[Silentlion_69]

I was wondering if you guys could give me ideas on what I could do for a custom dash / instrument cluster. Have any of you guys made your own if so throw a pic up so I can see. I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas, Its kind of harder than I thought.

 

[StrokeofGenius]

whats the Dash - Instrument Cluster going into (yr/make)?

Stroke

 

[Silentlion_69]

its going into my truck, an 85 GMC Sierra C1500

 

[advanced design]

Here is a custom dash being built.

http://www.commerce.usask.ca/staff/hipkin/burb/interior.html#71703

 

[Silentlion_69]

thanks that just gave me a couple ideas, :thumbup:

 

[[email protected]]

'42 Willys pickup

 

[Silentlion_69]

I really like the way that that looks, thats kind of what I want to do, put all the gauges to the right of the steereing wheel. then I was thinking of placing the stereo where the gauges are right now. or maybe mounting the stereo in with the gauges.

I want everything to be easily viewable from the drivers seat, and I want to also be able to reach the stereo without having to reach halfway down to the floor or halfway across to cab.

Did you make that with fiberglass?

 

[pro70z28]

I used the original dash in the panel truck as a plug. Made the modifications, made a mold from that. Bolted in place same as the stock dash, with updated gages, etc. Oak insert.

 

[Silentlion_69]

thats kinda cool, whats that in?

I kind of want to move my gauges to the right of the steering wheel. what do I have to do in order to get the factory dash out of my truck? (1985 GMC Sierra C1500)

with my gauges where they are now I always have to look around my steering wheel to see them clearly.

 

[[email protected]]

I really like the way that that looks, thats kind of what I want to do, put all the gauges to the right of the steereing wheel. then I was thinking of placing the stereo where the gauges are right now. or maybe mounting the stereo in with the gauges.

I want everything to be easily viewable from the drivers seat, and I want to also be able to reach the stereo without having to reach halfway down to the floor or halfway across to cab.

Did you make that with fiberglass?

No, I made those cones of about 20 ga steel and welded them in place. A little Bondo and sanding and they were done! Had to do it 'cause the AC unit took up all the space behind the dash!

 

[pro70z28]

thats kinda cool, whats that in?

I kind of want to move my gauges to the right of the steering wheel. what do I have to do in order to get the factory dash out of my truck? (1985 GMC Sierra C1500)

with my gauges where they are now I always have to look around my steering wheel to see them clearly.

That dash was in a 1940 Chevy Panel truck. The whole dash comes out as one pc. Not the same as a newer truck. A different steering wheel would be the easiest fix for visibility, but if your after a different dash look, that will take some work.

 

[Silentlion_69]

what would be easier to work with fiberglass or sheetmetal?

Which one would look better in the end?, I plan on painting it black.

 

[pro70z28]

what would be easier to work with fiberglass or sheetmetal?

Which one would look better in the end?, I plan on painting it black.

Both are doable. I like fiberglass because you can make the plug out of easy to form materials and get it just the way you want it before laying up the finished part.

 

[Silentlion_69]

Would I be smart to make a mock-up model of it so that I can have something to go by when making the finishing product?

pro- I'm slowly fixing up my truck and I decided that I want to make my own dash so I could do what I want. Not being able to see the gauges clearly just added to my desire to make a custom dash

also what do you mean when you said you can make a plug? what's a plug, are you talking about covering up the area that the gauges were originally or what?

 

[pro70z28]

Would I be smart to make a mock-up model of it so that I can have something to go by when making the finishing product?

pro- I'm slowly fixing up my truck and I decided that I want to make my own dash so I could do what I want. Not being able to see the gauges clearly just added to my desire to make a custom dash

also what do you mean when you said you can make a plug? what's a plug, are you talking about covering up the area that the gauges were originally or what?

I made the dash with everything just where I wanted it. (The Plug). when I laid fiberglass over that to make the mold. Then I laid the finish part up inside the mold. There's more to it than that but that's the short explanation. It is very time consuming, but not really that difficult. You just need Patience. I built a 1 piece fiberglass tilt front end for the same truck, took me almost all winter from start to finish working nights and weekends. This is a pic. of it in the nov. '78 issue of Rod Action. It's the red one with flames.

 

[Silentlion_69]

wow thats cool.

Where I dont have any experience with fiberglass should I practice with it and make some little stuff so that I can get a little experience before I do the dash, if I decide to use fiberglass?

I think I'll probably end up using fiberglass because I dont have a welder to use for the sheetmetal.

 

[pro70z28]

wow thats cool.

Where I dont have any experience with fiberglass should I practice with it and make some little stuff so that I can get a little experience before I do the dash, if I decide to use fiberglass?

I think I'll probably end up using fiberglass because I dont have a welder to use for the sheetmetal.

That might be a good idea. Less wasted material if a small piece doesn't come out right. If you go to a place like an auto body supply store or a fiberglass manufacturing company, they should give you all the info you need to get the job done right. I bought my supplies from a company that made shower stalls. The guy was very helpful and gave me a good deal on the supplies. I think he either was impressed with my eagerness to learn or he just felt sorry for me. HEHEHE If I can be of any help just let me know, I'll help where I can.