How big of a job is it to replace wood dash, glove box, trip computer console, etc in my 86 Vanden Plas? I have good tools and am pretty good with them. Any pointers or problems I should know about before I dig into the job?

I am shopping Pauls Jags and British autowood for the pieces. It looks like Pauls is re-veneering original plywood substrates whereas the latter is using all brand new wood. Any body have experience with either of these? Comments?

thanks again
Doug

Submitted by warren.hansen@… on Mon, 01/27/2003 - 11:41

Doug,

It's a very small item, but I just installed a burl wood gearshift knob from British Autowood to replace the vinyl original, and there is just one problem with it: It's so beautiful it makes the original Jaguar wood in my 96 X300 look cheap by comparison! I can only imagine that a full dash from Saul Chapin would be a sensational upgrade to your car.

HTH,
Warren Hansen

Submitted by SC20-30420CJ on Fri, 01/24/2003 - 21:45

The dash is not that hard to get out and replace. Just go slowly, lable everything and keep the screws and hardware organized. With most jobs like this, it's also important to finish the job soon after you start it. The last thing you want is to take everything apart and leave it that way for weeks. You'll forget how everything goes back together. The wiring is all just unplugged from the harness. It only goes back one way so that's the easy part.

I've not dealt with British Autowood but they have a good reputation as far as I know. I have dealt extensively with Paul Phillips and have nothing but good things to say about him. I can assure you that you'll be delighted with his wood pieces.

John Testrake
President, Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis

Submitted by dougburgy@msn.com on Fri, 01/24/2003 - 16:20

To Doug Dwyer:

Just for clarification and F.Y.I.

I did in fact have it reversed and you were right (for other people following this post). Brit autowood DOES do the restoration (ie: new veneer treatment to previously used plywood substrate) and Pauls does the all new stuff.

Thanks for seeing my error.

Doug

Submitted by dougdwyer@eart… on Fri, 01/24/2003 - 15:36

I've never done it, but I understand that it's largely a unbolt-bolt procedure and is best taken at a leiurely pace . Top pad first, then end caps, then gauges, then.....oh, heck, I'm not sure, but I think it's supposed to be rather intuitive once you get started. Make sure all your wiring is labeled along the way.

I can vouch for Pauls' excellent service and products. Although I haven't used them, my understanding is that British Autowood also has a very good reputation.

As far as I know, Brit Autowood sells refinished wood and Paul's sells only new

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
JDRC/NWA