I am installing my radio, and i kinda like the way it looks with out the downtubes, i was wondering if anyone had fabricated anything to cover the screws, or if anyone feels the same way?

 

I've been contemplating this too.

The dashboard faces have cutouts for the downtubes, so instead of removing them completely, I may just cut away the bottoms and taper them at the toggle switches... but what to do with the center console part that holds the bottoms of the downtubes? Cut them away for more leg room or keep them to hold your tater tots?

I'm waiting for warmer weather in order to take apart the console and start experimenting...

 

I'm all about new things. let us know if you fab something up. good luck! congrats on doing something new.
-Malcon

 

Lets see some pictures without the down tubes.

 

Where will you rest your leg then? I need the down tube to keep my leg and foot planted in the right spot. Driving a car without one feels odd and makes my leg tired.

 

Havent thought about the leg rest issue, but maybe ill give it a dry run, ill post some pics tomorrow.

 

Someone did a photoshop once of a piece that was U shaped to go where the tubes were. It didn't look that good. Now I like cantilevered buildings but the controls just hanging there don't look that hot. When I took mine out to re-finish them I saw drove the car a few times with them out and didn't like it.

The downtubes really plant the dash and center stack to the floor of the car visually and it just looks odd without it. I am not saying don't do it, I am just saying get your hands on an extra set or a good photoshopper before you cut yours up.

 

agreed. that would suck to be forced to upgrade to the Carbon fiber down tubes because you ruined your old ones.........

 

Do you mean this? It is a real mod by Yo'sDad, described here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-mod-ever.html

 

I too thought about this. I want to cut them a the base of the switches and then make caps for the bottom part. But then I just realized that I could put my Nav into one of the openings. I think that would be sweet.

 

i dont think the pics do it justice i think it looks better in person but, im gonna see how it feels when i drive, and im gonna try and get a plastic cover to hide the screws, anyone know where i could go for that?

 

A good custom stereo shop could probably fab something up in fiberglass.

 

FWIW
One of the original styling bucks for R50 did not have any downtubes.

It gave a more open feel but was rejected as looking too Japanese.

 

good idea

i think i will deveop this concept in the fall,
when other stuff will be happening to the car...