Dash Kits

[mileshoover]

So far have found two places who sell wood dash kits for the 300C. They are:

www.exoticwooddash.com

Has the better appearing kit with up to 32 pieces, dependent upon whether with or without NAV. Unfortunately their part #30 is erroneous and needs to be corrected and may take a few months to fix. Cost ranging from $121 to $330 (synthetic to real wood or composites).
Discounts are offered, so ask.
Phone 1-800-354-4449

www.woodtrim.com

AKA JoshuaTree Wood Trim. Their kit does not yet support the NAV system, price ranges from $255.94 to $319.92 with 24 or more pieces covering some range different than the previous place (but not as much in some areas).
Discounts are offered, so ask.
Phone 1-800-769-9178

[mileshoover]

Ordered the wooddash kit from www.exoticwooddash.com on 5/25. They now have a real wood match for the OEM California Walnut Burl. Price quoted was $238.50 due to "sale" period, including UPS shipping of $12.50.

Initially was told that I should have it by 6/4, but that didn't happen. Now I'm told that it should be here by 6/18.

Since this order is the first for this product, they have had some production problems and delivery is now late. This firm cuts the 27 pieces with a laser. Previous experience with this firm was great. Will keep all interested posted on this. I will do the installation myself and plan to take some pics for this forum.

[thematrixhasu]

www.woodtrim.com will have a tortise shell factory match kit on july 1. I have been in communication with them on and off for three weeks

[Z2SO4]

I await some pictures of it installed!

[Fast300C]

Great, next time you talk with them tell them we are waiting.

[aspendog]

Originally Posted by thematrixhasu

www.woodtrim.com will have a tortise shell factory match kit on july 1. I have been in communication with them on and off for three weeks

I will have my factory match walnut from Joshua Tree by Wednesday. I assisted in matching the color/grain. It matches the wheel and shifter perfect, but the door handles are a bit more red. Anyone else notice the difference in color? I'll certainly post pics after the install. BTW I am not using all the pieces so if anyone wants the leftovers let me know. The kit is 31 pc and I will be using 21 of them.

[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by aspendog

I will have my factory match walnut from Joshua Tree by Wednesday. I assisted in matching the color/grain. It matches the wheel and shifter perfect, but the door handles are a bit more red. Anyone else notice the difference in color? I'll certainly post pics after the install. BTW I am not using all the pieces so if anyone wants the leftovers let me know. The kit is 31 pc and I will be using 21 of them.

My kit from exoticwooddash, though having 27 pieces I will use, does not provide the four inside door opener handle surrounds as joshuatree includes in their kit. (That's their kit numbers (R)5300-14, 15, 16, and 17).

Since you indicate that you will not use them, I'd sure love to have those leftovers of yours. I have already sent you an e-mail with my address, etc.

Thanks very much for the offer.

[Robert E Thompson]

Does any one know how hard these kits are to install. Some pictures would also be nice.

[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by Robert E Thompson

Does any one know how hard these kits are to install. Some pictures would also be nice.

I installed a similarly-sized walnut wood kit (27 pieces) in my '99 LHS. It required cleaning off the surfaces to be appliqued with a provided cleaner, then using a provided fixative, and last, applying the pieces, individually and very carefully. Also, a heat source such as a hair dryer or simply setting the pieces on the dash or hood in the sun will warm them enough that they develop considerable flexibility which made the installation quite easy.

If you have the <patience> to do an excellent job in installing your own wall paper in your home, you should be able to install these appliques. The pieces are about a 32d of an inch thick, more or less, backed with an adhesive which, along with the fixative, will keep them in place. The ones on my '99 were installed just after delivery in '98 and were in fine shape when traded for this 300C.

My previous experience was that the furnished installation instructions were very competent; that the pieces were laser-cut to fit with no problems. However, my prior kit, for some reason, did not include the walnut applique piece for the passenger seat control area. I made that one myself by tracing the area and cutting it out of remaining scrap with a razor knife, drilling the appropriate hole needed, and enlarging it to fit. That required some woodworking skill, something I have been acquiring for over 50 years. I don't expect that problem on this new kit.

A warning -- ensure that any pieces placed over or nearby items which move (switches) or might have to be removed for access in the future, such as the covering surrounding the NAV/Stereo, do NOT complicate switch movement or removing that surround for possible future repairs. But I will provide more info just as soon as I can, along with before and after pics, including any problems, if any, that I encounter.

[mileshoover]

New kit from exoticwooddash arrived Monday about 2 PM; installed all 27 pieces easily by 3 PM. The appliques are about 1/32" thick. Placing the entire kit onto the hood of the car heated them well enough that the recommended hot air blower was not needed. (The heat makes the pieces very flexible and bonds the pieces to the dash, etc.).

Awaiting development of pics in a few days. My only digital camera is in my cell phone and I wanted better results than it provides. Then will post them including more info about the installation.

Kit is for the matching OEM California walnut burl; it looks great and was cut well so that fit was relatively easy. It covers the just about all the crappy aluminum trim on the console from the front cup holder forward to the clock and the dash hiorizontally from the light switch to the other door in about a 3" swath of walnut. Each door gets a walnut surround for each window switch area. The rear cup holder and the glove box door lock are also high lighted by an applique.