him and literally said, your attitude killed any hope of this sale.

[N PRGRES]

Wish I had something fun to report but it's been nothing but tinkering.  Replacing door weather striping, tightening bolts, flushing the brake lines....

I did order new 3.5 inch Kicker speakers for the dash.  I'll put bass blockers on them to drown out the deep bass and use them as a tweeter and mid range fill. 

My seats are in but you'll have to wait till they are installed for a good photo =)

[N PRGRES]

So I have the driver seat sitting in position. As suspected the adaptor plate is going to take a bit of work to make work. The bracket that holds the seat to the adaptor plate is too long and causing the seats to sit way too high. I didn’t have a ton of time play with it so I’ll get more photos tonight. Overall though I LOVE the seats.

[stros]

I did order new 3.5 inch Kicker speakers for the dash.  I'll put bass blockers on them to drown out the deep bass and use them as a tweeter and mid range fill. 

I put 4 inch Infinity speakers in the dash recently too and have been trying to figure out what to set the crossover at.  Let me know if you’re happy with the bass blockers and what frequency you go with.  So far I’ve cut them off at 150hz and I think it sounds pretty decent.

[N PRGRES]

Some seat install photos.  The passenger seat went in easily with no modifications to the adaptor plate brackets like I'll need to make to the driver side.  Here are my impressions

Seats - I LOVE them.  They are comfortable, fit well and I feel secure in them.  I got the material color about as close as I think possible, without using the stock fabric.  Well made and made in America.

Adaptor plates - Not so impressed.  They fit well enough and while I have to do some modifications, it's not bad as the brackets that attach to the seat are universal.  The fact they included the wrong nuts for the bolts was also annoying.  Also it causes the seat to sit too high and too far forward.  It's not crazy high but enough to notice.  If I wasn't 6'1" it probably wouldnt be a bit deal.  Over the winter I am going to work with my neighbor to fabricate something to get the seat back where it belongs, but for now I'll live with it.

[N PRGRES]

More pics