Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Interior Guides Dash Kit, Real Aluminum Dash Kit - FAQ

Real Aluminum Dash Kit - FAQ
By Tony @ EverythingCelica.com



For those who have been around, you would agree that the above pic generated a lot of commotion. In fact, it is still being discussed right now in several message boards. I have received hundreds of e-mails on this mod. So, instead of keep replying to the same subject, I decided to answer them here. Thank you SIR Isaac for setting up this forum.

About a year and a half ago, aftermarket support for the Celica was weak. And Carbon Fiber dash kit was the "shit". I searched eBay and found an incomplete kit for $30. It was missing a few pieces but it was a REAL Carbon Fiber kit.

Two months later, I decided to buy a complete kit. When I received the new kit, I found out that it was "Carbon Fiber look". I was like WTF? I asked for my money back but the seller refused. So, I was stuck with it. Instead of screwing another Celica owner, I just tossed it in my closet.

Carbon Fiber dash kit became so popular that it seemed everyone and their moms had one. I wanted something different. I wanted REAL Aluminum. I search the internet and found nothing. Finally, a friend of mine referred me to a metal shop that can cut aluminum in any shape as long as you provide the pattern. And it dawned on me that I had a full set of "Carbon Fiber Look" dash kit sitting in my closet collecting dust. So, I took it in and paid $250. A week later, I received my Real Aluminum Dash kit.

I was very stoked until I tried to install it. Real aluminum doesn't bend or stick like Carbon Fiber kit. After trying different adhesives, my Dad and I decided to use screws. We added a couple of them to test the look at first. The screws added a "racier" look. We, then added more screws to hold the kit down. I ordered a small TRD aluminum decal from eBay and my dash kit was completed.

So, I hope this answers your questions. That's a real aluminum dash kit, and those are real screws.

Tony













Current photo as of January 2004...

Anyway, I'm glad you posted this, Tony. I bought one of those real aluminum kits for the RSX last year and was having the same installation problems.

Just saw your article last week and went to Home Cheapo for the "screw mod". Seriously, the screws really do add to the look of the kit and the aluminum pieces actually stay put! Thanks!

Wow, simple yet very impressive!

Very very nice!