What's this on the dash?

The VW part is an excellent item, robust and highly functional! It is smaller than the "rectangle" recessed into the top of the dash.It is 20cm x 15cm x 4cm deep.This is not a problem, because I will make a small frame that it will mount into. This frame will then be fixed with adhesive to the underside of dash opening. I "bit-the-bullet" and carefully cut round the rectangle on the top of the dash. I did this using An "Expo" razor saw set, code : 735-44. I adopted a drawing action, pulling towards me, using the first tooth of the saw blade. With care, I was able to cut out the rectangle intact and with no damage or debris (I used a vacuum cleaner frequently) These razor saws have very narrow blades and when the rectangle was temporarily refitted, it was difficult to notice that it had been cut-round! So what did I then discover? Well, there's plenty of room for the tray at the front 50% of the opening (nearest the air-vents), but only about 1.5 cm of depth at the back (nearest the windscreen). This was because there are two air-ducts located there. I can either remould them with a hot-air gun, or cut them and rebuild with plastic strips to a suitable profile to allow the new tray to be fitted. (I'm sure that there will still be adequate cross-sectional area for flow to the front, central air-vents) I'll fit it eventually, that's for sure! Then it's the hinging of the lid (the removed dash rectangle) and locating a suitable catch (press to release/lock) ... "Radio Spares?" I am hoping that the end-result will be that it would be almost imperceptible that the dash has this additional storage feature. Also, this tray (which has a forward sloping side for easy removal of objects), would easily hold a Sat-nav.If this was attached to the pivoting lid with "velcro", then you would have a similar system to the current Audi A1 Oh, the dash rectangle that has been cut-out is quite strong and rigid, and where the cut has been made corresponds to a thicker lip of material. I guess that there won't be too many members doing this mod, either? LOL! Oh well .... gives me a challenge, I suppose?

David
 
I'm fairly sure there's a lidded version of the Polo cubby.

Ah, found a pic (I don't know the part number though);

Polo lidded cubby.jpg



I've also seen this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190789469602?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Good work on cutting your dash, I know it will end up working well because it has to once cut ;)

A thought regarding putting a portable nav in there, some of the Blaupunkt ones can be connected to the headunit via the phone plug to use the radio for tmc reception and to play the directions through the car's speakers.
 
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Looks like part numbers 6Q0 857 465 C (before 11.2007) & 6Q0 857 465 D (after 12.2007) are the ones to look out for.

Andy B
 
I'm fairly sure there's a lidded version of the Polo cubby.

Ah, found a pic (I don't know the part number though);

View attachment 11953


Well I like this version for just one reason .... and that's the lid mechanism! So the way forward would be to cut the lid away from this version with a "Dremmel" and attach the cut-out rectangle from my dash, with powerful adhesive. I now need the actual VW part number for the lidded version ... Thank you for your words of encouragement, Guys! Oh, some time ago I remember that Mike (Skipton) expressed some concerns over dash rigidity if that rectangle was to be cut out ... so I can say that I have not experienced any effect on dash integrity in the form of squeaks, rattles, since doing this ..... Oh, your thoughts on how to re-contour those ducts? Heat gun or plastic pieces/adhesive?

David
 
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6Q0 857 465 is the part number for the lidded version. Do a google on this code and you'll see a couple of pics and the aforementioned pdf fitting guide.

Cheers,

Andy B
 
But it appears the lidded cubby is a lot deeper than the non lidded one and will probably cause more of a headache when fitting see following pdf for (not sure if the link will work mind) http://boomerangair.com/VWPoloGTi/9N3PoloDashCubbyInstall.pdf

Andy B

The link works fine, very informative :cool:
It looks like the lid mechanism adds a bit to the depth at the back :(
I'm trying to remember the underside of the dash but I think the middle vents are supplied by a removable duct that fits the screen/other bits attached to the dash, and I'm thinking the Polo is probably a similar concept and may be shaped to accomodate the tray. I'll try and find pics.
 
Those two ducts seem to be strapped to the underside of the dash .... they feel pretty solidly secured, to me .... I hadn't thought to try the VW Polo ducts instead of the A2's .... good thinking, that! There is room around there for a differently shaped duct (although that securing strap/bracket would have to be cut away) ... Access isn't too bad, though. I do so like a challenge! LOL! Hey, if the dash was out of the car, then this would be a doddle! As always, care and attention to detail are essential to achieve a good final result!

David
 
A minor progress report ..... and some useful information! Firstly, the lidded version of the cubby is a definite no-no! The mechanism on the L.H.S. would mean that you would have to cut-away most of the air duct, to fit it successfully! Neither would the VW Polo ducts be of any use, either! The path of the Audi A2 ducts is unique and they go through a steel "window" which is an integral part of the dash, itself! The non-lidded tray is perfect for mounting into the aperture. Using a heat-gun to melt and remould the ducts is not advisable because the duct plastic needs a fair amount of heat and is not very flexible. I marked the two ducts and then cut out the appropriate section(s) with a sharp Stanley knife. It cut easily and after some minor adjustments, the tray sat perfectly in position, with the top edge just below the lower edge of the aperture. This meant that the removed rectangle sat perfectly flush with the top of the dash. I feel that, if you've got a black dash, then the open tray on its own would look perfectly acceptable .... I estimate that there is probably no more than a 20-25% reduction in total flow volume with the modification to those ducts. I placed the tray temporarily in position and tried the ventilation system ..... it seemed more than enough, to me! ..... and that was without full sealing! I am currently sealing the ducts where they have been modified. I am using the thin plastic section of a milk-carton. I have made thin cardboard templates and I have found that if the plastic "sheet" is scored with a Stanley knife, it can easily be bent at right-angles. It is also possible to make a few mm's of lip to further aid the sealing of the opening in the duct(s). I will finally go over everything with tough, highly adhesive, fabric tape. I will fabricate a frame from black plastic (paint-roller tray), and glue it to the underside of the dash aperture. The tray will the sit on this and allow a lid to fit flush with the top of the dash. I then need a spring hinge (for the back, centre of the lid) and a push-catch. Some difficulty locating these items! I have tried "RS" ... they have plenty, but they are far too large! There is one on the waste-bin in the kitchen ..... it would cost too much to vandalise it though! I had a small, portable CD player, once, with a suitable release catch .... press to close/press to release .... Come on you Guys! Help me to locate some suitable parts! I am taking photos along the way .... I will show them to you when the project is finished!


David
 
Yes, there is a reasonable amount of space in the recess .... it is about 4 cm deep and the cubby is of a quite strong and rigid construction. An internal pivoting plate with a screen attached would work, I think .... certainly a Sat-Nav would go in there!
I asked for help with that miniature catch and a spring-assisted hinge?

David
 
2001 on Sharans (when they changed the shape of the dash) have a larger version of the Polo lidded cubby as standard, they should be easier to find than the Polo one (I presume Galaxy and Alhambra ones are the same).
 
The Touran also has a pop-up cubby in the centre of the dash... springs up, push-to-release catch, etc.

Tom
 
As I have intimated, any "pop-up"/lidded versions from a VW source will not be suitable for fitting. This is because the mechanism is on the L.H.S. and is very deep. This corresponds to one of those air-ducts. You would end-up having to nearly cut it all away! However, should the mechanism have been centrally placed, then this would have been ideal! (There's nothing to get in the way of even a large catch, there!) This is also the best position for a wide(ish) rear, single spring-loaded hinge. Another reason for a single hinge is that the rear lid is curved .... two hinges would conflict! Again, I ask for knowledge regarding sourcing of a small, press to close/press to release, catch? .... and that hinge too?

David
 
I've had plenty of things to do (don't we all?) Finally got back to this "project" .... I have picked-up a portable CD player for 50p at a car-boot. It may provide a lid-release mechanism and a neat little mechanism which will hold the lid at an angle of about 45 degrees. The only drawback with the "CD" route is that it would result in a small button in front of the lid, and to the right. I had aimed for a completely concealed opening system, so that the tray would be secret ...... Well, it is my car, so "what-the hell" .... the button is quite small and discrete. Now ....... hinges? I don't need them! I drilled a tiny hole on each side and as near to the front edge as possible. I then inserted a 1.6mm brass panel-pin into each hole and cut then off so that there was about 3mm of protrusion. I drilled two corresponding location holes in the aperture in the top of the dash. Now, because the lid is fairly flexible, it can be bowed to allow the pins to be inserted into the locating holes. It works perfectly! The tray is sitting there, temporarily .... ventilation is fine .... the lid pivots beautifully .... the dash looks "original". Just the opening method is left to ponder .... A suitable "press to open/close catch is about £15 .... or should I use this CD player? I'll have a few photos to show you, when I've finished ....

David
 
Good work :cool:

I think you need to go for the £15 catch. It'll bug you otherwise, and getting something to match the lid to get rid of a hole won't be easy.
 
Good work :cool:

I think you need to go for the £15 catch. It'll bug you otherwise, and getting something to match the lid to get rid of a hole won't be easy.

Why would I want to do that? Oh, I see .... if I ever wanted to "go back to original"? No, I usually keep things for an Eternity! LOL! (I have a 190 model Mercedes that I've owned since 1995!) Well, the parts from the CD player ARE suitable. I've taken it to pieces and ascertained that the button/mechanism can, in fact, be centrally located, just in front of the lid. A big plus, however, is that I can glue a smaller, oval button on top of the larger one that opens the lid. This smaller button is what will then appear through the dash, just in front of the lid. I will colour-code it to the dash colour, too. It is going to look "the business"! You have got to think positive .... not working-out how you might have to be "filling holes" LOL! (although, as I write this, I've already done even that!) I can also use the little mechanism from the defunct CD player that holds the lid at about 60 degrees from open! I am looking for it to be raining heavily now, so that I've got an excuse for not working in the garden! LOL!
 
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