Volvo 480 Club Europe

Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:25 pm

Just a little success story of how 3D printing can save your world and how it is revolutionary to the classic car scene.

I bought this optional 480 graphic equaliser (EQ-6117) on the basis that a) it probably doesn't work and b) it had a missing button.

I am fully open to criticism that this is going in my dash "for show" but i'll take that beating



First of all measure and badly draw your item in MS Paint...



@Bray for an amazing 3D model as an *.stl file....



@Kira for then modelling the button in dual plastics to obtain the stripe...



Legends amongst us. It will sit in my dash with pride.

That looks amazing, couple of questions though, how is it used, and why would people criticise you for having it in your dash?

MisterH wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:37 pm

That looks amazing, couple of questions though, how is it used, and why would people criticise you for having it in your dash?

Well it should run in tandem with the original head unit via a crazy plug from the ark. Although I do have the original head unit, I'll be running a period Kenwood head unit - so the optional graphic equaliser is therefore sitting there doing nothing and 'fake' - hence the criticism

It will merely be installed as a visual treat - any car with a factory graphic equaliser is cool right?

Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:51 pm

MisterH wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:37 pm

That looks amazing, couple of questions though, how is it used, and why would people criticise you for having it in your dash?

Well it should run in tandem with the original head unit via a crazy plug from the ark. Although I do have the original head unit, I'll be running a period Kenwood head unit - so the optional graphic equaliser is therefore sitting there doing nothing and 'fake' - hence the criticism

It will merely be installed as a visual treat - any car with a factory graphic equaliser is cool right?

Yeah, where would it go then? After reading about it, it seems to clean up the radio signal?

MisterH wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:34 pm

Yeah, where would it go then?

The face plate is specifically shaped to occupy the cubby hole above the ashtray.

Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:53 pm

MisterH wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:34 pm

Yeah, where would it go then?

The face plate is specifically shaped to occupy the cubby hole above the ashtray.

Ah I see, it would be really cool to have

And only the coolest of cool mofos have them.

I believe the old head units were manufactured by some Japanese company so I think the Graphic Equaliser would fit some of their own stuff. My old CR-4025 sounds pretty good with external amp and graphic equaliser plugged in.

Lake's have some interesting single DIN Volvo stuff and usually only want 10-20GBP for them. Will take a look next time I am down incase there is some compatible with your cool accessory if you like?

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 31, 2020 11:51 am

And only the coolest of cool mofos have them.

I believe the old head units were manufactured by some Japanese company so I think the Graphic Equaliser would fit some of their own stuff. My old CR-4025 sounds pretty good with external amp and graphic equaliser plugged in.

Lake's have some interesting single DIN Volvo stuff and usually only want 10-20GBP for them. Will take a look next time I am down incase there is some compatible with your cool accessory if you like?

My philips unit in my car at the moment fits perfectly with the plugs in my car. I think the Volvo headunits were all licensed Philips products so I would advise those from the Late 80's

Yeah, I 3D printed the tabs and everything fit perfect. Until this morning I saw the top right corner of the dash had cracked. FML.

They all do that sir.... it’s a feature.

What I tend to do is remove as much of the “folds” of the fabric rear as possible. Then repair/rebuild as many of the mounting tabs as possible. Then fit fabric tape between the seam, as well as sponges in the upper part of the dashboard. Then tighten everything down just enough to nip tight.

It’ll still bloody crack I expect!

I'm considering just adding some putty in the crack and having the whole thing wrapped in vinyl, just like the door pockets (both cracked on mine before I bought it, didn't show up in the pictures, that...) after some solid reinforcing, of course. Other bits too, like the parts around the gear lever and handbrake, or the sides of the seats, which are rather plasticky. The car mostly lives underground so I expected my "mint" dash to last for quite a bit. Felt rather foolish!

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 23, 2021 6:20 pm

They all do that sir.... it’s a feature.

What I tend to do is remove as much of the “folds” of the fabric rear as possible. Then repair/rebuild as many of the mounting tabs as possible. Then fit fabric tape between the seam, as well as sponges in the upper part of the dashboard. Then tighten everything down just enough to nip tight.

It’ll still bloody crack I expect!

did somebody on here not use a 20 /25mm strip of PVC/vinyl held on with double sided sticky foam? at least it looked as if 'meant' to be there?

did somebody on here not use a 20 /25mm strip of PVC/vinyl held on with double sided sticky foam? at least it looked as if 'meant' to be there?

Somebody did, but I can't find it now. I copied the idea on one of our cars but stuck it on with a re-positionable glue. It looks very neat and does indeed look as though it's meant to be there. The tape I used was double width with a fold, so it's on both sides of the dash edge - obviously you have to take the dash off to apply it which is why I've only done one so far. The advantages of this tape are that the inner part cushions the dash to help stop squeaks and further damage, and also it's easy to get it exactly positioned. I stuck one side at a time rather than try to launch into both sides, just keeping the edge of the dash slightly inboard of the crease.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in turning this



Into this?



I am looking for a couple or 3 people to try out my 3D printed repair before potentially making it more widely available.

eye of ra wrote: ↑

Mon May 03, 2021 9:41 am

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in turning this



Into this?



I am looking for a couple or 3 people to try out my 3D printed repair before potentially making it more widely available.

Hey, looks great! Where have you been? Good to see you on here again !

More than happy to try it out!

Great.

I can send you the two parts that will then need fitting. You will need a hacksaw or dremel, a drill with 5mm bit and ideally a spiral flute M6x1 tap (a normal tap may work but they are not great on plastic).

Or you can send me a broken washer jet and I will send you it back fixed.

PM me with your details and which of the above you would prefer.