Ducato Dashboard vent Trim replacement

C33JAY

C33JAY

Free Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2019
Posts
191
Likes collected
709
Location
Somerset
Funster No
67,343
MH
Adria Twin
Exp
2 x years Travelling in Europe in our VW T6
Hi all

Has anyone attempted replacing the 4 x Airvents & Radio Surround for a different colour, Fiat do Silver & a Bronze colour kit which breaks up all the blackness on the dashboard.
Ive found a You tube video which is reasonable showing a dodge Ram van in the USA (Same Fiat van) but nothing else with more detail.
If anyone has done this have you any tips / advice etc

Thanks CJ
5 Cab (2).jpg
 
Completely off subject but I see you've got the new 9 speed auto, how do you find it and what HP is it mated to? I've got a new Malibu PVC with the new auto sat waiting for me in Germany, god only knows when I'll be able to collect it.
 
A word of caution - I actually painted the top part of the middle two vents matt black as they produced annoying reflections on the windscreen.
Reflect_Vents.jpg

The top image shows the effect I wanted to avoid and the middle one the result.
 
Had silver vents on our first van, hated them because of the reflections on the screen.

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Im looking at fitting the bronze colour ones which I believe dont suffer from the reflections :cool:
 
seakay22 said:
Completely off subject but I see you've got the new 9 speed auto, how do you find it and what HP is it mated to? I've got a new Malibu PVC with the new auto sat waiting for me in Germany, god only knows when I'll be able to collect it.
Click to expand...

Hi

I picked my MH up just before lock down so ive only drove 14 miles so I cant help you much, I drove it Home from the dealership and thats where it has stayed on my driveway.
However I did drive it part Motorway and twisty country lanes, and it is as smooth gear change has ive ever experienced with an Auto box and every bit as smooth as my previous VW T6 with a 7 x speed DSG box probably smoother, mine is married to a 140 bhp which is fine and im happy with it although im sure the 160bhp and 180bhp will be better but perhaps less mpg.

RGDs CJ
 
C33JAY said:
Hi all

Has anyone attempted replacing the 4 x Airvents & Radio Surround for a different colour, Fiat do Silver & a Bronze colour kit which breaks up all the blackness on the dashboard.
Ive found a You tube video which is reasonable showing a dodge Ram van in the USA (Same Fiat van) but nothing else with more detail.
If anyone has done this have you any tips / advice etc

Thanks CJView attachment 383587
Click to expand...
I notice that above the two cigar-type sockets on the left, you have a remote control. Please can you tell me what this remote controls? I ask because we have such a control supplied with all our manuals etc but we have no idea of its purpose.
Thanks.
 
Ingwe said:
I notice that above the two cigar-type sockets on the left, you have a remote control. Please can you tell me what this remote controls? I ask because we have such a control supplied with all our manuals etc but we have no idea of its purpose.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Probably the rear camera monitor.....
 
Ingwe said:
I notice that above the two cigar-type sockets on the left, you have a remote control. Please can you tell me what this remote controls? I ask because we have such a control supplied with all our manuals etc but we have no idea of its purpose.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi The remote is for the reversing Camera :giggle: pretty pointless i think :giggle:

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C33JAY said:
Hi The remote is for the reversing Camera :giggle: pretty pointless i think :giggle:
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. I agree it seems pretty pointless! I've wondered what that little remote was for for over 5 years.
 
C33JAY said:
Hi all

Has anyone attempted replacing the 4 x Airvents & Radio Surround for a different colour, Fiat do Silver & a Bronze colour kit which breaks up all the blackness on the dashboard.
Ive found a You tube video which is reasonable showing a dodge Ram van in the USA (Same Fiat van) but nothing else with more detail.
If anyone has done this have you any tips / advice etc

Thanks CJView attachment 383587
Click to expand...
Yes I have. Didn’t use the Fiat ones but found some 3 party units via a google search. Really difficult to remove the existing but you just need to go against your instinct and pull like hell and eventually they pop out.
used silver and the look brilliant and make the dashboard less like a fiat van! In our A class no reflection on the windscreen at all. Bronze sounds neat and have bronze detailing on my car which sets it off well. Good luck, go for it. Be brave a pull!
 
We have the bronze inserts in our 2015 Hymer. They were specced by the dealer. Must admit I do not think they add much to look of the dashboard because they are so dark that they sort of blend in with the black. I would not have bothered paying for them.
 
Well Ive managed it with brute force and some care lol :LOL: I must say having taken quite a few dashboards apart from other brands over the years the Fiat unlike other brands uses all the same size screws so no forgetting what screw goes where (y) to be fair all brands might do the same now ??
FYI I had to remove the radio and the LAP TOP holder and the gear stick surround to install the large decorative surround in the middle. Well pleased with the result (y):cool:
Its a pity Fiat dont allow you to spec your van how you want it before its made into a Motorhome. My VW panel van which was made into a Motorhome was fully specced by me before it was transformed. (y)
Dashboard Blacknnp.jpg

Standard Dash in Black
Dashboard Bronze.jpg

Bronze kit all installed, its called Lounge by Fiat
 
Yes worth changing - well done. I misunderstood as I only changed the vent grills themselves - but still really happy with the results.

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C33JAY said:
Well Ive managed it with brute force and some care lol :LOL: I must say having taken quite a few dashboards apart from other brands over the years the Fiat unlike other brands uses all the same size screws so no forgetting what screw goes where (y) to be fair all brands might do the same now ??
FYI I had to remove the radio and the LAP TOP holder and the gear stick surround to install the large decorative surround in the middle. Well pleased with the result (y):cool:
Its a pity Fiat dont allow you to spec your van how you want it before its made into a Motorhome. My VW panel van which was made into a Motorhome was fully specced by me before it was transformed. (y)
View attachment 387969
Standard Dash in Black
View attachment 387970
Bronze kit all installed, its called Lounge by Fiat
Click to expand...
Looking very nice. was the kit a genuine Fiat part? Or was it one of the kits from eBay? I ask as I may do the same to ours (when it ever arrives) But when I did something a few years ago to my old transit the fit from eBay wasn’t exceptional.
 
C33JAY Been watching this thread with interest. I'm assuming from your post above that the silver trim just covers the basic black dashboard airvents?

I now just need to get up the courage to remove the silver ones mine came fitted with as I've got the same reflection problem.
 
Yorkshire Puds said:
Looking very nice. was the kit a genuine Fiat part? Or was it one of the kits from eBay? I ask as I may do the same to ours (when it ever arrives) But when I did something a few years ago to my old transit the fit from eBay wasn’t exceptional.
Click to expand...

Thanks (y) and Yes a Genuine Fiat Part so the fit is as you would expect perfect like for like replacement (y) I ordered from Mopar / Fiat site on line it was the cheapest I could find (y) https://moparstore.co.uk/customer/a...b3JlLmNvLnVrL2N1c3RvbWVyL2FkZHJlc3MvaW5kZXgv/

Rgds CJ
 
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Kraken said:
C33JAY Been watching this thread with interest. I'm assuming from your post above that the silver trim just covers the basic black dashboard airvents?

I now just need to get up the courage to remove the silver ones mine came fitted with as I've got the same reflection problem.
Click to expand...

These Fiat parts are not just covers they replace the black vents you see and the entire Vent mechanics behind what you see, so its a lot of plastic in boxes when ordered from Fiat.

Rgds CJ
 
Remove, spray the colour you want, replace? Using the correct primer/paint for plastic will give you the same result as replacing the vents and more colour choice.
 
Sorry but it looks like you have been to the scrapyard because you needed replacements and they only had brown. But it’s your van and you have it how you like it. Save the black ones for when you sell it.
 
tonyidle said:
Remove, spray the colour you want, replace? Using the correct primer/paint for plastic will give you the same result as replacing the vents and more colour choice.
Click to expand...
Indeed but I do happen too like this Fiat Colour so although a good idea and one I would of considered if this colour wasnt available.

Rgds CJ

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Can i have your black ones to replace our annoying reflective silver ones? :wink:
 
C33JAY thanks.

Probably not written well in my earlier post as my question was more regarding the silver vent trims. If these silver trims are removed does it leave the black air vents as shown in your photo before fitting the lounge trim?

Sorry if I'm being a bit thick?
 
C33JAY. Ignore my post as re-reading the entire thread I've realised you didn't start with the silver trims.

I'm still wondering if the silver vent trims are just a decorative cover on top of the original black dashboard vents? If anyone knows I would appreciate advice.
 
Kraken said:
C33JAY. Ignore my post as re-reading the entire thread I've realised you didn't start with the silver trims.

I'm still wondering if the silver vent trims are just a decorative cover on top of the original black dashboard vents? If anyone knows I would appreciate advice.
Click to expand...
If they are anything like the bronze ones that are also offered as a factory fir extra they replace the black ones not on top of them
 
peterc10 - thanks?

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