[cboy]

This is a rather minor point but something to keep in mind. Wooden dashes are usually fairly thick (1/2" or more) in order to reduce warping. This might present a problem in mounting certain instruments and switches. A normal sheet metal or fiberglass dash is probably 1/32 to 1/8" thick - and most switches have a stem on them sized accordingly. So the depth of the dash material can make a difference. Some after market gauges also have limited stem sizes - although most would be adaptable to the thicker wood. Just look over all the items you need to mount to your dash and insure they can all fit before embarking on the carving project.

[Classix_Lover]

Whoops haven't been in this section in a bit, sorry bout that. Here's a better gutted shot of my interior from last year when I was cleaning up the rusty floorpans and installing a carpet and my bad again Kevin, I did mean the instrument cluster damn this idiotic mind sometimes I need to take a better overall picture of my car sometime but this is what you have to work with right now sooo.. DEAL WITH IT!!! kiddin guys, I hate you

[home brew]

If you are just going to replace the panel behind the gages with a wood panel go for it! It will not be a hard thing for you to do if you have any wood working skills at all.

[gothrod87]

if you decide to do the cluster then in my opinion it would look real sharp in that exspeciallially in a real rich and grainy wood with deep rich stain...that would look real classy in that there elco,,i say go for it
GOTHROD

[65 Elco]

Man, I was just going to buy one of those. Now I have to figure out a different way to mount the autometer gauges I got for my birthday. How about painting it satin black and using an 1/8" thick piece of fancy veneer wood on the rear flat portion. Here is a link to some samples.

http://www.veneers.com/list_veneers.htm?3-2-Dark

let us know how it turns out.

[pepi]

Originally Posted by WakBordr7387

This is just my opinion. If you wanted to do a wood dash, I wood ( ) just make a little dash insert that goes only on that flat part that the gauges mount into. Put a nice stain to it, and I think it would look pretty classy, without a whole lot of trouble, or really taking away from the value of the car much.



Brad

good idea here but I , if I were doing it I would do it with aluminum , more racy nascar kind of look , functional , purpose built , anyway that is not a bad looking dash except for the plastic look , I see what you are talking about. The insert is the way to go. JAO