Installed my dash cubby tonight.

PlaneJob · Aug 16, 2011

Using this video :
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1905744/...content=retail&utm_campaign=ES1905744s_rVideo
I installed the dash cubby. I took out all of the "USA Bracket" pieces - there are 5 or so stainless steel pieces hidden in there.
Either the new cubby uses one additional screw more than the old panel, or I lost one. I rummaged around in my 'spare VW parts bin' and found a torx screw that was an exact match - here's to hoping the missing screw doesn't end up in my tire.
I recommend this for everybody - it's a great storage spot and the install is easy.

Rutch · Aug 16, 2011

I ordered the dash cubby from ECS a few weeks ago and it came with an extra screw along with all the parts. I've managed to lose that screw since then and haven't installed anything yet though. Hopefully I find it eventually, lol...

specsalot · Aug 16, 2011

Nice Vid - Looks like a great mod

TDIinMA · Aug 16, 2011

PlaneJob said:
Using this video :
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1905744/...content=retail&utm_campaign=ES1905744s_rVideo
I installed the dash cubby. I took out all of the "USA Bracket" pieces - there are 5 or so stainless steel pieces hidden in there.
Either the new cubby uses one additional screw more than the old panel, or I lost one. I rummaged around in my 'spare VW parts bin' and found a torx screw that was an exact match - here's to hoping the missing screw doesn't end up in my tire.
I recommend this for everybody - it's a great storage spot and the install is easy.

It looks like most of the labor is in disassembly. The video makes it look like most of those parts are discarded, is that the case?

ToeBall · Aug 17, 2011

TDIinMA said:
It looks like most of the labor is in disassembly. The video makes it look like most of those parts are discarded, is that the case?

Yup.

TDiSkater · Aug 18, 2011

Toeball, You got rid of the trademark crooked Use ULSD diesel sticker on the dash

Seriously looks cool. What's it big enough to hold?

PlaneJob · Aug 18, 2011

TDiSkater said:
Toeball, You got rid of the trademark crooked Use ULSD diesel sticker on the dash

That was one of the reasons I liked the cubby.

TDiSkater said:
Seriously looks cool. What's it big enough to hold?

I checked and a variety of .380s will fit in there nicely, one at a time, of course. Also a stack of fuel receipts will fit under the .380.

TDiSkater · Aug 18, 2011

Oh you Texans!

Fuel receipts could work.

ToeBall · Aug 18, 2011

PlaneJob said:
That was one of the reasons I liked the cubby.
I checked and a variety of .380s will fit in there nicely, one at a time, of course. Also a stack of fuel receipts will fit under the .380.

LOL. Was gonna say, wouldn't fit my Walther P99 even if I dremeled out a hole for the front to pass through and put it in sideways. I've got a Boberg XR9 on pre-order, so maybey that could fit.

I keep my work ID, gate card, and an SD card in there most of the time. It's actually not very big though.

PlaneJob · Aug 18, 2011

http://api.ning.com/files/-FQG0ZvCqU*G2TZ6bnEFdOfpQ50xheCeMxPp3yAW2Q-eSbQtn1NKj4VEVUp0iAtyqnSTq8UPGU-HV8Z0F0zomWyw*5Ltu0X*/XR9S_KelTec_P3AT_Overlaytext.jpg

it should work!

dataiv · Aug 19, 2011

It's odd the differences between US and Canada. Mine came with the dash cubby and that ULSD sticker that you're talking about that I guess was where the cubby is now, is a smaller version right under the dash illumination pot.

I wish the car came with the under seat drawers.

I quite like the dash cubby though. Good place for key cards, wallet sometimes, other keys that you don't need while on a trip, whatever.

TDiSkater · Aug 19, 2011

When I asked my sales guy why non-US cars had so many more great features. His reply was that VOA feels the TDI is bought by cost conscience Americans and most don't want to pay for these extras. Really? But we do like Velcro blocks apparently!

PlaneJob · Aug 19, 2011

The reason the Dash cubby is not included on US cars has nothing to do with price/cost/value unfortunately.

The US required the steel brackets to be placed inside of the dash to limit the forward movement of the driver's knees during a crash.

The brackets completely fill the space normally used by the drawer - also, the brackets block access to many of the relays and must be dis-assembled to gain access.

You can still ride a bicycle down the highway but you can't have a cubby in your dash! YAY Governement.

740GLE · Aug 19, 2011

where can you ride a bicylce on the highway?

trentf · Aug 19, 2011

Yep....US crash specs

PlaneJob said:
The reason the Dash cubby is not included on US cars has nothing to do with price/cost/value unfortunately.

The US required the steel brackets to be placed inside of the dash to limit the forward movement of the driver's knees during a crash.

The brackets completely fill the space normally used by the drawer - also, the brackets block access to many of the relays and must be dis-assembled to gain access.

You can still ride a bicycle down the highway but you can't have a cubby in your dash! YAY Governement.

I had a Mini Cooper several years ago, and I installed the "Parcel Shelf" as they called it which replaced the panel under the steering wheel. A very nice mod to say the least! The part was not an available option on NA spec cars and I had to order it through an aftermarket vendor the imported them. My local Mini dealer would not order the part when I asked.

meowguy · Aug 22, 2011

The US required the steel brackets to be placed inside of the dash to limit the forward movement of the driver's knees during a crash.

Hey, if they say they need brackets for US knees, why don't the Canadians also need them for their knees?

Might not be as many lawyers in Canada per capita.

CryoTech · Aug 22, 2011

too bad its so expensive for a little cubby

dmarsingill · Aug 22, 2011

740GLE said:
where can you ride a bicylce on the highway?

On any highway except interstate type expressways.

ie State highways, US highways...

Donald

Bugdoc · Aug 23, 2011

What tools are needed? Anything besides standard torx and allen wrenches?

TT71 · Aug 23, 2011

TDiSkater said:
When I asked my sales guy why non-US cars had so many more great features. His reply was that VOA feels the TDI is bought by cost conscience Americans and most don't want to pay for these extras. Really? But we do like Velcro blocks apparently!

And cup holders!

NukeIT · Aug 23, 2011

cant wait for my cubby to come in the mail... hoping to install it this weekend...

frugality · Aug 23, 2011

PlaneJob said:
The reason the Dash cubby is not included on US cars has nothing to do with price/cost/value unfortunately.

The US required the steel brackets to be placed inside of the dash to limit the forward movement of the driver's knees during a crash.

The brackets completely fill the space normally used by the drawer - also, the brackets block access to many of the relays and must be dis-assembled to gain access.

You can still ride a bicycle down the highway but you can't have a cubby in your dash! YAY Governement.

You're exactly right.

I design auto interiors for a living. There's a good reason for these regulations.

For the 50th anniversary of the IIHS, they did an offset-frontal crash of a '59 Bel Air and a '09 Malibu. The Malibu driver would likely walk away. The Bel Air driver would likely be dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

As a side note....have any of you visited foreign countries? Maybe not exotic locales like Canada. I mean Turkey, Argentina, Thailand... It makes you thankful for the restrictive building codes we have here.

NukeIT · Aug 23, 2011

Government regulations have done wonders for our safety.

But I have to hate big brother when it prevents me from having some pretty awesome cars as well. Alfo Ramero, Citroen, Peugeot, just to name a few.

TDIinMA · Aug 24, 2011

CryoTech said:
too bad its so expensive for a little cubby

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I really don't "need" the space, so it would be hard to justify the $100.

740GLE · Aug 24, 2011

it can be found cheaper other places OEMplus TMtuning i think, but it all then depends on shipping too.

Bugdoc · Aug 24, 2011

frugality said:
You're exactly right.

I design auto interiors for a living. There's a good reason for these regulations.

For the 50th anniversary of the IIHS, they did an offset-frontal crash of a '59 Bel Air and a '09 Malibu. The Malibu driver would likely walk away. The Bel Air driver would likely be dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

As a side note....have any of you visited foreign countries? Maybe not exotic locales like Canada. I mean Turkey, Argentina, Thailand... It makes you thankful for the restrictive building codes we have here.

I agree regulations of all sorts have been to our benefit. However, in this case I think this may be a response (dare I say knee-jerk

) to the less-than-optimal seatbelt compliance rates in this country. It appears this bracing would primarily benefit a non-belted person as they fly forward into the dashboard in a frontal crash. If true, religious seatbelt wearers such as myself would get little from the brace. Other examples of USDOT specifying more conservative engineering are airbags that deploy with more force, and a single intermediate tire pressure instead of normal and fully loaded pressures.

PlaneJob · Aug 24, 2011

Bugdoc said:
in this case I think this may be a response (dare I say knee-jerk)

heh heh heh

Durock · Apr 10, 2012

Curious am I, about this mod

Questions I have, yes, hmmmm. Questions I have….

It looks like this is a $75 to $100 mod. Plus some install time (1 hour, 2 maybe)

1) How well does the color match the rest of the interior?

2) How well is the fit of the kit parts?

3) How useful is the storage you gain (assuming you want to carry something other than a small caliber pistol)?

4) For those of you who install this kit, would you do it again now that you’ve had a chance to use it on a daily basis?

Lastly, Could some of you post pictures of what you use the storage cubby for?

Fixmy59bug · Apr 11, 2012

I'm not entirely convinced the dash cubby was omitted for crash standards....

First off all, the steel bracketery that is removed is much less forgiving and much less of a "crumple zone" than a couple plastic trim pieces.

Secondly, VWoA would NEVER allow sales of an accessory that would jeopardize crash standards. Even if it were hypothetically only for sales outside the US, it would not be advertised in the US accessory catalogs.

ToeBall · Apr 11, 2012

Fixmy59bug said:
I'm not entirely convinced the dash cubby was omitted for crash standards....

First off all, the steel bracketery that is removed is much less forgiving and much less of a "crumple zone" than a couple plastic trim pieces.

Secondly, VWoA would NEVER allow sales of an accessory that would jeopardize crash standards. Even if it were hypothetically only for sales outside the US, it would not be advertised in the US accessory catalogs.

No, it is due to crash regulations, but ones left over from the 80's. Regulations from back then required the airbag to protect occupants who weren't wearing their seat belts. My old 89 Benz 190D had knee braces built in which would hold you in place for the airbag to hit you in the face if you were in an accident due to the same regulations. Basically, if you don't wear your seat belt, don't do this mod, otherwise, it's fine.

Durock said:
Questions I have, yes, hmmmm. Questions I have….
It looks like this is a $75 to $100 mod. Plus some install time (1 hour, 2 maybe)
1) How well does the color match the rest of the interior?
2) How well is the fit of the kit parts?
3) How useful is the storage you gain (assuming you want to carry something other than a small caliber pistol)?
4) For those of you who install this kit, would you do it again now that you’ve had a chance to use it on a daily basis?
Lastly, Could some of you post pictures of what you use the storage cubby for?

I did do it again on my Golf R. I use it to store small items I don't want rolling around the interior. My work security badge, the gate opener for my subdivision, etc. You get used to having it that you really do miss it when it's not there. The kit's parts are all OEM so the match to the rest of the interior is perfect.

Installed my dash cubby tonight.

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