Return to the BUILD
“In this issue, you will attach various instrument panels and screens to the dashboard and mount the steering wheel buttons.“
Contents
Parts
Materials: The Steering Wheel and Steering Column are metal – the rest of these parts are plastic.
Magazine
- The Series – The Seasons
- Build Your KI.T.T. – Step by Step
- Secret Files – Voice Generator
Build
Dashboard
Step 1
Slide the rectangular tab of the Voice Box into this slot of the Start-Up Panel Bracket, as shown:
Step 2
Fit the Start-Up Panel into this slot on the underside of the Dashboard:
Make sure this Start-Up Panel is facing the correct way, as seen here from above:
Fit the Start-Up Panel Bracket assembly over the Start-Up Panel, aligning the screw holes as shown:
Secure the Start-Up Panel Bracket to the Dashboard with two (2) BP screws, capturing the Start-Up Panel in between:
Step 3
Fit the Front Panel of K.I.T.T. Voice Box into this front Dashboard opening (sliding it under the Start-Up Panel).
This part will be loose until we attach the Left Instrument Panel Housing in Step 5, so take care not to lose it. Also, be gentle with it, I accidentally scratched off part of my ‘Auto Cruise’ detailing here:
Step 4
Press the various Instrument Panels and Monitor Screens into their matching Housings.
The shape of each Panel matches their respective Housing, but I wanted to lay them out and label each part number for future reference:
Step 5
Fit the Left Instrument Panel Housing (4F) assembly to this location on the underside of the Dashboard:
Secure this Left Instrument Panel Housing into place with one (1) BP screw:
Step 6
Fit the Left Dashboard Panel to the Dashboard, fitting the tab with the large hole over the post (arrow below), and aligning the three screw hole tabs over the matching posts as shown:
Secure the Left Dashboard Panel into place with three (3) BP screws.
This step is what secures the Voice Box in place:
Step 7
Align the screws tabs of the Monitor Housing (4D) assembly to these two short posts of the Dashboard, as shown:
Secure the Monitor Housing into place with two (2) BP screws:
Then, align the screws tabs of the Right Instrument Housing (4E) assembly to these two short posts of the Dashboard, as shown:
Secure the Right Instrument Housing into place with two (2) more BP screws:
Step 8
Fit the red Lower Right Button Panel into the matching cutouts at this location on the Dashboard:
The raised buttons on this Panel are angled. They should be fitted into the holes so the ‘tips’ of the buttons face to the right, as shown below:
Next, fit the Lower Right Button Panel Housing behind this Panel, aligning the screw tab over this matching post:
Secure this Housing into place with one (1) BP screw:
Step 9
Align the screws tabs of the Lower Right Instrument Housing (4C) assembly to these two taller posts of the Dashboard, as shown:
Secure this Lower Right Housing into place with two (2) BP screws:
This step completes installation of the displays on our Dashboard:
Step 10
Fit the Left and Right Steering Wheel Keypads into these matching recesses of the Steering Wheel Keypad Support.
These keypads are not the same. Note the angled corners of each Keypad match the angled recesses of the Support:
Fit the Steering Wheel Keypad Bracket over the back of this Support assembly, then secure the parts together with two (2) AP screws:
Thoughts
To me, what makes K.I.T.T. more than just a standard early-80s Pontiac Firebird is his nose/scanner and this elaborate electronic Dashboard. At the time of Knight Rider, having crazy LED displays and gauges like this on your dash was quite futuristic. And to think, Michael Scheffe (who not only designed our K.I.T.T. here, but also built the original Back to the Future DeLorean time machine) only had 18 days to build the first cars for the show. Even in scale model form, I feel this Dashboard looks really good!
Keep the unused Steering Wheel, Steering Column, and Knight Foundation Emblem nearby as they will be needed in the next stage.
Next Up
Stage 5 – Scanner Light PCB/Inner Housing, Battery Compartment with Switch, Front Right Chassis