Hartman's interior projects

[Hartman]

I'm starting this thread to chronicle the mods that I'm going to be doing in the next few months to my interior. I've already started some of them, so this is a little late.

First mod was this center counsel piece. I filled in the ash try, cup holders, and kleenex slot and put some switches in there. The switches are for future projects.

Second mod was the seats. I snagged a set of black leather Infiniti I35 seats off eBay for $150, and fabricated some brackets so they bolted on the Explorer seat tracks. The seats are in but I'm still working on the electricals, because I managed to create a rather large electrical problem in my truck while trying to get power to these seats (DOH!). The pics are bad because it's hard to take a pic of the seats in good light.

I'm going to have the tops of the reupholstered to eliminate the headrest holes.

Third mod, which I'm working on now, is a completely smooth radio bezel. I eliminated the buttons on the sides, and turned the DIN+1/2 opening to a single DIN. This is how it stands now:

My future plans are to pull the dash, glass over it, and paint/clear coat it. Also, I'm going to be adding more tweed, and smoothing some more interior pieces. My dilema is that I can't seem to decide on a color scheme.

Here is a fairly recent pic of my dash:

I am probably going to paint the dash black. I'm going to recover the airbags, glove box door, panel under the column, counsel lid, etc. with charcoal tweed. I need a second accent color, and I can't decide between italian blue or an aluminum color (much like the interior color in the new STs and Sports). Keep in mind that I will also be adding billet interior accessories from UPRProducts.com and BilletPro.

Any other color suggestions welcome!

 

[Alec]

Why no headrests? IMO that's a comfort and safety

Everything else looks good

 

[JMT1SOMR]

Comming together nicely Hartman DI thought you had White Face Gauges? Maybe not? I'm subscribing to get updates.

_Justin

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by Alec
Why no headrests? IMO that's a comfort and safety

Everything else looks good

The headrests are odd. They stick out too much for me and they bug me when driving. Plus I like the look without them.

 

[Alec]

Whatever boats yer float!

Though from the experience of recovering mine, you could probably shave the inside foam pretty easily and then get them custom covered.

 

[TravisC]

Your interior looks sweet. IMO I think it would look better with the headrests but if you don't want them then it's up to you since it's your truck. I've driven without them and I think it feels akward when they're not there. I guess I'm just used to the feeling of having a headrest there. Looks good though!!!

 

[Hartman]

More progress pics.

Test fit.

The first of many primer stages to come.

 

[boominXplorer]

i would go over the screw holes also. It stays in there pretty good without the screws. You could also make sometype of bracketry inside to hold it in better

 

[Hartman]

Nah I'm leaving the screw holes. They are barely seen when the bezel is installed.

 

[james t]

looks awesome thusfar. i really dig the flush single din opening. i would leave the screw holes, as they are not even visable while sitting in the truck but thats just my opinion.

 

[X24]

So what about your 4wd switch?... or am I just way behind on your mods and you already converted to 2wd?

Rear wiper control?
Rear defogger?

Just gonna ditch 'em?

 

[Rick]

Lookin' good. I wish I could work 'glass like that.

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by X24
So what about your 4wd switch?... or am I just way behind on your mods and you already converted to 2wd?

Rear wiper control?
Rear defogger?

Just gonna ditch 'em?

4WD switch - Converting to 2WD within the next month, but until then I relocated the switch under the counsel bin.

Cig lighter - Don't smoke, I use the one on the counsel for my cell phone.

Rear wiper - HAHA, it's worthless, plus it's getting shaved anyway.

Rear defrost - Haven't used it in 2 years, my truck is garaged 90% of the time. I relocated that switch under the counsel as well, just in case.

Rick, fiberglassing really isn't that hard.

 

[Ak LTD Xplorer]

no cup holder's..awwwwww..how could you do it?...lol nice..but i like all my switches

and the 4x4..you must live where you don't need it(?)

 

[Hartman]

We have pretty harsh winters some years, but my truck usually doesn't require 4WD on the roads. They keep the roads pretty clear here.

And if you like switches, I wouldn't recommend this mod.

 

[nnnick]

sweet, should be tight. i vote for a silver ST color as the third color. black, charcoal and silver would be tight. the blue might be nice but i would think it might look wierd unless you carry the blue theme to the exterior somehow...

 

[Hartman]

I'm leaning towards the silver ST color but it's still up in the air.

 

[X24]

i vote silver

 

[CobraXP]

Looking good Hartman! As for color, I would recommend checking out: Phoenix Image. I just took apart the X and sent them some pieces to dip. Looks 200% better than any of the dash kits out...

I like the din idea. It wouldn't work for me because of my double din, but I think it will look much cleaner than using the install kits with the pocket...

 

[Hartman]

Yeah i'll probably end up going with silver, although I really would like to get another color in there that spices things up a bit.

One of the main reasons I did the single DIN opening was my crappy install kit. It was always moving around and looks like crap.