Wood Grain kit

[PandaPimp]

I am thinking of purchasing a wood grain kit for my explorer. The black around my stereo and air controls has worn off in places and Ford wants too much to replace them. I can purchase a kit from ebay for around $50.00. Has anyone done this? What are the advantages / disadvantages? Most kits have a hole for a 4x4 switch, can a plug be ordered for those of us who do not have 4x4? All input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you~

 

[GJarrett]

There are a thousand options

I've got a real wood grain dash on mine. Most are fake wood or carbon, etc, and the quality of many are great enough you cannot tell the difference. There are thin press-on kits, and molded kits that follow all the contours of your dash pieces. Most kits have different pieces for the 2wd and 4wd models so no plug to fill the 4wd switch hole is needed.

$50 is VERY cheap for a kit. You can spend over $800. Most fall in the $300+ range. You can do a search on the internet for wood grain dashes. There are at least a hundred companies offering kits.

My only direct advice is to NOT purchase from the company I did, Daytona Dash. Their kits are the finest quality, but the experience I had with them was absolutely the worst I have ever had dealing with a company. The story is very long, but the short form is they promised it in four days, charged my card, spent MONTHS getting it to me, then sent the WRONG kit (TWICE!), then once the correct kit was sent, one of the pieces was still wrong, then they sent the SAME piece to replace that one, all the while promising to have the problem fixed that week. Don't dare buy anything from them.

As far as is it worth it, I get many compliments and it really changes the atmosphere of the interior. If you get a kit that doesn't look crappy it is well worth it. I would stronly suggest being able to see what you are buying before you buy it.

Hope that helped.

 

[Xplor]

I have the same thing with Exotic Wood Dash (Discount Auto Trim) I have a 2WD explorer. So they sent me the 4WD kit and I returned it. I've called the sales rep (in AZ) and asked for the correct part. Well a couple of weeks later, they set me the very same wrong model which is for the 4WD! I called them again and they explained to me that the parts were shipping from New York, they must have model numbers mixed up or something. But on they 3rd attempt, I did get the right part, but!..it has a cracked in it. This was the real molded burlwood. So back to the phone again! Finally got it on the 4th one. Overall as for the appearance of wood trim will defintely make the explorer classy

 

[PandaPimp]

The wood grain kit I want to buy has the hole for 4x4 already in it, but it is only $50.00! Any ideas on how to cover it up? I mean $50.00 compared to $200.00 I was thinking I could cover the hole or do something somehow. It is a 17 peice set, most are only 10 or so! I was thinking of not installing that piece, but that is where the black is peeling off! Maybe a round Ford logo to cover it? I don't know!

Here's a pic, tell me what you think?

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[Edited by PandaPimp on 08-30-2000 at 12:07 AM]

 

[mrsteve]

That kit looks alright but you did notice that it is for 95-96 Explorers and you have a 97.

 

[GJarrett]

To cover the hole, get a 4wd switch nob, glue it in place, and let people think you have a 4wd

 

[Goober]

Those kits have glue with them or just an adhesive backing? Seems like it has to be pretty strong adhesive to withstand temp changes and flexing of the components it is attached to. I was looking at doing that too, but didn't want to spend the money to have it peel off during the summer when the inside of the truck gets pretty sauna-ish. Also, what is the error factor? I mean, if you happen to put it on at an angle or slightly miss where you were going to put it.

 

[KodeBlu]

Goober, the woodgrain and carbon fiber dash kits have '3m' double sided tape on them. The same tape you can get at your local auto parts store. The carbon fiber kit I installed on my '97 Sport also came with an adhesive primer which was applied to the dash and doors before applying the kit to promote adhesion. I don't know if that primer was really necessary or not...but I can say that once the adhesive 'set' it was on there and it was not coming off! I had the Sport for two years of changing weather, using the heat and the A/C and none of the pieces ever shifted or had to be reattached. Personally I love the dash kits and the only reason I do not have one in my Limited is because Ford chose to put "woodgrain look" plastic on the dash and doors and I have not been able to find a kit to either match it or cover it all up.

Panda, that kit looks nice but I agree with mrsteve, that kit is for the 95-96 model. The lower console where the ashtray and cupholders are, is different on the '97 models. So, if you can deal with not using that piece and the '4x4' hole in the radio cluster piece...go for it.

 

[DarkFox1]

I've been considering getting one of these myself. Exotic wood dash seems to be the company with the best parts.. I was looking at the molded 2wd dash and console. (my bezel is also scratched up) as far as '95-96 and a 97.. whats the difference? '95-97 is the same interior.. as far as I know anyway

I also looked into getting the peices on the doors around the window and locks.

I would also have this installed btw.. you mess it up.. and its gonna be a mess trying to get things back together.

 

[config]

I've upgraded to the wood grain and I have to admit it does look great! I got mine from AAA Exotic Wood Corp for $115.00 . It didn't include the center console (radio, A/C, 4x4 switch, etc) which I thought would've been the most important one. I wrote them to see if I could get that piece. Let's see what they say.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hwy config,
Do they have a website? I am interested in doing the same thing.

 

[config]

Ray,
I bought it through bidding on eBay. They sell the press on type where you need a hair dryer to help bend the pieces to shape. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow so you can get an idea how it looks. They have 2 different shades so you have to specify which one, Dark Zebra Wood or Rosewood.

Here's their address:
AAA Exotic Wood Corporation
22 Cragwood road, Unit F
Avenel, NJ 07001
732 340-0766

Please answer:
Model year of your car-
How many doors in your car -
does your car have a trip computer-
does your car have a rear ashtrays
Comments -

 

[config]

Here's an auction going on right now.
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[config]

Pictures

Here are a few pics for you all to see whether you like it.
Like I said the kit I purchased did not include the center piece which covers the radio, A/C, and 4x4 controls. The guy I purchased it from said it may be available next week. Let me know what you guys think.

I think I should've left off a couple pieces from the dash. It's hard to say but once you place the piece on, it's on there for good.

 

[DarkFox1]

nice, I haven't actually seen any pictures of this before besides the website promotionals.. and you know how they get all the lighting perfect just for the pics, but um, now I see the difference in the consoles.. I don't have that little square ashtray lookin thing on mine I have a removable cup in 1 of the cupholders instead.

I've been looking for the molded kit for the radio bezel also, if I ever make up my mind to get this or not, I'll post some pics on my cardomain site and let yall know

 

[Xplor]

Config, I have the center part that! what type of wood kit do you have...I have the burlwood. It does have the 4X4 switch opening. This is a extra piece that I already have. So if you are interested let me know.

 

[config]

Hey Xplor,
They call it Dark Zebra Wood. Most woodgrains I see are all about the same. I also have 3 pieces extra. A center trip computer piece and 2 others which I have no idea where it goes. Anyone want it?

 

[ExplorerXsport]

explorer sport

Does anybody know where i can get a carbon fiber kit for a explorer sport 97. Everyones kit is for the 4 door. Need a kit that will kit on my window controls.

 

[Xplor]

ExplorerXsport, Exotic wood dash has the carbon fiber kits. Thats were I purchased my wood dash. The got a web site (exoticwooddash.com) or call the to request a catalog 1-800-354-4449 (Discount Auto Trim).

config, I notice the instrument panel pic...the one with the the left angel of the steering wheel, looks like the bottom second piece is not straight with the main instrumental part. Is that normal?

 

[RytM1]

ExplorerXsport-
You can also call Infinty Products http://www.INFINTY-PRODUCTS.COM 800-562-3344, they have a line of carbon fiber kits too. Don't know about the 2 dr, but the 4 dr kit runs $345, and its the only company I have found that has all the parts (16 pcs.)