chippern73

Has anyone installed a dashboard kit for their LS 400? The kit I am referring to are the ones that have a woodgrain pattern printed on vinyl with adhesive on the back. They are cut for use around the vents, the heater controls, and the stereo head unit. One brand is Sherwood an cost between $125 to $150. My main concern are they easy to apply? I didn't find a how to or a thread to this topic. Thanks.

Moarpower

Interesting. Can you post a link ?

spuds

I did see a comment on craigslist (or was it TimmyOtools ad?) where an LS400 seller noted he had removed the horrendous aftermarket dash kit,FWIW.

chippern73

Here is a link to the Remin Dashboard kit for 1994 LS400. It is on the Carid.com website. Sherwood dashboard kits are no longer available for pre 1996 LS400. The Sherwood kits are made with real wood. Where as the Remin kits are a printed vinyl. They sell for between $135 and $175. I've been told the kits for around $40 are not worth it. The kits come in different pieces to fit around the stereo, the heater controls, vents and the over head controls for the moon roof, etc.

They do add additional looking bling in the interior however is it worth it. Your opinion is appreciated.

https://www.carid.com/1994-lexus-ls-...-17535045.html

creilly

I've spoken to someone recently about their Celsior that came to the US with one of these kits (or a custom job) on it. I don't really see the point of adding either fake or mismatched wood trim to anything, let alone a car that already has real wood trim. My conclusion was that the cost involved in grain matching and all of that such that it looks factory isn't really worth it. But it's your car and no one should be stopping you from changing it. If you're asking for scene points, you've probably picked the wrong car haha.

spuds

I'd put my money into an ECU rebuild and a coolant temperature sensor.Im a stock guy myself so my opinion is dont destroy the cars value with 'stuff' that has limited market appeal at best,and value destruction as most likely.

IF your car is 100% mechanically set,then if you want bling,do as YOU see fit.Only your vote and wallet is what counts.

Good luck.Enjoy your car and have a great forever.

chippern73

Thanks for your opinions. I realize now that even if it is a quality product if it does match correctly it would look silly. If I wanted to I could it all redone by a custom shop in Lad Angeles.

Clunkfish

My LS400 came with an aftermarket trim kit installed. It was made from real wood rather than printed vinyl, and was applied around the instrument binnacle, ignition key, vents, door trims - pretty much everywhere. However, it had not done well in the sun (even here in the UK!) and the lacquer was beginning to peel off in a few places, so I decided to remove it.

About a hundred man-hours and several cans of WD-40 later, the job was done. It was an absolute pig to remove, and wherever possible I had to remove the trim and work on it on a workbench. Putting the piece in a plastic bag and leaving it to steep in WD-40 overnight made the job a bit easier, but where that wasn't feasible I had to work on it in the car and just keep prying fragments off with a plastic spudger.

The problem is that although the lacquer wasn't that great, the glue used to fix the trim was amazing. You could use it to glue submarines together. It is waterproof, tough as old boots, extremely oil resistant and sticky as anything. Getting it off is a nightmare.

My advice would be to keep well clear of aftermarket wood trim and save your money, your fingernails and your temper as well as avoiding the long-term effects of WD-40 inhalation!

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

yep that was me!
I removed mine bc over time it shrank and pulled away from the sides plus it discolored.
looked very tacky after a few long years! it wasn't overly difficult to remove but it left a lot of residue...pretty much same experience as Clunkfish.