102 replies to this topic

[roberts]

Just a thought on the cup holder front.....

Would a pop out cup holder like the type fitted in BMWs etc fit in a mini dashboard?

That type of holder could be bought as an off the shelve item (keeping costs down) and would only need a slot cutting the mdf for it. (Assuming that there is sufficient structure behind the dash to support the weight of the holder + cup with liquid in it)

Yeah, anther thing that has crossed our mind and we have looked into - sadly we couldn't find a cup holder like you describe that worked so it came out and beyond the bottom dash rail.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[roberts]

hi andy... do these said dashes use the existing speedo or do you have to buy a smaller.... from what ive seen you have to use a different speedo than the original large one..... i didnt mean make an exact copy but a dash along the same idea with the clock set up etc but keeping the central speedo if that makes sense...i think it would look awsome in vinyl..( dont know why but ive a fettish for vinyl at the mo)..

as said...fantastic company to buy from..iver bought quite a few products now and cant fault the quality

cheers james

Wouldn't have a clue, you would have to have a word with ABS about that.

We could certainly offer a flat dashboard with a similar clock patter on it if that is what you mean?


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[leroy26]

ok then heres another idea!
split the dash into two parts, right hand side fixed with the dials in , left hand side hinged (either up or down) so it has a massive glovebox area!

[AdamBilsy]

Something for you to concider for the cup holder, I fitted a pop-out holder from a mondeo into my old aftermarket dash, required a hole about 50x40mm, and they are already fitted with 2 lugs on the sides with screw holes to fix to the rear of the dash.

[roberts]

ok then heres another idea!
split the dash into two parts, right hand side fixed with the dials in , left hand side hinged (either up or down) so it has a massive glovebox area!

Again an idea that we could certainly produce as a custom option for you.

Although the 55cm (or so) wide glove box door wouldn't be very practical (as it would have to be opened from the side unless you basically made the one massive glove box).

also, when you say massive glove box area what are you planning on putting in there?

I ask because it's a good idea but the area behind a dashboard is very small, so although it could potentially be a long area (around 50cm), you wouldn't really be able to store anything in the area that would make it worth while.

Keep them coming!!


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[roberts]

Something for you to concider for the cup holder, I fitted a pop-out holder from a mondeo into my old aftermarket dash, required a hole about 50x40mm, and they are already fitted with 2 lugs on the sides with screw holes to fix to the rear of the dash.

It's something that we definitely need to look into - although we would only fit a cup holder if it was new. So basically we need to identify potential cup holders from current cars and see if we can buy them directly from the manufacturer (local dealership parts department).

Do you know what mk Mondeo the cup holder was from?

Once again, it could very easily be a custom option or an accessory, as above the dashboards will be completely customisable (like all of our products).


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[jpw1275]

hi andy... do these said dashes use the existing speedo or do you have to buy a smaller.... from what ive seen you have to use a different speedo than the original large one..... i didnt mean make an exact copy but a dash along the same idea with the clock set up etc but keeping the central speedo if that makes sense...i think it would look awsome in vinyl..( dont know why but ive a fettish for vinyl at the mo)..

as said...fantastic company to buy from..iver bought quite a few products now and cant fault the quality

cheers james

Wouldn't have a clue, you would have to have a word with ABS about that.

We could certainly offer a flat dashboard with a similar clock patter on it if that is what you mean?


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

hi andy... yea thats it buddy..... would need to incorperate the large speedo in its original centre position , then a 75mm hole for a rev counter next to it..then 2 holes either side for 52mm gauges..maybe the clocks could be raised say 30mm off the face to give an innocenti effect... no vent holes or cupboard door and wrapped in black vinyl my good friend... would neet to fit an early 73 with no padded top dash rail but is padded on the lower rail.... if you want to sort my a price out that would be great then we can sort the design out..:)... pm me buddy if you wish


cheers james

Edited by jpw1275, 05 February 2013 - 07:52 PM.

[leroy26]

well the thinking behind it is to have basicly the same glovebox area you have with the three dial binicle that comes from the factory just covered up for security so it would be more useful rthan the glovebox that comes in a standard dashboard, so yes you would need a mahoosive glove box door!

ok then heres another idea!
split the dash into two parts, right hand side fixed with the dials in , left hand side hinged (either up or down) so it has a massive glovebox area!

Again an idea that we could certainly produce as a custom option for you.

Although the 55cm (or so) wide glove box door wouldn't be very practical (as it would have to be opened from the side unless you basically made the one massive glove box).

also, when you say massive glove box area what are you planning on putting in there?

I ask because it's a good idea but the area behind a dashboard is very small, so although it could potentially be a long area (around 50cm), you wouldn't really be able to store anything in the area that would make it worth while.

Keep them coming!!


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[Chance]

What company at bingley had the twin cupholder that fits into a radio gap

Basically the same size as a CD player but was a thin draw that pulled out and a twin cupholder underneath that

Might have been custom consoles, maybe talk to them bout the cupholders although I doubt they would want to give business away lol

[WillRunci]

i would like to see a dash that i can fit a weber box behind. so no glove box. angled gauges. oh and definitely a cup holder

I would have thought a Webber box would fit behind any after market dashboard? Or do they intrude into the cabin that much?


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

Ya unfortunatly on a sports pack the radio and 3 clocks dont allow for a box. im not a fan of centre consoles so i would like to ditch the glove box (mainly because it rattles too much) and move the 3 clocks left with the radio

and if im feeling generous install an Ipad mini in the centre as its slim

Good evening,

That dash layout wouldn't work unfortunately.

There simply isn't enough space at the sides of the dash to mount a CD player, as the air vents and air pipes for the windscreen vents (mounted in the top dash rail) get in the way.

Its certainly something that we could look into as a custom option and we could have a look to see if a CD player would fit there is you removed the air vent and air pipe - which would obviously mean demisting your windscreen would be a nightmare.

We will have a section on the website for custom layouts and if they are simply a change in layout using one of our existing dashboard templates they will be an additional £10.

Also, I best point out that due to the height of a dashboard (for top padded dash rail fitted) I don't think you would be able to fit the three 52mm clocks above the CD player if it was located at the side (they only just fit in the middle).


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

Hmmm thanks for the great feedback tho, back to the drawing board!

[roberts]

hi andy... yea thats it buddy..... would need to incorperate the large speedo in its original centre position , then a 75mm hole for a rev counter next to it..then 2 holes either side for 52mm gauges..maybe the clocks could be raised say 30mm off the face to give an innocenti effect... no vent holes or cupboard door and wrapped in black vinyl my good friend... would neet to fit an early 73 with no padded top dash rail but is padded on the lower rail.... if you want to sort my a price out that would be great then we can sort the design out..:)... pm me buddy if you wish

cheers james

We can certainly offer a flat dash with those holes for the correct dials, however, raising the individual dials up makes trimming the dash very difficult and difficult = expensive.

I'll get Jon (our joiner) working on a basic MDF Innocenti dashboard design tomorrow and see what the guys can do about trimming some sort of raised dials.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

Edited by roberts, 05 February 2013 - 08:07 PM.

[AdamBilsy]

Do you know what mk Mondeo the cup holder was from?

It came from a Mk3 Mondeo, as far as I know they are still available new direct from main dealer.
I think I have a couple spare at work, will have a look and try and get a part number off of it if you want it.

[roberts]

well the thinking behind it is to have basicly the same glovebox area you have with the three dial binicle that comes from the factory just covered up for security so it would be more useful rthan the glovebox that comes in a standard dashboard, so yes you would need a mahoosive glove box door!

That's basically a description of our offset dashboards (great minds think alike?)- here is a few photos of an early prototype:




As you can see they are symmetrical (and central) so the glove box door is the same size as the raised block for the binnacle.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[roberts]

What company at bingley had the twin cupholder that fits into a radio gap

Basically the same size as a CD player but was a thin draw that pulled out and a twin cupholder underneath that

Might have been custom consoles, maybe talk to them bout the cupholders although I doubt they would want to give business away lol

That's quite a good idea, but the problem is you have to choose between a cup holder or a radio/CD player... fingers crossed we can sort a solution out so you can have both.


Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080

[roberts]

It came from a Mk3 Mondeo, as far as I know they are still available new direct from main dealer.
I think I have a couple spare at work, will have a look and try and get a part number off of it if you want it.

That would be brilliant!

Thanks
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Website: www.optimise-automotive.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1782 579 080