How-To: 3rd Gen Mitsubishi Eclipse Dash Vents in an NB

[phrenetiK]

cost me 25 on fleabay awhile back. havent put em in yet though lol

[jnshk]

Glad to hear it! I don't think I could ever go back to the stock eyeball vents, for such a small component of the car, I'm spoiled now.

I totally agree. It is amazing how a small thing like this makes a big difference with looks and functionality.

I agree as well. This had nearly as big an impact on the cockpit experience as the shorty console and perhaps as much as the Nardi wheel as well. You don't realize what a significant difference a small change can make until you experience it.

[Lambretta]

Great idea and mod! I'm gonna try this on my NA.....thanks for posting!

[Cedge]

Recently did this mod to my 95 M and it made a huge difference in both looks and functionality. I found the trick to getting the new vents to swivel. Once the outer diameter of the new vent has been reduced to the same size as the old vent, round or bevel the back edge of the outer ring so it can't dig into the rounding of the dash recess. This lets the new vent bottom out nicely in the hole and swivel smoothly with just enough friction to stay where you put it.

Steve

[jnshk]

I should have put a tag on my earlier post (single post #4 in this thread) to indicate that it was more specific tips for NA cars. Others wanting to add these vents to the NAs might find the pictures especially useful, as it illustrates where the new groove should go.

[SteelReign]

I did this today and the instructions worked out very well! Photos very helpful. I bought a mini hacksaw from walmart for $3. One thing I'd like to add:

I found it hard to pop out the stock vents. I tried a flathead screwdriver to pry out the rings but they wouldn't budge and I was scratching up the vent rings (mine are silver). After giving up for the day, I found a great video on how to pop them out:



Like the video, they do "pop" out. I believe there may be two clips holding the eyeball rings in place. If you can slip a card under the clips holding them, they'll pop out. I was able to pop out the first with little resistance but later I had to use 2 "credit cards" to hit both clips at the same time. No need to try and force them out, they'll pop right out. Oh, and don't use cards you care about, as my cards were torn up.

Thanks for the write-up. My old car was a 2000 Eclipse so it makes me feel nostalgic! My passenger won't feel so cold and I won't feel so hot anymore!

[cbaylis77]

Side by side comparison.

[Sean5294]

I did this mod a few months ago. They came out great!

[ozbrock]

I love mine, here are a few pics.