Thought I would share the complete panel retrofit I recently completed on a new to me 185.

All of the existing instruments and avionics were complete obsolete junk, and most didn’t work correctly.

We took everything completely out along with the vacuum system and all the wires, cables, and antennas.

The following is what I decided on-

10.5” G3X Touch with engine monitor
GTN750 bought second hand
G5 backup
GTR205 COM 2
GMA350 audio panel removed from my Cirrus
GTX345R remote adsb in an out transponder
GFC500 autopilot with yaw damper
New Artex 406 ELT
Guardian CO detector
CEIS Digital fuel sending units

I just repainted the yokes and drilled and tapped the pilot one for AP disconnect and PTT.

Installed a new selkirk glare shield and new Rosen Visors.

I had the wire harness made by Approach Fast Stack, and wow was it ever nice. Every wire was labeled and there were no mistakes. And it came with a complete, professional wire diagram.

I didn’t feel like I had enough time to tackle the lower panel this season, so it will have to wait until next winter.

The whole project took me and my right hand man about 250 hrs.

Flew it yesterday for the first time. It is pretty amazing, everything is well integrated and works perfectly.

Re-weighed the plane and it lost 97 pounds. New EW is 1868. I suspect my old W&B was not accurate, 97 seems excessive.

I also swapped the 401 prop for a second hand Voyager. I can’t really say what the difference is because my mag timing was super badly off when I had the old prop, and my pitot system leaked. But it is now making 145-147 knots true at 7,500 ft, ROP, 2500 rpm with an IO-520.

I am spoiled by flying mostly Cirrus’s since I have a Cirrus shop, and I already like the 185 panel better than most Cirrus’s.

It money well spent for me. I will probably fly it a ton more than i would have with the old stuff.

Beauty, eh! Nice work, and great panel choices!

Interesting layout

Is there a TOGA button?

Very Nice!

Yes the TOGA button is just up and to the left of the throttle.

Very nice Ross. I would love to go to a G3X in my 206. Maybe one day. You'll love the GFC500. I've got about 10 hrs on mine and man is it nice!

Looks great Ross!

JC

Beautiful setup. Very nicely done.