I have an 05 TL with extremely low mileage and a mint exterior. However, some of the interior is pretty beat up. For example, the front console (the metal garnish that runs along the sides, the leather arm rest, the various panels, the select lever and its metal console, the cup holder assembly, etc), the leather on the steering wheel and the audio/cruise/phone buttons, etc etc.

This is all merely aesthetic, but with the car looking and running so sweet everywhere else, I'd like a cockpit that matches. I've found all of the parts that I desire on both acuraoemparts.com and curryacuraparts.com and intend to order them from there (~$1,500 for about 20 parts).

My question is, how difficult will this stuff be to install? I've never done anything like this before, but am exceptionally patient and good at following directions. Is there any hope that I can do the job on my own without running into problems? Are directions available?

Otherwise, where's the best place to go for a job like this? A dealership is obviously an option (though probably the most expensive one), but can I trust my neighborhood mechanic to do the job right and not break anything?

I sincerely appreciate any feedback that you can offer. Thanks!

 

Droided,

You might check at some local Salvage Yards to see if they have a TL with the interior you want. It might save you a ton of money before you buy brand new.



Also check out this thread....

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/how-remove-carpet-interior-877907/

 

If you don't mind your interior being slightly non OEM, you can:
-either recover with vinyl (carbon fiber or what you like) the metal console strips. Conversely, you can buy a CF interior kit for this purpose or paint the strips as some have done here.
- use a steering wheel cover like Wheelskins.com type, or have the wheel professionally recovered from Dallassteeringwheel.com- probably $200 or so, and you can make it thicker than OEM and choose your leather color.
- for the center armrest, Redlinegoods.com makes a padded rest in your choice of color and padding thickness. You can also customize it in terms of color and accents.

The other parts you seek (like the switches and shifter surround) can then be sourced new by Acura if you want. It's better than spending $1500 and having it look like OEM. For that money, you might want it to look quite a bit better than OEM, and you can do this for a lot less than $1500. Just a thought.

The parts removal is actually pretty easy. There's plenty of threads on here how to take parts off, including the one above. Get a good set of interior panel removal tools. I have a set I really like and paid $13 from Harbor Freight.

 

Thanks guys, that info is really helpful. Looks like this is something I may be reasonably capable of doing myself.

erdoc48 - Would you mind sending me the link for the tool set you bought from Harbor Freight? I'll definitely look into the customization options. However, an OEM leather steering wheel for my TL is ~$180, so recovery doesn't seem worthwhile. Thanks!

 

Here it is- plastic and won't harm the finish of the panels - and it's nice and cheap:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

 

I had the same issue with my car when I first got it, especially with the center console trim. Here is mine before and after. It has gone from an eyesore to one of the most complemented parts of my car. I only wish I had known about in when I had my first TL.

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03d81689.jpg

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3aa0b081.jpg

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...pse61c5b69.jpg

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...ps131cc8c5.jpg

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10931cf3.jpg

 

That looks great! How long did it take you to disassemble the console and replace the parts?

 

The metal strips take all of thirty seconds to remove lol. You can use the trim tool kit, or a butter knife with a towel wrapped over the tip. Twist the knife to pry the trim up near the cupholder, then just slowly work your way up, pulling firmly on each clip. There should be a thread in the garage for it!

 

Hey OP, i'd love to see a before and after for this when you get it completed..

 

I've done some trim work in my interior... check out this thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/opinion-scotchprint-1080-wrap-finish-interior-trim-876104/
Good luck.

 

^Ahh see I like the plain black wrap much more then the dinoc for interior pieces. Good job.

Still not as sexy as say NBPed pieces though.