Dash-n-Rad!

No where near as rad as it sounds.

Started in on gutting my dashboard.

From Z

There was a ton of shitty wiring from the stereo the PO installed, and a bunch of ventilation ducts that I no longer needed so I had to pull all of that shit out.

From Z

These gauges are all getting replaced but I need to note what wires in the harness go to what.

From Z

I'm keeping all of this mounting hardware in case it is useful in mounting my after market gauges. I am 90% sure I'm going with AutoMeter Pro Comps.

From Z

Fuse box and mess of wires.

From Z

The Spedo and Tach were easy enough, although they do have to be removed from the front of the dash. Just a couple of mechanical attachments and wires, easy peasy. I do plan on keeping my Spedo and Odo but I don't think I'm going to run them. I'm not sure since it is the original odo and everything.

From Z

Bent back a series of metal cable routing doohickys and was able to draw the dash harness out from the side.

From Z

It will be much easier to install a custom gauge setup in an empty dash.

From Z

Not too sure what I'm going to do about this glove box though. I just this minute realized that it is literally made out of cardboard.

From Z

Once that was done, I drained my radiator.

From Z

I had a shitload of old hoses. Heater hoses with the weave wrap (ick), deteriorated rubber radiator hoses etc.

From Z

Four hose clamps and 12mm bolts later the radiator was out and the rubber was in the bushes.

From Z

Beast.

From Z

Gutted...

So at long last I am doing what every noble 240Z owner must do at some point in their cars life.

Gutting the f*cker.

Here are some old pics of the floors with the sound deadener/rust hider.

Driver:

From Z

Pass:

From Z

Being completely ignorant about everything Z, at the time I though they looked great!

Knowing better now, here is what my floors ACTUALLY look like.

Driver:

From Z

Pass:

From Z

I picked up a pretty hardcore metal brush and some stripper hoping I can get down to bare metal with that and some sand paper. Then I plan to coat with POR-15 which everyone says is the best for stopping rust.



Then I decided to gut the interior. I cant really be 100% sure im getting all of the rust if I cant see everything 100%. So....

I drop the steering shaft and start unplugging stuff.

From Z

From Z

The minute I started finding wires that were connected but were completely different colors, I realized if I kept going without marking them somehow, I would never get this bitch back together.

So I went out to Lowe's and picked up a set of colored electrical tape.

From Z

Now if there are two wires that connect, but it's not completely obvious, I tag both ends with the same colored electrical tape so I can tell what goes where.

Cut out my widshield. lol.

From Z

Kind of a bitch to get out.

From Z

Now it is much easier to get at the dashboard.

One thing I want to mention to anyone who does this.

From Z

Label your screws. I have pulled so many little fasteners and brackets and crap out of this piece of shit. If I didn't have these bags all organized and labeled I'd be absolutely F*CKED!


I continue tagging wires and disconnecting.

From Z

And eventually I was able to get the damn thing out.

From Z

Blam.

From Z

After further inspection, I was able to locate the FOURTH and final mouse house.

From Z

I am officially changing the name of my blog to OldMouseHotelRenovations.blogspot.com.

From Z

Gross.

So natually I couldn't leave that rodent infested heater in there.

From Z

Gonzo.

From Z

Looking pretty clean for a Dirty S30.

From Z

I can't wait to dive headfirst into rust repair mode.

From Z

More taking shit apart to come.
Stay tuned...