Got the dash painted and installed. I filled in the hole for the raido but left the holes for the knobs. The knob on the right is a pull type ignition switch and the knob on the left is the light switch.
This is the 56 Ford dash. I had to cut the back off both the original and the 56 dash so I could weld the back of the original to the 56 because the contour was way off. I also had to cut two inches off the left side and fabricate a two inch piece for the right side because the steering column mount wasn't in the right location. I also had to notch out the area where the steering column does because I am using an IDIDIT tilt column and it wouldn't fit up into the opening. Now I can mount the steering column and finish up the firewall.
The holes and openings in the firewall are almost finished. I have a few more small ones to weld up, fill and sand. I couldn't close up the opening where the steering column goes because I have to see where the column will sit with the dash bolted up.
10/18/07
I had to notch out the top of the frame rail in order for the steering box to sit in the proper position. I also had to drill two new holes. One of the holes was already in the right spot. I cut the top of the frame rail off so I could notch it and so I could reinforce it with heavier ¼ inch thick plate. I also tacked in a reinforcing plate on the outer side of the frame that will be welded on later. I also had to heat the inner fender and bump it out about a ¼ of an inch around the box so the box would clear it. The sector shaft and pitman arm sit in exactly the same position as the original.
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