JDM Knee Pad Install

[DaJo]

4 in total is needed for the JDM grille. 2 for each side. I just finished installing mine today.

[ollepellijeff]

Bought the JPM Coachworks OEM pads with alcantara wrapping and some padding. Thanks Trojan for the good tips on installation. Took me a while but with the guidance I got it done without any mishaps.

The fit of the JPM Coachworks is good since they are based on OEM parts. The padding is maybe a bit less than I had hoped for but it helps and the alcantara material is much gripper that the slippery OEM. One track day on them so far and it definitely decreased the scuffing I usually get since I'm still using stock seat belts.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by DaJo

4 in total is needed for the JDM grille. 2 for each side. I just finished installing mine today.

Correct. I realized only two per side were needed once I installed mine as well. Not sure where three on each side came from. Oh well, $0.50 wasted

[EAGLE5]

Which is better padded, JDM, Coachworks, or 2014 FR-S?

[nigel-jdmparts]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Which is better padded, JDM, Coachworks, or 2014 FR-S?

JDM and 2014 should be the same.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48747

[nalc]

Are the grille rings necessary? I saw them posted in the original thread, but when I contacted Carson Toyota for a quote for the whole shebang, they told me the rings are Subaru-only, and quoted me a price without the rings.

I ordered from Amayama because I didn't want to get it and not be able to put it together, plus I needed a replacement seat bolt that was 4x as expensive at the dealership as Amayama, so it all worked out.

I don't really like the way the silver ring looks, so if it turns out that I can assemble them without the ring, I'll try it.

I contacted JPM but they're not offering the speaker trim panels in sim leather, just in Alcantara. I guess it works if you're going to get alcantara shift boots and go for a lot of alcantara in the interior, but I'm not, and I think it looks out of place to just have the kneepads in alcantara when the two other leather pads on the door (the armrest and the windowsill) are leather, and my center console armrest is leather. They have the center console ones in sim leather, just not the speaker ones.

I was kinda bummed. JPM is more expensive than JDM for the center console kneepads, but cheaper for the doors, so it works out about even, and it sounds like they have better build quality. The JDM kneepads themselves are only around $40/each, but the rings and grilles add on another $80 or so. So I imagine that JPM's able to cut out that cost by using the original USDM kneepads with the integrated grilles. Makes sense, and I'd rather be getting a $75 kneepad with a $5 grille than a $40 kneepad with a $40 grille. Part of me said "Why don't I just buy the pad, and stretch some speaker grille cloth behind it, or dremel the grille out of my old kneepad, and save $80", but then another part of me slapped that first part and said "This is a $27k car, don't you dare do something ghetto".

My Amayama order should be in soon and I'll let you guys know if they'll work without the rings.

[littledvl]

Got knee pads done today, super easy thanks for the diy ,was slightly different for a auto but nothing hard at all.

[nalc]

I forgot to let you guys know.

It'd be possible to assemble them without the rings using the JDM parts, but it'd look bad. The grille is smaller than the opening and it needs the ring to fill the gap.

Do 2014 FR-Ses come with rings?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by nalc

I forgot to let you guys know.

It'd be possible to assemble them without the rings using the JDM parts, but it'd look bad. The grille is smaller than the opening and it needs the ring to fill the gap.

Do 2014 FR-Ses come with rings?

Yes the 2014's come with the rings.

[Lukejt]

A big thank you for taking the time to post this!

[NSV]

Can someone please explain to me how you're supposed to remove the 2 pieces below the knee pads (step 1 od the DIY ) ? The pics are not very explaining, do you have to pull it down, or towards the front of the car, or something else ? Thanks for any advice.

[2pt5RS]

Originally Posted by NSV

Can someone please explain to me how you're supposed to remove the 2 pieces below the knee pads (step 1 od the DIY ) ? The pics are not very explaining, do you have to pull it down, or towards the front of the car, or something else ? Thanks for any advice.

just pull towards the door.

[NSV]

Thanks 2pt5RS for the tip.

One last question, what about the BRZ or those equiped with a push-start button ? Do you have to push/pull out the down tray first, and then disconnect the pushstart button and the USB ? Or first disconnect then push out ?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by NSV

Thanks 2pt5RS for the tip.

One last question, what about the BRZ or those equiped with a push-start button ? Do you have to push/pull out the down tray first, and then disconnect the pushstart button and the USB ? Or first disconnect then push out ?

Yup, pull out the tray and you'll expose the rear of the push button and see that it's connected. Then just disconnect it. Voila!