digitalpro5
Member
- :
- 2003 Blackmica Protege5
There is a GB for the dash kit here http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95168&page=1&pp=15'
I ordered the Protege 99-03+ Kit #2 In Chrome (Obviously I got a Protege 5 so I bit the bullet to try to see if it'll fit). At the end of this long review, you'll read some oberservations that I have seen.
I got the chrome version and I really dig the look of it. The material itself is very flexible. From what I can observe is that the top part itself is like vinyl but looks to be resistent to scratches, but we'll see if it holds up to real world tests. Overall its much thicker then any sheet of vinyl for sure, and the rubber buttom part is like a thick black tape. Hard to describe but I'm satisfied at the material itself. I was actually thinking it would be less flexible but this thing can conform to any shape. Overall thinkness of the dash trims is about 3-4mm (guesstimating).
As for "dry fitment" everything lines up quite nicely. When this is correctly installed I'm sure the fitment would be even better. One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a full replacement of the OEM pieces but are to accent the pieces. They do not fully cover the OEM pieces but conform 90-95% of the shape. There was nothing that I can see that would be considered a fitment issue, except for things that are due to me having a Protege 5.
If you happen to get the Kit#2 for a regular Protege from 1999-2000 Everything will fit just excellently!
But...I believe this to be true, that if you order Kit #2 for 2001+ Proteges this includes the P5. That the center radio console will not fit ours, this is due to the fact that 1999-2000 and 2001+ Proteges/5s have different center consoles. What I mean is that in the diagrams from the manufacturer and from this GB is that the center console that is shown in the diagram is for only the 1999-2000s. If you look closely the buttons for the AC and the Defrost buttons are different in those from the 2001+. So I bit the bullet for you guys and found out the hardway that they are different. I am hoping to hear from evolv if there is a version for the 2001+ Proteges. Remember I don't know this for a fact, but from researching and seeing the differences, I'm pretty sure us 2001+ owners are screwed for that piece of the kit.
Next piece that I'm not quite sure about is the glove box handle piece. The piece itself is a one piece. From the size and shape of it I assume it goes over the glove box latch. But maybe due to the difference with the 99-00 and the 01+s that this will not fit because on my latch is a key hole and the latch itself is divided into two parts. Left side has the key hole, and the right side is just blank. If this piece is suppose to go under the latch, well then we have no issues with this piece.
The kit came with the non power window trim and the power window trim. From observations this can fit any 99+ Proteges/5s. Fits mine of course.
Even though I have only experience from kit #2, but I believe that all pieces are the same and there is no preference in what protege you have. The only exception is the radio center console and the glove box latch piece.
Since there is no frame of reference on how this is really suppose to look like, all we have is what mine would look like installed. So far I've searched car domain and here of course and found no visual reference on how this really would look like. From my "dry fitment," this dash kit looks good to me. Now I kinda wish I got the black carbon fiber so it'll match my shift plate.
If my observations about the interiors of the 99+ Proteges are wrong please let us all know. Because other then the center console everything is the same. Oh I do know that there is a difference on the cup holders, early models had the two piece with a cover, while later models 03's are just one piece.
Excuse some of my finger smudges, high reflective items tend to show it up so much. As far as pricing I say for precut dash trims that is better then regular vinyl dash trims this is good for the $130 shipped I paid, though the center radio console won't fit my Protege5, and most likely won't fit 01+ Proteges, but will fit 99-00 Proteges nicely as I have confirmed from a friend who has one.
I ordered the Protege 99-03+ Kit #2 In Chrome (Obviously I got a Protege 5 so I bit the bullet to try to see if it'll fit). At the end of this long review, you'll read some oberservations that I have seen.
I got the chrome version and I really dig the look of it. The material itself is very flexible. From what I can observe is that the top part itself is like vinyl but looks to be resistent to scratches, but we'll see if it holds up to real world tests. Overall its much thicker then any sheet of vinyl for sure, and the rubber buttom part is like a thick black tape. Hard to describe but I'm satisfied at the material itself. I was actually thinking it would be less flexible but this thing can conform to any shape. Overall thinkness of the dash trims is about 3-4mm (guesstimating).
As for "dry fitment" everything lines up quite nicely. When this is correctly installed I'm sure the fitment would be even better. One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a full replacement of the OEM pieces but are to accent the pieces. They do not fully cover the OEM pieces but conform 90-95% of the shape. There was nothing that I can see that would be considered a fitment issue, except for things that are due to me having a Protege 5.
If you happen to get the Kit#2 for a regular Protege from 1999-2000 Everything will fit just excellently!
But...I believe this to be true, that if you order Kit #2 for 2001+ Proteges this includes the P5. That the center radio console will not fit ours, this is due to the fact that 1999-2000 and 2001+ Proteges/5s have different center consoles. What I mean is that in the diagrams from the manufacturer and from this GB is that the center console that is shown in the diagram is for only the 1999-2000s. If you look closely the buttons for the AC and the Defrost buttons are different in those from the 2001+. So I bit the bullet for you guys and found out the hardway that they are different. I am hoping to hear from evolv if there is a version for the 2001+ Proteges. Remember I don't know this for a fact, but from researching and seeing the differences, I'm pretty sure us 2001+ owners are screwed for that piece of the kit.
Next piece that I'm not quite sure about is the glove box handle piece. The piece itself is a one piece. From the size and shape of it I assume it goes over the glove box latch. But maybe due to the difference with the 99-00 and the 01+s that this will not fit because on my latch is a key hole and the latch itself is divided into two parts. Left side has the key hole, and the right side is just blank. If this piece is suppose to go under the latch, well then we have no issues with this piece.
The kit came with the non power window trim and the power window trim. From observations this can fit any 99+ Proteges/5s. Fits mine of course.
Even though I have only experience from kit #2, but I believe that all pieces are the same and there is no preference in what protege you have. The only exception is the radio center console and the glove box latch piece.
Since there is no frame of reference on how this is really suppose to look like, all we have is what mine would look like installed. So far I've searched car domain and here of course and found no visual reference on how this really would look like. From my "dry fitment," this dash kit looks good to me. Now I kinda wish I got the black carbon fiber so it'll match my shift plate.
If my observations about the interiors of the 99+ Proteges are wrong please let us all know. Because other then the center console everything is the same. Oh I do know that there is a difference on the cup holders, early models had the two piece with a cover, while later models 03's are just one piece.
Excuse some of my finger smudges, high reflective items tend to show it up so much. As far as pricing I say for precut dash trims that is better then regular vinyl dash trims this is good for the $130 shipped I paid, though the center radio console won't fit my Protege5, and most likely won't fit 01+ Proteges, but will fit 99-00 Proteges nicely as I have confirmed from a friend who has one.
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