3D Printed Console Skeleton

[Fierofool]

Georgia Fieros is receiving a 3D printed console skeleton for evaluation to the vendor and inclusion in a club newsletter.  Ralph nor I know of anyone offhand needing a replacement.  If anyone is willing to take this product, assemble, install, and give an in-depth comparison to the stock unit and evaluation plus write an article for the club newsletter, let one of us know. 

[SpadeCustoms]

I would honestly say that everyone could use a replacement. I doubt any of our skeletons are in "pristine" shape after 30+ years.    I have seen all the posts about the individual making them, would be neat to see it in person.

[Fierofool]

It should arrive at my doorstep tomorrow or Saturday.  Matt wants someone to do a review and writeup for our newsletter, probably because the newsletter goes out to about 100 people, so that's pretty good coverage including our message board readership. 

[Wreck It Ralph]

I actually have his in my car and a spare one on the shelf for if I ever get another fiero.

[Fierofool]

He said he had made some modifications based on responses to earlier production.  Probably very slight. 

[AJ_87Fiero]

He said he had made some modifications based on responses to earlier production.  Probably very slight.

Can you post a pic once you get it?

[Fierofool]

I will.  I believe it comes in 3 sections from what I recall reading elsewhere.  It was supposed to be here today and apparently, the tracking shows it was delivered.  The mail lady is a personal friend, so if she had it on her truck, it would have gotten to me.  Maybe tomorrow.

Still looking for someone to review it and do a write-up. 

[Wreck It Ralph]

I gave him a lot of feedback. Jimmy’s 88 needs a new one. I’ll see if he is interested

[Raydar]

I saw one of his posts on FB.
He's working on a front section with relocated mounting points, for folks who want to install a double-DIN head unit, and move the heater controls to the bottom.

[Fierofool]

It arrived today.  I've unwrapped it and it looks to be very sturdy.  Four pieces.  It looks like once it's all assembled that you could pick it up at any one point and it would be sturdy enough to hold straight outward.  Every factory unit I've ever handled had to be supported on both ends to prevent breaking. 

[PK]

There is such a big advantage to these 3D printed items for those of us stuck out from the main areas of parts availability.

Get file, print "locally"! And the jobs a carrot.

[Fierofool]

I have fully unpacked the skeleton and it appears that all pieces are of a very solid construction.  I've not inventoried all the fasteners, but it's assumed that all required parts are included for the assembly of the pieces. 

Here are pictures of the pieces, in order from front to rear as would be viewed from the passenger side of the vehicle.

These pictures are just a preview of the product.  They will be passed to another who will do a more in-depth review and writeup. 



Front View



Rear View.  Note:  This doesn't have the metal support for the rear of the radio as the stock skeleton has.  This skeleton is sturdy enough, and with the brass threadserts supporting the radio, the rear support probably isn't needed.  This also allows for a deeper aftermarket radio install. 

[Fierofool]

[Raydar]

I have fully unpacked the skeleton and it appears that all pieces are of a very solid construction.  I've not inventoried all the fasteners, but it's assumed that all required parts are included for the assembly of the pieces. 

 This doesn't have the metal support for the rear of the radio as the stock skeleton has.  This skeleton is sturdy enough, and with the brass threadserts supporting the radio, the rear support probably isn't needed.  This also allows for a deeper aftermarket radio install. 

Everything that I've read about this piece would seem to indicate that it is quite solid.

The rear radio support is frequently in the way of aftermarket radios. It is obviously useful for factory radios, as part of the mass production process, but persons installing aftermarket radios frequently break out that support for clearance, anyway.
Anyone doing such an install is probably capable of coming up with something to support the bottom/rear of whatever head unit they are installing.

All of that aside... Based upon the threaded inserts (among other things), I can't imagine that this piece couldn't help but be superior to a factory piece. Nevermind a well-used "nursed along" factory piece. 

[Wreck It Ralph]

I installed one in my car and love it. Required slight modifications but went pretty smooth