metal dash
 

Anyone ever toss your dashpad and lay down metal. I am looking for ideas on what looks good before I roll something that ends up scrapped.

Re: metal dash
 

They stopped making all metal dashes when they figured out metal doesn't feel too good against your skull in the event of a crash.

Does sound neat though. I'd like to see what you come up with.

Re: metal dash
 

DIY4x makes one for our trucks.. Not cheap by any means .. and honestly I'd be more worried about the massive steering wheel leaving a dent in my head than the dash..

http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=148

Re: metal dash
 

64_66 dash fits pretty easy

Re: metal dash
 

That diy4x dash is what I had in mind fora shape if I made it. I have a few 4x8 sheets of aluminum, a roller, and could get my hands on a brake easy enough. I think I could bend one up for mock then take a sheet to a shop to have it cut before bolting it down.

Another idea is to toss the gauge cluster, pad, ac, and radio and weld in everything smooth then cut out stuff. This would give some curvature and was more of something I want to see if possible.

Re: metal dash
 

I was thinking more of my little girl in the passenger seat.

Re: metal dash
 

Really any dash will work if your willing to make it work cutting and fabing.

Re: metal dash
 

I second what KQQL IT said, the 64-66 dash is a very easy swap. I put one in my truck with very minimal fab. It's maybe a half day job.

Re: metal dash
 

KQQL IT and Tx Firefighter, do either of you have pictures of a cab with a 64-66 dash installed? I would love to see that. Seems to me I would like that dash layout much better.

Re: metal dash
 

It's a very easy swap. I had to build two little filler pieces for the ends. I just used a piece of cardboard to make templates, cut them, tack welded up at the windshield seam and bent it by hand to shape as I tack welded downward.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...8BEDDAA1F0.jpg

The windshield rubber hides the seam on the front edge so there's no need to do bodywork there.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...7d4f066bbe.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...36176bf02d.jpg

Re: metal dash
 

I really like the looks of that! I think I may have to start some future planning.....

Re: metal dash
 

That looks tons better then I expected.
Did the vents spread the heat enough. What did you do for a radio?

Re: metal dash
 

That looks tons better then I expected.
Did the vents spread the heat enough. What did you do for a radio?
The bracket that reinforces by the brake that connects to the dash. Did you bend it or did it line up?

Re: metal dash
 

I like it. How hard is pulling the dash? The local Pick N Pull got a '64 truck of some sort (they don't say what) the other day, I might go grab it Saturday.

edit: and what's a good set of gauges to use with it?

Re: metal dash
 

I used an air saw to remove the dashes. They are welded in place so you have to cut them along the windshield pinch weld.

I don't run radios in my trucks so that why my air suspesnion stuff is located where it is.

I'm no where near a pioneer in this swap. There's about half a dozen other guys here that did it before I did.

Re: metal dash
 

Damn, Pick N Pull around here doesn't allow power tools. Guess I'll need to find someone with a truck.

Did you weld it into the square body or what?

Re: metal dash
 

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/...3402d448_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...78a3d576_o.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...7770d313_b.jpg

Guy o bought my dash from drilled all spot welds. Wwelded to the pinch weld

Re: metal dash
 

Roughly how many spot welds? I think some power tools are allowed, but grinders aren't. I could probably drill them out with a cordless drill depending on how long it would take.

Re: metal dash
 

A bunch 18 maybe. I did mine 4/5 years ago

I saw one on ebay $200 maybe the pics may show

Re: metal dash
 

A cordless sawzall would do it super easy on one battery with plenty to spare. .

But, me, I'm a stubborn son of a b1tch. I'd make a 3 dollar hack saw blade handle work if I had to.

Re: metal dash
 

How did you attache the side of yours?

Re: metal dash
 

Sadly I don't have a cordless sawzall. I'm not sure they allow them either. I'll have to try with the drill, 18 holes isn't horrible if they drill ok.

Re: metal dash
 

lets not forget decapitation due to the reinforced hoods where they over buckle when you open and close them

Re: metal dash
 

man that's fugly

Re: metal dash
 

you did an awesome job, that looks amazing