[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

"My name is Martin, and I like wood trim."
(Wood Trim Lovers Anonymous introduction)

Some of you all may remember my first idea of using trim pieces from a Jaguar X-Type. Ultimately I found their curvature was too difficult to fit.

My second attempt uses trim pieces from a Lincoln Navigator. They are genuine wood applied to aluminum, same as Jaguar. I didn't want simulated wood, which is generally hydro-printed onto plastic, because it doesn't have the same depth.

These pieces are straight, beveled all around, with some curvature at each end. So far I've done the back but the front door inserts will get the same treatment.

Evidently these pieces aren't made for our cars, but their shape is sufficiently generic to somewhat approach a factory-ish look.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Front doors:

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

@GreenT, I'm usually opposed to dash kits because most of them are entirely flat, which is due to the manufacturing process. They just take a flat sheet of wood (or printed plastic, depending on the kit) and cut it.

There are very few "3D" kits though, for the most common cars.

I think dash kits never look factory-ish, which is the look I want. They have too many pieces. On that diagram for example, numbers 1 and 2 would be one piece if it was factory equipped; the two pieces of the kit make it look...well, like a kit.

That's why I like to use OEM pieces from another car, assuming they are sufficiently generic in shape. It's not perfect, but it's unique. And cheap! Junkyard price is $5 a piece for the Navigator trim.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Ive never taken off the trim panel in the doors. Does that just clip in like the ones in the back? Or do you have to take the whole door panel off?

You mean the cloth insert?

It's glued on. There is no opening behind it. Mine were extremely tough to get off with the thin backing part (which I destroyed in the process). But I've also seen a 300.000 mile junkyard Thunderbird where cloth and backing just pulled off easily.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

It being glued on is probably why I never have taken one off. Good to know. Thanks!

This is what they look like if they come off in one piece, cloth and backing.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Completing the look, in progress:

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Voilà.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Adding daytime pics. This final piece comes from a Mk4 Jetta but required some filing down in the corners. The wood trim project is complete (unless I find a Mark VIII wood/leather steering wheel).

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Small addition to the walnut theme. No laser-cut precision here, but I can live with the result. After hours of drilling, cutting, filing...a Jaguar XF genuine wood door panel trim becomes a Thunderbird light switch. I'll try to find adhesive icons for the switch positions (if anyone has a link?).

Work in progress:

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

what's next?!

Really want to do the PRND21 surround. But this is so much work...

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

The light switch protruding out

Good catch. I actually raised the light switch slightly with spacers to get that clearance. I agree that it isn't perfect, but I wasn't confident that I could cut a perfect hole without damaging the edges of the gloss finish. This way I just needed a smaller hole hidden under the switch.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

@XR7-4.6, after looking at it for a day...yeah, it isn't perfect. It just doesn't have the fit/finish of my other mods.

So I decided to go back to the stock light switch. Oh well. It was worth trying.