DayStar dash panel mod
05-18-2008, 05:08 PM
#1
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DayStar dash panel mod
I was excited when my new DayStar dash panel arrived, but was dismayed the first time I turned a sharp corner after it was installed when my cell phone slid off and nearly flew out the passenger side window!
So, I decided to do something about it.
I had these small bungee cords and grommets in my tool box.
Using some masking tape, I taped off the vertical bar behind the rear storage compartment. I carefully measured and marked a dot on each side of the vertical bar. I used my dremel moto-tool to carefully drill a hole at each dot to slightly less than the diameter of the brass grommets.
I cut the metal hooks off of each end of the small bungee cord, then pulled each end through a grommet (you have to be careful here, and use a sharp knife or scissors - the bungee cord ends fray very easily, and onced frayed are almost impossible to pull through the grommet). I inserted the end of the bungee cord into one of the holes, and using some needle-nose pliers, pulled the bungee tight from the bottom side of the DayStar dash panel. Then, using the needle nose pliers, I pulled the bungee tight on the underside of the dash panel, and fed the end through another grommet. I let the grommet slide all the way up to the rear of the plastic vertical bar, then using another set of needle nose pliers, while pulling the bungee tight, I crimped the grommet to keep it from sliding out.
I repeated the process on the other side of the bungee cord, making sure there was the right amount of tension on the bungee cord when I was done.
It works great, and looks pretty good (at least I think so)
While the dash panel was off, I also cut out some rubber shelf liner to fit the inside of each of the storage compartments. I carefully brushed the cut-out shelf liner and the storage compartment with rubber cement, then pressed the two together.
This simple modification cost me about $0, because I used stuff that was laying around. You could probably do the same for under $10.
Also, after installation my wife convinced me that it would look better if the bungee were black. Instead of buying a black bungee and starting the project over, I put a couple of index cards behind the bungee, and used a black permanent marker to 'paint' the bungee black. I agree, it looks much better with a black bungee cord (they are just not easy to find).
So, I decided to do something about it.
I had these small bungee cords and grommets in my tool box.
Using some masking tape, I taped off the vertical bar behind the rear storage compartment. I carefully measured and marked a dot on each side of the vertical bar. I used my dremel moto-tool to carefully drill a hole at each dot to slightly less than the diameter of the brass grommets.
I cut the metal hooks off of each end of the small bungee cord, then pulled each end through a grommet (you have to be careful here, and use a sharp knife or scissors - the bungee cord ends fray very easily, and onced frayed are almost impossible to pull through the grommet). I inserted the end of the bungee cord into one of the holes, and using some needle-nose pliers, pulled the bungee tight from the bottom side of the DayStar dash panel. Then, using the needle nose pliers, I pulled the bungee tight on the underside of the dash panel, and fed the end through another grommet. I let the grommet slide all the way up to the rear of the plastic vertical bar, then using another set of needle nose pliers, while pulling the bungee tight, I crimped the grommet to keep it from sliding out.
I repeated the process on the other side of the bungee cord, making sure there was the right amount of tension on the bungee cord when I was done.
It works great, and looks pretty good (at least I think so)
While the dash panel was off, I also cut out some rubber shelf liner to fit the inside of each of the storage compartments. I carefully brushed the cut-out shelf liner and the storage compartment with rubber cement, then pressed the two together.
This simple modification cost me about $0, because I used stuff that was laying around. You could probably do the same for under $10.
Also, after installation my wife convinced me that it would look better if the bungee were black. Instead of buying a black bungee and starting the project over, I put a couple of index cards behind the bungee, and used a black permanent marker to 'paint' the bungee black. I agree, it looks much better with a black bungee cord (they are just not easy to find).
Last edited by SJG; 05-19-2008 at 10:35 AM. Reason: adding pictures due to request for detail
05-18-2008, 07:31 PM
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Instructions...
It is really a simple install. The instructions are more than adequate with the pictures and written directions.
You should have no problems, it took me 10 minutes max...and I am not the most mechanically inclined person.
You should have no problems, it took me 10 minutes max...and I am not the most mechanically inclined person.
05-19-2008, 10:51 AM
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~SJG
