Hacked Dash Option's?

[vtblazer]

Time to repair my dash, tired of looking at the big ugly hole.

I had installed a junk DIN mount radio/CD player to fill the bigger spot and that was better but I want it fixed now.

Pics show the existing dash, last two are the aluminum option's I have here to work with.
Also have a good factory dash I could cut up and install but it seems like a lot more work and being my off road ride, having a plate that switches could be mounted might be a good thing.

The problem I'm facing is the lowest cut, it's almost to the heater controls and there's a bend in that area that could be tough to duplicate.

Throw up any and all option's, I'm open at this point.

[Yukon Jack]

Definitely gonna take some work to get it back to original condition if you go that route. I see what you mean about that lower hole being a problem. If you decide to replace, maybe you could make a nice clean cut and cut out the whole area including the ignition key location, heater control and cig lighter, then weld in a whole new section.

For a trail rig I thing going with something different is just fine, but that bottom cut out area still is gonna cause problems.

If I had your skills, I'd probably lean towards cutting it all out like I mention above and put in a clean dash portion.

Tough call!

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Definitely gonna take some work to get it back to original condition if you go that route. I see what you mean about that lower hole being a problem. If you decide to replace, maybe you could make a nice clean cut and cut out the whole area including the ignition key location, heater control and cig lighter, then weld in a whole new section.

For a trail rig I thing going with something different is just fine, but that bottom cut out area still is gonna cause problems.

If I had your skills, I'd probably lean towards cutting it all out like I mention above and put in a clean dash portion.

Tough call!

I agree with YJ, but if you've decided to go custom, I like the flat aluminum.

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

I agree with YJ, but if you've decided to go custom, I like the flat aluminum.

Maybe keep an original dash pad look on the top but like chevyman said, use flat aluminum for the lower portion with a cluster of after market guages.

Oh and a start button, forget the key, go with the button

[MNorby]

I purpously hacked my dash so I could do this.

[GRIMSS]

Here's my idea with the aluminum.

[MNorby]

Also if you need cheap aluminum go to salvage yard with semi trucks and get a chunk of cab or a truck door or something, tons of sheet aluminum to be had dirt cheap.

[Chevyman63]

Nice work GRIMSS!

[GRIMSS]

any one have a good picture of a full dash straight on? I have another idea i can chop.

[vtblazer]

Pulled a dash from the garage for mock up and made a template from a manila envelope, should work/look pretty good when it's made of aluminum IMO.

[Chevyman63]

I like it.

[jaros44sr]

If ya go alittle further past the heater control panel you would only have one sharp bend to tie it to the bottom of the dash. There isn't alot of strenght in that area if you look at it as a whole. More support and more area for gauges, switches lites, etc. Just don't turn it into a aircraft cockpit, like the pic I remember seeing of another cab
JMHO

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

If ya go alittle further past the heater control panel you would only have one sharp bend to tie it to the bottom of the dash. There isn't alot of strenght in that area if you look at it as a whole. More support and more area for gauges, switches lites, etc. Just don't turn it into a aircraft cockpit, like the pic I remember seeing of another cab
JMHO

There's a strip of heavier gauge steel that the heater controls bolt to, don't see the need to interrupt the mounting of them or the ignition switch.

No intent on putting in more gauges either, I am going to move the existing winch control over closer to me though, it was almost inconvenient being in the lighter hole.

[Yukon Jack]

Looks like a great plate. Yep, better anti-bling that with some flat black or something.

[GRIMSS]

Looks good. Just neet to knock the shine off.

[vtblazer]

Did a quickie install for the lights/switches and toggles, patch held in dash with duct tape.

Top toggle is my electric fan, push left and the green LED comes on telling me it's running at low speed...push right and the red one comes on saying it's running on high.
Toggle switch is a On/OFF/On - three position switch.

Interior winch switch is now alot easier to reach than before.
(found out one of my solenoids is bad playing with it today)

Even mounted the factory ACC-OFF-ON-START plate.

[Big J]

Nice Job! Some stainless button head allen screws would finish that off nicely.

[Critter]

So, I guess I will ask a dumb question...are you going to put the radio back in it? I like the way it turned out so far!

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Big J

Nice Job! Some stainless button head allen screws would finish that off nicely.

My thoughts exactly.

Originally Posted by Critter

So, I guess I will ask a dumb question...are you going to put the radio back in it? I like the way it turned out so far!

No radio for this ride, it's makes plenty of interesting sounds to listen to.

[hotrodkev]

When I restored my 69, I had a similar issue but I cut the piece I needed out of a donor truck and welded it in. I just love the original look with the factory style radio too much to have put a piece of aluminum in there. To each his own.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by hotrodkev

When I restored my 69, I had a similar issue but I cut the piece I needed out of a donor truck and welded it in. I just love the original look with the factory style radio too much to have put a piece of aluminum in there. To each his own.

...hey hotrod, you have no idea the lengths I've gone to in order to keep an old chevy stock but your new here and you haven't a clue as to what I've done, so welcome to the site either way, enjoy the ride.

Take the time to start up a thread showing your truck, it looks good sitting on the trailer but I didn't see any interior or dash pics in your sale post.

Which leads me to the next question...if you have such a love for these old trucks, why ya sellin' it?

[hotrodkev]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

...hey hotrod, you have no idea the lengths I've gone to in order to keep an old chevy stock but your new here and you haven't a clue as to what I've done, so welcome to the site either way, enjoy the ride.

Take the time to start up a thread showing your truck, it looks good sitting on the trailer but I didn't see any interior or dash pics in your sale post.

Which leads me to the next question...if you have such a love for these old trucks, why ya sellin' it?

I'm tired of sinking money into it. I love the old school trucks but I signed up on this site to sell my truck. Just figured I would give you my .02 on your dash. I have the pics of my interior and dash...which look factory. NOT a huge plate of aluminum, which isn't my style. Once again, to each his own.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by hotrodkev

Once again, to each his own.

You still don't get it...

[hotrodkev]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

You still don't get it...

Your right....I don't get why in the hell someone would put a piece of aluminum plate to hold 2 toggle switches and a sticker. Just a little welding and paint could have looked so much better....

[thor]

Originally Posted by hotrodkev

I'm tired of sinking money into it. I love the old school trucks but I signed up on this site to sell my truck. Just figured I would give you my .02 on your dash. I have the pics of my interior and dash...which look factory. NOT a huge plate of aluminum, which isn't my style. Once again, to each his own.

Not a very effective marketing ploy. Anywho, I love the aluminum dash insert you made vtblazer. I will do something similar to delete the ashtray from my vehicle to make room for toggles switches, as mine is a wheeler as well, not a trailer queen.