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Anyone got a VZ Cross 8 Crewman? (But now I have one :) )

Fu Manchu

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So. These fricken B-pillar trims.
With factory fabric, this is an easy retrim. With a low quality macro suede, easy (but it won’t hold up well to UV). This fabric has a degree of stretch but only so much. It’s also “thicker than a bowl of oatmeal”.
I’ve done quite a few of these over the years. So to get a slight bit of of wrinkling is a master stroke.

I completely buggered one B-pillar trim by doing a different corner first. Pushed it to the end. Then came to my senses and ripped it off with some effort and started again with a new bit of fabric.

So I’ll show how I did it, and hopefully that helps someone else trying it.

First. Same deal, laid out the fabric and worked it over the trim. “Oh yeah baby. You like that? Yeah, you like that, B-pillar trim. Yeah.”

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I figured the lesser corner would be the go. So on went the adhesive on the trim and onto the fabric. Just that corner. Wait till it’s really tacky. Press it in and work it gently into the corner with your thumb.
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Then the middle section at the top. Don’t apply it to the corner yet.

Then into the remaining corner. Again wait until both surfaces are really tacky. Not wet. (That’s what she said)
Just stretch it into the corner. Don’t fold it over. I had to make some careful relief cuts (with a scalpel) out from the edge. Remember, not from the exact edge. Always 5mm or so out.

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At this point I trimmed up the top half ready. A fair bit of tension is on the various parts of the trim in this area so folding over the edges helps.

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The remaining section is easy enough. You might need to get some flex and tension into the fabric to get any wrinkles out. A few lifts and retack but only a couple of chances to do this and you have to reapply adhesive and wait, so as long as you are aware that needs attention, you should avoid any problems. I used a scalpel along the bottom edge for where it fits up under the bottom B-Pillar trim.
Where the seat belt adjuster is, I cut a relief into the centre. Then a narrow section close to the sides, just enough to fold over, but not into the slide.

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The end result is not perfect, but with this fabric you'd need to sew it and that is beyond my skills. This is good enough, and once in the car, not many would ever notice the imperfection.

*Any glue stuck onto the facing side can mostly be gently worked off with an eraser/rubber.
 
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Fu Manchu

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The Crewman C-Pillar trim.
Did this in three parts. The top. The side. The back.

Again, the Jesus handle has a notch that must be cut away first to get the fabric flat. Work fast and calm. Work the shape of the handle grip recess first.

Down the back, there’s a tight curve. The fabric can be worked into it. Press it down and cut some reliefs going outwards from the trim with a scalpel. (Not right up against the trim)

For sedans as well, it’s the same, and particular attention to where the light fits.

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I use a scalpel on the tucked edge. Press firm for a clean cut into the plastic and try to keep all your fingers and not stab yourself. This is tricky. Get it wrong and the light won’t fit in. As you can see, I got it right and the light fits.

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Last, fold over the back. Make cuts where there are bends. Spray the glue and let it go sticky (not wet).
 

Fu Manchu

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So off came the door card.

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What. The. Actual. ****.
Speaker looks burnt.

I’ve never seen this. The speaker housing looked like some scorching on it.

I’ve seen some corroded as fk terminals on speakers at wreckers, but never anything like this.

About to install JBL GTO-609c’s front and back.

Haven’t got the other doors open for yet so I “look forward” to what is there.

All speakers worked when I drove this car home. How? I don’t know.

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I just cut the wires from the speakers. These aren’t even good for spares. The cones are in good condition though.
 

Fu Manchu

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Work work, work. No time for the car. Lots of family time too.

So I’ve got a couple of little jobs done.
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One is the rear console trim. Scratched up silver edges. The centre plastic was dog scratched to buggery. Almost chucked it in the bin. Glad I didn’t.
Ebony Black Side trims now. Got on on so well, I didn’t need any sanding. Just a buff. The middle isn’t painted, but some plastic polish and a buff with the foam cone on a drill and it’s like new. Just has a slight shine to it.
 

Fu Manchu

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**Warning**
** The following audio stuff will make someones eye twitch **

Speakers done. A tight squeeze but done. Started on the speaker harnesses today.

Did the tweeters.
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Front one done.

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Rear before the two pole plug was added. Fits nice in there. Doesn’t foul the speaker.

These have adjustable tweeter settings, so the rear will be set low.

I’m putting all four cross overs in the back. Only because the settings can be adjusted on them and I’ll do that by lifting the seat. Easy access.

Doors got waterproof plugs.
Added waterproof plugs in same places as factory plugs in behind the door seals in the chassis. Wrapped in foam to avoid vibration. Tesa taped the looms.

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Stock v JBL

Needs a spacer but there’s not much clearance in the doors under the door cards. . Had to compromise and repeat how I did it my current Crewman.

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Carpet underfelt. Worked perfect. Sounds good enough for me in the current car.

Good speaker wire, but fkn Supercrap wire doesn’t have the earth marked. Does have nickel on one and copper the other, but to be sure I got a cable tie on the negative before any plugs.

It is good having the colours though.
Green, audio source, via the factory speaker plugs in the doors.
Gold, woofer out
Purple, tweeter out.

Because I don’t have power to test circuits, I’m testing continuity on every join and pin as I go.
 

Fu Manchu

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Insulating the door skins. Had some closed cell & foil insulation. Turned out to be a perfect size for all four doors. You can see it glued on the back of the felt. Doesn’t add any thickness that hampers trim fitment.

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Peeled off the factory insulation traced them onto the insulation. Glued onto the back. Re-glued the insulation back on.

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Filled any spaces with wadding from spotlight. All this was the cheapest option and made use of what’s around. I already have lots of this from something else.

Have similar in my current Crewman. Cab is so quiet.
 
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Fu Manchu

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Got a few jobs done today.
Modernised the centre console. No more cigarette lighter. Now a usb 3.0 data port, and a usb C and usb charge port.

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Also have upgraded the features to a console bin light (LED). Has the switch at the top and the three wires you can see at the plug, instead of the two standard ones.

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I used a flush mount 12v port which is handy because of limited space behind due to the HVAC duct.

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(Lots of water marks from washing it. All gone now and looks new after some 303)
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I added a two pole female connector to it. Wrapped the data and charger wires with Tesa tape. The charger wires were thin, so I also soldered the to the female connectors once crimped.
 

Fu Manchu

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Also cleaned the glove box. Added some proper black carpet to the inside.
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Undid the screws, removed the old grey stuff.

Gave it a wash.

Then I traced the old bit onto some thicker black marine carpet. (Going in the tray)

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Old v new.

Now has nicer look and the lid sounds much more solid. Not empty sounding.
 

Fu Manchu

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Took out the cluster, ready for a polish tomorrow.
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Will give it a clean out in there before it goes back in.
 

Fu Manchu

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Made a sound pad out of left over bits.
Felt carpet underlay and foam.

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Started with making a cardboard template.

Then glued the two layers of felt each side of the foam.

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Sits in well and makes a noticeable difference in the cab.
 
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