Pics of Custom Dashboards

[stfinney]

I am thinking about using an instrument panel/cluster from another year truck. How many of you have done this and how do you get all the hookups correct?

Pics would help!
Thanks in Advance!

[stfinney]

Something like this is what I am interested in.

http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/1006t...p/viewall.html

I would like info from someone who has done something like this or similar to this or just using another cluster and having it modded to work.

[jtp67-72]

55 belair lightly moded...lol...not finished yet but coming...jim

[stfinney]

That looks awesome! Where would you get something like that? I have seen people use 57 chevy truck dashes, but can you find them at pick-n-pull places?

[oklalawnboy]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

55 belair lightly moded...lol...not finished yet but coming...jim

That looks great.

[1972BackInBlackC10]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

55 belair lightly moded...lol...not finished yet but coming...jim

lol lightly modded funny guy

stfinney: if you look at jims build thread you'll see how he did it, if i remember correctly he used two 55 chev car dashes to make it work and added i belive one inch tubing at the bottom to make it a lil lower plus some other slight "mods" lol

[BossHogg69]

Saw this a year or two ago at a show in Ft. Smith, AR.

[ole dollor]

now thats a change.....like it but you would have to be a really good metal fab guy.....sure makes a good looking truck on the inside.....

[ChevLoRay]

The biggie in these swaps is that many of the earlier dashes come from vehicles with wrap-around windshields and that makes marrying the ends of the dash to the door....or not...an aesthetic issue.

I know a guy who put a dash from a '59 Edsel (Ford the same) into his '68. He had to widen the dash. When I drove a '59 Ford that dad bought new....I felt like it was about 8-ft wide.

[original-71]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

55 belair lightly moded...lol...not finished yet but coming...jim

that is gonna look really nice

[mahanian]

This guy put a 59 Impala dash in his 68

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3105084479.html

[stfinney]

I'm drooling again! lol.....Now I really want to do something different to mine. I might have to take a trip to the pick-n-pull here.

[stfinney]

So, is it easier to fab one up or mod one out of another vehicle? What about the instrument cluster and making it all work?

[BossHogg69]

Well, are you gonna replace the gauges with new ones? Electronic? Mechanical? So many ways to do it, you'll have to decide which way you want to go. These guys have some seriously nice stuff http://www.classicinstruments.com/, I have their 'Velocity' Series gauge setup for my '69 and its REALLY nice - it's all electronic, but comes prewired and ready to rock.

[stfinney]

Was thinking of something out of a 95 or newer truck and modding the dash for it to mount too. Not sure on the hookups though. Just brainstorming here, lol.

[jtp67-72]

Ok...let me expound here....it's definitely not for the meek...but I did the 55 dash with usual small shop welding tools...ALOT of head scratching...the dash without the curves is only 48" wide..soooo U have to add 3.5" in middle and 5.5" on each end...fits perfect into the jambs and weatherstrips..I will use Dakota digital VHX gauges..with billet inserts custom from Pete's fab...this dash is only 2.5" lower than stock but I think makes all the difference in look....What I did you all can too...just lots of patience and an eye for "fit" needed...another trick was I did 90% of bodywork on the bench before permanently installing..way easier than crawling into truck.....with my big azz!!!.......

I like the 59-60 dash also...Have done a 99 chevy truck dash on last project but 86'ed it in favor of the 59-60 below..99 looks great with double humps..just cut the curve of windshield into it right where humps flatten....sold to someone else with no pics..but would be glad to help if someone wants it............jim

[Tinkermc]

Very nice work shown here!!!!!!

[jtp67-72]

finally got dash in paint and billet..................jim

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

finally got dash in paint and billet..................jim

That is the sweetest looking dash I have ever seen in one of our trucks man!

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

That is the sweetest looking dash I have ever seen in one of our trucks man!

No Sh!t! Can't stop staring at it.

[jtp67-72]

Thats 2 55 dashes into one....no glove box..no knobs.....ac vents are exhaust tubing welded in....every thing below vents is 1-off....biggest pain in azz ive ever done but think it will be worth it....here's close to what rest will eventually look like......with dakota digital vhx gauges too.......