Modernizing Vintage Panels?

[hish747]

Hi All,

Is there a known range of how much it costs to convert vintage panel layouts to standard six? I'm not talking about glass/gps. Just getting the layout cleaned up. Are there any outfits that sell update kits that include the panel face and hardware needed? Do most folks who have done this do it themselves (their A&P) or send the plane somewhere to be done?

Hish

[Guest]

Lake Aero Styling has instrument panel kits, or if you or your A&P are skilled you can build your own.

Clarence

[Bob_Belville]

Hi Hish, I note you were looking at Cs and Fs last year. Did you find a plane?

[hish747]

36 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

Hi Hish, I note you were looking at Cs and Fs last year. Did you find a plane?

Hi Bob,

I bought into an Archer partnership because it was too good an opportunity to pass up. The Archer has been great as I work towards an instrument rating, but I'm still looking for the ability to efficiently go places faster. The Cs would be great values but the old panels aren't so good for someone just getting their IR I think. I have a potential partner in a Mooney if I can find the right one.

Edited May 28, 2016 by hish747

[Mooneymite]

After you look at the cost to re-panel, you might be money ahead to buy a later model C,  E, or F.  I think it was about '68 Mooney went with the more standard instrument layout.

[Bob_Belville]

9 hours ago, hish747 said:

Hi Bob,

I bought into an Archer partnership because it was too good an opportunity to pass up. The Archer has been great as I work towards an instrument rating, but I'm still looking for the ability to efficiently go places faster. The Cs would be great values but the old panels aren't so good for someone just getting their IR I think. I have a potential partner in a Mooney if I can find the right one.

I think you'll find that vintage Cs (& Es & Fs) have a great variety of panels. Even if they do not have glass, WAAS GPS or autopilots they well might have a 6 pack instrument panel. The 3 broad areas that affect the price and value of a vintage Mooney are the engine time, avionics & instruments, and over all condition of the airframe - mechanically, paint, interior. A C model with a run out engine, a minimal antique panel in need of paint and an interior and probably a long mechanical squawk list might be worth very little more than scrap value since an engine overhaul, a panel with modern avionics, and a paint job will cost the buyer about as much as the plane will be worth.

[glafaille]

I researched the panel issue during my recent Mooney M20C search.  The answer you are looking for is this:  About $2000 to modify just the left side of the panel using a Lake Aero manufactured replacement panel.  To modify both sides and center with an entirely new panel figure $5,000.  

The problem is; while you have it all a part what else will you do to run the price up?  Some of us are good at limiting expenses, some are not.

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, glafaille said:

I researched the panel issue during my recent Mooney M20C search.  The answer you are looking for is this:  About $2000 to modify just the left side of the panel using a Lake Aero manufactured replacement panel.  To modify both sides and center with an entirely new panel figure $5,000.  

The problem is; while you have it all a part what else will you do to run the price up?  Some of us are good at limiting expenses, some are not.

Yeah, I started out to replace a Narco HSI with an Aspen in myold E model. ~50 AMUs later... 

[mike_elliott]

Here is what 22AMU's would buy in 2008.

1. Aspen
2. GNS430W
3. PS 8000B
4. Garmin 496 and dock
5. both side panels
6. installation by TIm Mathison

 

 

 

[Bart Chilcott]

The best value can often be found in an aircraft where someone else has already done all the upgrading.  Avionics depreciate rapidly so letting someone else do a lot of the upgrades makes good financial sense and some real values can be found if you wait and shop for the right aircraft.  My panel and auto pilot was professionally installed by Aerotronics of Billings Montana at a cost of approximately three times the aircrafts value.  But when it came time to sell it, I was able to buy it for only marginally over the typical hull value.  

Edited May 28, 2016 by Whiskey Charlie

[Marauder]

Hey, it's only money. I don't regret it a minute. Shouldn't say that. I regretted I didn't do it earlier. When I fly with someone in a plane with a vintage panel, I feel so naked!

[RangerJim]

Hish,

A very clean NDH IFR 68 C with manual gear, a modern 430W panel, STec 30 autopilot, all logs since new, and LASAR mods and maintenance will be coming up on the All American Aircraft inventory in the coming weeks as I look to move up.  Give Jimmy and/or David a call if interested.

 

 

[Danb]

Chris is your storm scope now a remote showing on the aspen. The panel is a nice clean layout.

[Marauder]

Chris is your storm scope now a remote showing on the aspen. The panel is a nice clean layout.

Hey Dan. My L-3 WX-500 displays on both my Aspen MFD and my GTN-650. Needed it today. Found some storms up by Blairstown.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[cctsurf]

Just a thought, I keep noticing that these panel upgrade questions often become a contest where we show off and drool over all the nicest panels that you can put into a mooney...  Did you notice that the OP said, 

On 5/27/2016 at 8:10 PM, hish747 said:

I'm not talking about glass/gps. Just getting the layout cleaned up.

I appreciate those who have the scratch to put that kinda money into their panel.  I wish I did.  I'm just looking to upgrade to a six-pack and unless I have a major windfall, I'll be happy to comply with ADSB in my vintage bird.

I spoke to LASAR, I didn't ask for prices because I was working on other, more urgent, needs for airworthiness, but they affirmed that they have a kit for the Left-Side panel if you want to do the work yourself with IA oversight.  I believe it is in the range of $400...  They will work with you on a layout (though I understand they have a couple of standard ones).  As mentioned, if you or your A&P is handy, it can be done for less yet.

[Guest]

If you put in one of these it's a great panel upgrade.  It will make all of your old instruments read fantastic new numbers, higher airspeed, higher climb rates, etc.

Clarence

[Raptor05121]

3 minutes ago, M20Doc said:

If you put in one of these it's a great panel upgrade.  It will make all of your old instruments read fantastic new numbers, higher airspeed, higher climb rates, etc.

Clarence

Did it come with a fuel flow indicator from a C-130?

[Hank]

2 hours ago, Raptor05121 said:

Did it come with a fuel flow indicator from a C-130?

Clarence doesn't need fuel flow, just a kitchen timer. When it goes "bing," it's time to land.   As a bonus, the engine noise covers up the "tick tick tick" sound that the timer makes!

[drapo]

10 hours ago, cctsurf said:

Just a thought, I keep noticing that these panel upgrade questions often become a contest where we show off and drool over all the nicest panels that you can put into a mooney...  Did you notice that the OP said, 

I appreciate those who have the scratch to put that kinda money into their panel.  I wish I did.  I'm just looking to upgrade to a six-pack and unless I have a major windfall, I'll be happy to comply with ADSB in my vintage bird.

I spoke to LASAR, I didn't ask for prices because I was working on other, more urgent, needs for airworthiness, but they affirmed that they have a kit for the Left-Side panel if you want to do the work yourself with IA oversight.  I believe it is in the range of $400...  They will work with you on a layout (though I understand they have a couple of standard ones).  As mentioned, if you or your A&P is handy, it can be done for less yet.

Here is my modification using Lasar panels.

Berfore:

During:

After:

It was entirely done by my A&P and total cost, parts+labor and taxes = $1200

[mike_elliott]

4 hours ago, M20Doc said:

If you put in one of these it's a great panel upgrade.  It will make all of your old instruments read fantastic new numbers, higher airspeed, higher climb rates, etc.

Clarence

Now if you go to the dark side and get a twinbo, you could have a pair of these, along with a toilet and couch, but the numbers, well not so much.

[mike_elliott]

On ‎5‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 9:22 PM, M20Doc said:

or if you or your A&P are skilled you can build your own.

ahem ..... I think you meant to say ..."heavily modify existing".....

[hish747]

4 hours ago, M20Doc said:

If you put in one of these it's a great panel upgrade.  It will make all of your old instruments read fantastic new numbers, higher airspeed, higher climb rates, etc.

Clarence

Is that a Comanche 400?

[hish747]

12 minutes ago, drapo said:

Here is my modification using Lasar panels.

After:

It was entirely done by my A&P and total cost, parts+labor and taxes = $1200

Thank you drapo and cctsurf. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Hish

[MCDsiena]

I did this myself with the total cost probably under $100 bucks including the powdercoat. It did take considerable time in the machine shop and a decent amount of test fit, adjust, test fit.... But it's not very expensive if you take out the labor. 

[Hank]

38 minutes ago, daver328 said:

If I can do it (see post immediately above)  ... anyone can!

Well, that explains your dearth of long trips! You been workin'!!