My 85 TBird - Page 20

Topic: My 85 TBird (Read 168084 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #285 – January 18, 2026, 02:28:15 PM

Quote

That's one way to do it! You going to cover it in vinyl or leather?

My initial thought was to try to have one 3D printed. That’ll be plan “b”. Yeah, some sort of textured vinyl that matches the surroundings.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #286 – January 18, 2026, 05:47:57 PM

After seeing it, I thought 3D printing might be an option. Might have to see if I can CAD something up.

It's hard to find them with those stupid mounting posts still intact. I don't think any of the ones I have onhand are unbroken.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #287 – January 18, 2026, 06:10:11 PM

Quote from: Chuck W – on January 18, 2026, 05:47:57 PM

After seeing it, I thought 3D printing might be an option. Might have to see if I can CAD something up.

It's hard to find them with those stupid mounting posts still intact. I don't think any of the ones I have onhand are unbroken.

Mine still has both mounting posts, but all but 2 of the little posts for the boot retaining ring are all missing. I think I have some little studs left that I can weld onto this one with my stud gun dent removal tool, and shape up some mounting posts and weld them on. Should be plenty durable.

I do think if someone were to design and print these it could be worthwhile.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #288 – January 20, 2026, 09:08:37 PM

I’ve got more time in this than I care to admit, but a coat of primer and some vinyl and it may just work out. Vinyl should be here Friday, ordered 4 way stretch vinyl from Sailrite. The factory shift boot works with the opening moved.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #289 – January 20, 2026, 10:59:34 PM

That looks pretty good! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #290 – January 21, 2026, 08:42:53 AM

That looks amazing! I almost feel bad that you are covering it up.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #291 – January 23, 2026, 07:19:12 PM

Some console lid repairs. Both spots where the hinge screws on were broken. Roughed it up a little and used some 3M 8115 to remake mount.

The original plan was to use black interior paint on the lid, but I ordered plenty of black vinyl for the shift bezel, so I gave it a go. The first try failed because the upholstery adhesive wouldn’t stick to the original red vinyl. Some 80 grit on the DA and some hand sanding around the edges solved that. Few wrinkles but fairly pleased with the results. Hopefully it holds up.

Compared to the lid, the shift bezel was fairly easy to cover. Other than it sits up just a bit from the vinyl wrapped around the edge it turned out well.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #292 – January 27, 2026, 02:16:21 PM

Looks amazing!

Are you planning on keeping the seat belts red?

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #293 – January 27, 2026, 08:18:27 PM

Quote from: Mikey97D – on January 27, 2026, 02:16:21 PM

Looks amazing!

Are you planning on keeping the seat belts red?

Thanks!

I have the right color grey belts for the front retractable ones, and dark grey belts for the back seat, which I expect won’t see much use. These seats are temporary until I get the original red seats recovered, probably very close to how these look now. I have new fox mustang grey plastic covers on order from LMR, going to try to make those work for the belt latch part attached to the front seats. I think these red belts in the grey plastic covers are original to the cougar they came out of. Going to try to spray these red ones with the SEM interior paint I have once I get the new covers figured out.

I’ve got a 4 hour round trip planned tomorrow morning to pick up the windshield. Hopefully I get it home ok, I probably jinxed myself as I already have the local glass company scheduled to put it in Thursday afternoon.

Other than that, just been taking care of some loose ends here and there. Started final sanding on the header panel, I’ll be spraying that and the spoiler and a few smaller pieces when we get out of this deep freeze in a week or so.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #294 – January 28, 2026, 09:35:49 AM

I'm pretty sure that they used whatever color for the receiver side in the Tbirds, as they were originally covered by the plastics.
I've run into red or other color receivers on grey interior cars a few times.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #295 – January 28, 2026, 10:25:07 AM

Keeping my fingers crossed for you on the windshield.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #296 – January 28, 2026, 10:15:46 PM

Got the windshield home without issue. I increased my odds by taking my Moms Subaru instead of my old f150, I’m sure the crossed fingers didn’t hurt either.