First of all I would like to thank Daniel Pass of www.ricambiamerica.com for providing me the parts I needed to pimp my ride. 1'st class products, fast shipping and the best prices This Sunday afteroon the weather was pretty OK, so I decided to install my new detail parts which I recived earlier this week....during the installation I took some pics to show process: Step one: Door posts, very easy to replace, you just unscrew the original and replace it with the new alu-post....done in about 24 sec. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Step two: Billet Stalk Ends. Again very easy to replace, just remove the old rubber ends they are not glued or anything. Put on your new alu-ends, and thighten it with a mini tool (incl.) Done in about 1 min. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Step three: Instrument Gauge Rings. Make sure you clean your instrument clocks before you install the rings. On the inside of the rings there is a strong double-sided tape which you can pull off with a pair of tweezers - very easy and ca 2 min. work Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Step four: Gear Knob Now this was a mother which wouldnt go off without a fight so I went down in my basement and dug up a solid peice of tool to get it loose. The original gear knob for the 348 is 42mm - this new one is 47, they are also avaliable in 50mm, but Daniel told me that the 50mm was kinda too big for this car.... After you have unscrewed the original gear knob just put on your new, if it dosent fit when you thighten it simply adjust it with the bottom screw, so when you tighten it again the "R-1-2-3-4-5" will be the correct way. Time: hmmm including the fight, I guess ca 5 min. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Step five: Pedals/Footrest This was a bit thougher challenge, I know there are already several posts about how you replace the pedals here on the chat so no long story here... Remove the original rubber pads, mask the pedals with paper so you can mark where you'll drill the holes. The footrest, I guess some of you are wondering why I didnt remove the original rubber pad on this, the reason is that this footrest is a bit smaller than the original pad, and the carpet is not big enough to go under the alu-rest...so IF I'd removed it, it wouldnt be any nice at all...IMO Took about 1 hour.. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looking "bling bling" Paul!!! Now go drive it to test the pedals (to the metal!! ) and the gearknob (redline in fifth!! )!! Guy
Fantastic upgrades! I really like the gauge rings in particular... Now if I could just get my wife to wash her own car.....
Pedals - Yes! Gear Knob - Yes! (is it the increased diameter one?) Door Pins - borderline Stalk ends - borderline Instrument rings - awful! I think the rings are far too "fat". I have some old instruments and I was going to experiment with painting or plating just the ring surface of the original. It's what Audi does for example on their standard cars. Anyway, what counts is that you're having fun! As the Germans say "you can't start an argument about taste"!
@Merete, You deserve credit as well, you are doing a good job maintaining the Volvo......nice to see that you don't forget the most important vehicle.....the daily driver! Tina and Carsten
Hmmmm..... I only like the gear knob, the rest looks too chep and Japanese "Fast and Furious-style" to me, but I agree with Drew: as long as you're having fun!!! BTW: The violent tool for remowing the old gear knob could indicate that the original gear knob is no longer usable.......did you ruin the original Pål???
drew this is the 47mm gear knob, and you get a good grip arond it too..better than the original 42mm IMO
no, why should I?!?! The old gear knob have been there for the last 15 years, so I put a towel over it and gave it a gently twist with the tool, and off it went, no damage to the original.
the aditions are very suttle but are great aditions to the car, make it look very much newer, and more agressive...i like it alot...
