Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey,
I guess timing is everything!!! I was literally going to post this last night just at the time when I saw FLTRN404’s new post. I had a hard time with this installation and I thought people should know that although I like the results, this install was not a walk in the park!!

I bought the Sherwood Dash kit http://www.sherwooddash.com/ from: www.autoanything.com . The complete kit for the Hybrid I think was around $250. They do use a layer of real wood in their laminate and supposedly no two pieces are alike. The finish you see there is Rosewood, but they have a bunch of others.

Here is a schematic of all of the 29 pieces in the kit:


https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...6/7/8/2471.jpg

I’ve also taken pictures of where they were installed in and around my dash:

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...riversSide.jpg

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi.../8/Console.jpg

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi.../Passenger.jpg

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...8/Overhead.jpg



Here is a tip for Instrument panel piece. The thin piece that goes around the top is very delicate. Press the large base piece down first and then slowly work the trim around the top edge. Give the little piece a gentle tug as you go along. What happened to me was, I ran out of wood trim piece before I made it around the full curved edge. Then I tried to stretch it hard to finish and I ripped it. If you give it a little tug all throughout the edge, you’ll have plenty of slack by the time you reach the middle of the curve. All the other pieces are fairly straight forward.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...umentGuage.jpg

Also on the subject of ripped pieces: You can see in the photo below there is a non attached piece next to a packet of 3M adhesive prep. The reason I have extra pieces is: I had to buy the kit twice!!! Yup overall install cost was $500 (2 x $250). They don’t sell individual pieces. Also the adhesive on the back of each piece is very aggressive. The 3M adhesive prep makes your dash very sticky. If you misalign a piece as you place it on a prepped surface, you will more than likely rip the piece trying to take it off!!! Practice placement a couple of times with a piece before you prep the surface. When you are sure you have the placement down, prep the surface, peel the backing off and in the words of Sean Connery – “You must never hesitate!!!”

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...hesivePrep.jpg

Also - a note about the 3M adhesive prep. It is great stuff, it is very aggressive and I think it kind of dissolves your plastic dash a little to make the surface extra tacky. So when you are test fitting each piece (a couple of times) mark it with a pencil and prep only part of the dash that will be covered. Also, they give you 3 little pads for that entire kit!! How will you ever get it done??? The way to use the prep pads is to peel off the top of the foil wrapper and leave the pad inside foil envelope. Just let the yellow moist pad stick up like the top of an ice cream cone. The stuff is very volatile and evaporates quickly. You should be test fitting one piece, prepping its surface and installing. Then on to test fitting, prepping and installing the next piece. If you pull the yellow prep pads out of the foil envelopes, the stuff will be evaporated after only a few pieces have been installed.

Finally this is a flat kit. In order to get a flat piece to conform to a 3D shape like the door handle, they have to put a slit in the flat piece. Unfortunately the picture is blurry, but you can see the little seam right over the manual door lock. See schematic above and installed photo below. I think there are kits out there that say they have molded pieces. I would assume that the door pieces would be 3D and not have the slit in the finished installation. I’m not sure if the molded pieces were available when I installed this kit.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...oorDetails.jpg

This is one of those areas where I think I blew one of the installations - ruined a door piece and was glad I had a 2nd kit. I know this sounds like a lot of trouble but I like the finished product. Also, these pieces are on for good – the glue is not going anywhere!!! Finally, I did not know how hard this was to install so once I had a few pieces installed and started ripping others – I was committed!!! I could not have a half wood dash – so I bit the bullet and bought a second kit!! Hey if you buy a Sherwood Rosewood kit, I may have some pieces to back you up!!!

Also, I think I’ve mentioned a couple of my other Camry projects in this forum. All I can say is - learn to forgive your mistakes!!! The only people who don’t make mistakes are people who don’t try anything!!!

If you open a dash panel and end up cracking a plastic piece – go to MagAuto: http://www.magauto.com/default.asp?id=213710&catalogid=3408
Search through their exploded diagrams and buy a replacement: nothing can’t be repaired or replaced.

Jump in and have fun messing with your car. You’ll have a huge sense of accomplishment after you are done.

Randyman
By the Way, Sherwood now offers upgrade kits so if you do run into trouble, depending on the piece, you may not have to buy a complete set. Like I think they offer molded door handle trim pieces now as a stand alone item. Also various parts of the console kit are sold seperately as well.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

That is a very good looking upgrade. You have done a very professional install....:thumbs_up :thumbs_up

I have been looking around trying to decide which dash kit to use on my TCH. I need to see if Sherwood makes a kit without the "plug", PN 2455-02 in the schematic, for those of us without heated seats. I used one of their kits on a 99 Mustang and the "plug" they supplied for one of the switches just never looked right to me...

BTW what is that on your console below the shifter?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Looks good. What the heck is the knob thingy on the console?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Looks nice, but do you have two navigation systems?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Ok. Now I feel like an idiot and have decided that I will not venture into this mod....even though I really like it. I thought that the wood pieces replaced the existing trim. Now I see that they just install on top of the existing trim. Randy you want to fly to Illinois and do this one for me? Yours looks great.

By the way inquiring minds wants to know what that knob is by the gear shifter.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey - you guys have sharp eyes!!! That is the Harmon Kardon Drive & Play 2 Control knob and the little screen on top of the dash is the View Screen.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi.../7/8/DP2US.jpg

I personally think it is the safest way to drive and use your iPod. The knob navigates just like the iPod Wheel. You may be able to see in some of the close ups, you can display your song's album art!!

It is a little pricey $400, but other than that how can you scan the iPod screens, change playlists, pick songs etc. while driving. The iPod screen is so small. Basically you are stuck with a playlist until you can pull over.

This can be a problem – say you are blasting down the highway with some really hard rocking playlist. Traffic slows to a NY crawl. Are you going to try to change your playlist with the little iPod Screen to something more soothing as you realize dinner is now an hour of stop and go away??? My eyes are too old and this is how Camry’s get dinged up!!

I keep my iPod in the center bay, and the unit can plug into the accessory outlet and audio aux jacks.

Check it out: http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...P%202US&status=

Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks for your comments and for noticing,
Randyman

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Thanks for your comments Dan.
I would hate to have a problem with the install and end up making you buy two kits as well!!!

I replied about the Drive & Play knob above.

Let me know what you think!!
Randyman

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Thanks Wayne!!!

They are making a couple of different kits and some of them are upgrade kits - so you don't have to buy all of the pieces. You may be able to get the console piece without the plug.

Since you installed a Sherwood kit before did you have the problems I had – or am I just a spaz!!!!:embarass:

I replied about the knob above.

Good luck,
Randyman

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

I usually listen to AM talk radio (WFAN), but yesterday, I was listening to FM and Queen was on, so I turned up the sound...a lot. The rear view mirror was vibrating! Very cool!

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

I am a business consultant and for a year I had to fly into Rochester and drive 3 hours into this one horse town. I have to admit, an open road and the right song - it is definitely one of the under rated pleasures in life!!! :)

Randyman

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Well I didn't buy two kits like you did...I just ended up with a few "extra" parts left over...:embarass: and some very glossy burlwood toothpicks!:omg: Fit twice and stick once is the mantra for this install...

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

That explains the really nice Rosewood coasters I have!!!! ;)

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey Randy,

I was actually being sarcastic. No way would I expect someone to come down here and do something like that.

Below is a link to a device that installs on the rear of the head unit and allows for full control of the IPOD through the radio\nav and works with the steering wheel controls. I am saving up for it as I have a nice sized "wish" list.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...8765QQtcZphoto

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey Dan,

That is pretty cool. I installed a similar one, but it used the Satellite Radio input cable and controlled using the Satellite Screen. That one seemed a little impractical because the big Preset Station Buttons were used for the 6 playlists and the song title and artists were tiny letters on top of the screen.

The photos from the manufacturer look like the CD screen was a better choice.

Good Luck and start a thread once you get it installed!!
Randyman

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

FYI Supposedly it is recognized as a second CD player. It will have it's own screen so won't use up space or options from anything else.

And now back to our regularly scheduled topic!!!

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hi, I install kits professionally for new car dealers and I agree the Camry kit does have some difficult points of installation. Especially around the doors panels. If your not careful you can cause the inside edges to ripple around the opener. A molded dash kit is more suitable for the camry. However sherwood's molded kit does not fit the hybrid without purchasing flat upgrade kits. Or you can purchase the flat kit 2471 and the molded kit 2491 which has the molded door panels. In my opinion the 2471 and 2491 is the way to go. The doors are really the only panels that need to be molded.

I'm suprised you weren't able to buy individual pc's. I offer individual pc's for a nominal charge to customers who purchase a sherwood kit from my website www.wooddashpros.com and have a mishap during the installation. I realize you bought real rosewood so there may have been a chance of color or grain variation but it appears minimal. With simulated materials 100% percent color match is not an issue when replacing damaged parts. If I can assist anyone with installation questions or kit options contact me.

Installation Video
http://www.wooddashpros.com/store/in...p=installation

Camry Gallery
http://www.wooddashpro.com/gallery/t...s.php?album=12

Discount Coupon
http://www.wooddashpros.com/store/in...scount_coupons

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

If you want replacements check out custom dash dipping!

http://www.wooddashpros.com/store/in...m_dash_dipping

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey Mark,

Thanks for replying. The guys I bought from basically sold everything, not just dash kits. So they were not about to take the time and stock or provide extra pieces. Like many things in life, this will have to go under "If I had only known"!! I had half a dash installed and I needed to finish. I did this about a year ago, so I am not sure why I did not find you guys. Then again, a year ago I did not know about this forum either. Now everyone will know they have options!!!!:)

You've set up a nice website and I hope business is good. I especially like the instrucitonal video - is that you or was it provided by Sherwood? BTW, what is "dipping"?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

The video is sherwood's. I did make a video for a manufacturer along time ago for training purposes. But I never got a copy. The sherwood video is good but needs to be more detailed in technique. I wasnt on the web a year ago. But I've been doing this for almost twenty years. Thanks, Mark

Dipping is a film transfer system that allows us to apply a film coating to any hard surface. The grain is suspended in a disolving sheet. When the sheet is place on top of water in a special tank the sheet disolves and the grain floats on the water, similiar to an oil slick. Then the part to be grained is pushed through the the grain and the water pressure from pushing the part through the water forces the grain around the part. The parts are then rinsed and after drying are clear coated.
When I first saw this process the first thing I had dipped were a couple shimano curado fishing reels.

http://www.wooddashpros.com/store/in...m_dash_dipping

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

OK - with regard to dipping? The pictures in your gallery look beautiful. Do people just leave you their cars and over a weekend and you treat various dash components?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Customers send the parts they want dipped to me for dipping. The turn around time is usually 5-7 working days once I receive the parts. Any parts that can be taken off the dash and swithces and buttons removed can be dipped. We have a core exchange program on some Toyota, Chevy and Ford models. We send the finished cores out to the customers and after they install them they send us the unfinished parts back. A core deposit is required and refunded once the parts are returned.
Thanks, Mark

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

I saw this process done on an episode of American Chopper. It was a pretty cool process and looked pretty easy.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Would anyone be interested in a wood dash installation get together. Anyone buying their dash kit from my website www.wooddashpros.com (sherwood dash kits) could meet at a designated time and park to install their kits. This would have to be for anyone in the southern california or anyone willing to drive to the orange county area. I would help anyone who needed help or tips with the installation. We could install the kits and BBQ. Just throwin it out there and would like some feedback from anyone who might be interested. Of course the deal would be incredible.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Can you give us an idea of how much custom dipping costs? Also if you have something that matches the stock trim in a 2008/09 xle?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

The cost is .90 cents a sq. inch. Measure the parts length x width.

For example a part that measures 4" x !0" is 40 sq. inches x .90 = $36.00

I dont have the 08-09 color match but the dark birdseye is similiar in color.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

I am not able to view Randyman's wood dash pictures. All I see is a small red X and a large white blank. I am able to view other pictures on other threads on the Greenhybrid forum. Can anyone advise me how I can view these pictures?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey Ralph - this happened on a couple of my other threads.

I basically uploaded my photo's to the site's "share" area and then I used the url's for the photo's in my threads.

I guess the site only keeps the photos for a few weeks.

Anyone out there with ideas on how to include pictures on a more permanent basis?

Do I have to host them on an independent site and then reference the url's?

Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks - Randy

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Thanks for responding Randy, I bought my car about 3 weeks ago and some of the modifications that you have done I would like to do also, Fog Lights, Wood Dash. I believe that I did see your pictures a couple weeks back, but I have tried many times to return but it failed to show the pictures. On the Sherwood kit, the door panel has a cut above the handle. How does the seem look, and how hard was it to get the wood to bend and meet up at that seam.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Not postive, but I belive photobucket allows permanent storage.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Looks like I know what I'll be doing tonight. I hope I still have all of those!!

Ralph - I'll have photos back up by tomorrow I hope.

Thanks Larry!!!!!

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey Ralph, hopefully I will have pictures back up by tomorrow.

As for the install, I think I blew one of the handles but then I learned enough to finish the rest OK. Just review the video link and remember to hit all of the pieces with a heat gun to soften them up. Practice a bunch of times and then prep, peel and stick.

Speak to you later,
Randy

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Hey guys, as for the door panels your better off not heating them to much. Just slightly then dry fit the part on to the panel and hold it their for a few seconds as the pc cools off it will hold the shape. Then you can stick it. I start around the switch as I hold the rest of the pc away from the panel. Then roll the pc into the bend and work it in and around the top edge.

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

I just installed a Sherwood dash in birdseye in my Camry Hybrid. I also added the birdseye steering wheel as well which is a very nice upgrade in my opinion. I randomly picked http://www.wooddashpros.com/ and was quite impressed by the buying experience. The owner, Mark, threw in a couple of free pieces and replaced one for a reasonable price after I made a mistake. His overall prices seem to be equal or less than other websites and his customer service is about as good as I could imagine. Check out my album for pics...

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...nc-albums.html

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

Did the kit include the pieces on the steering wheel?

Re: Sherwood Wood Dash Kit Installation
 

The original kit includes most of the door handle and radio pieces. There was an upgrade kit which include the trim around the speedo and above the clock (Mark gave me a good discount on this as he had extra pieces). Lastly, I added the steering wheel which is a completely new steering weel - you take off the old one and put the new one on with only the middle airbag portion staying put (a good thing about that is that the pieces on the steering wheel are much more firm which is nice considering the fact that your hands are regularly in contact with them).