Return to the BUILD

“In this issue you will continue the assembly of the dashboard and center console by following these step-by-step instructions.”

Contents

Parts

Materials: Everything is plastic, except for the Steering Column and Steering Wheel which are metal.

Magazine

• Drive Time: Model Instructions
• Two Months In: Fox in a Wig and Pasadena
• A Time Traveler’s Guide: Gray’s Sports Almanac

Build

The Steering Column and Dashboard

Step 1

Place the Lever (Wipers) into the upper part of the Steering Column Base (Upper) as shown.

We are building this upside down, so don’t worry about these looking wrong just yet:

Step 2

Place the Lever (Indicator & Horn) into the other side of the upper part of the Steering Column Base (Upper) as shown:

Step 3

Fit the Steering Column Base (Lower) onto the upper part, trapping the levers in between.

The levers will seem floppy until the next step squeezes them firmly:

Step 4

Secure these parts together with two (2) BP screws:

Step 5

Place this assembly on the underside of the Dashboard (from the previous issue) as shown, and secure with two (2) FP screws:

Step 6

Attach the Bracket to the Dashboard Base as shown using two (2) BP screws.

Step 7

Fit the Dashboard Base to the bottom of the Dashboard and secure it in place with four (4) FP screws.

The posts inside the Dashboard fit into the posts of the Dashboard Base. Make sure these are all seated correctly before tightening the screws:

Steps 8-9

Slide the Steering Column through the Bracket and out through the Steering Column Base assembly:

Steps 10-11

Fit the Steering Wheel onto the end of the Steering Column and secure with one (1) BM screw.

NOTE: In other builds I have seen, this Steering Column shaft is not right. A replacement shaft is included along with Issue 79.

This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

Steps 12

Push the Steering Wheel Centre into the center of the Steering Wheel.

WARNING! Because of the replacement Steering Column shaft I mentioned above, DO NOT install this part. It is nearly impossible to remove without damaging it. I loosely placed it on the wheel just for the picture below, but I highly recommend waiting on this until Issue 79 before installing it for real…

Step 13

Without pinching any wires, combine the dashboard and center console assemblies, and secure with two (2) FP screws, as shown. The yellow/white wire should run along the bottom of the center console:

That completes this issue, but you may notice that I wrapped up my red/black Dashboard Mod wiring with a twist tie and pushed into the dashboard cavity. I then used another twist tie to hold it down inside the dash:

Thoughts

Look at that, the interior is really starting to look sharp! You will note that I have not installed the Steering Wheel Centre cover and will store it until we get the new Steering Column shaft in Issue 79. I hope you are preparing yourself for the next issue, it is a BIG one!

Next Up

 Issue 48 – Dashboard: Decorative Wiring