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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Hacked Dash Option's?
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. Last edited by vtblazer; 04-13-2008 at 10:47 PM. |
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#2 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,684
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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!
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1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
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#3 | |
Can't wait to retire!!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corunna, MI
Posts: 1,575
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
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![]() 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 |
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#4 | |
I'm a poor spectator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 2,287
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
Oh and a start button, forget the key, go with the button ![]()
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2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig ![]() 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! ![]() 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! ![]() 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!! |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Powell, Wy
Posts: 135
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
I purpously hacked my dash so I could do this.
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71 Blazer Build Thread
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=553755 www.powellvalley4wheelers.com |
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#6 |
*---------------*
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 1,791
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Here's my idea with the aluminum.
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2001 GMC SIERRA 1956 Chevy Panel Build Page with a Scott's Hotrods IFS 1953 Chevy trucks Project Dime Time 1968 Camaro 1968 Volksrod "NOBACK" Jared |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Powell, Wy
Posts: 135
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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.
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71 Blazer Build Thread
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=553755 www.powellvalley4wheelers.com |
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#8 |
Can't wait to retire!!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corunna, MI
Posts: 1,575
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Nice work GRIMSS!
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![]() 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 |
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#9 |
*---------------*
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 1,791
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
any one have a good picture of a full dash straight on? I have another idea i can chop.
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2001 GMC SIERRA 1956 Chevy Panel Build Page with a Scott's Hotrods IFS 1953 Chevy trucks Project Dime Time 1968 Camaro 1968 Volksrod "NOBACK" Jared |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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.
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#11 |
Can't wait to retire!!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corunna, MI
Posts: 1,575
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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![]() 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,516
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
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. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,516
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
You don't use your heater and defroster, do you?
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
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#16 |
Can't wait to retire!!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corunna, MI
Posts: 1,575
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
So did you get your dash plate made yet? Or is that a future project like everything I own?
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![]() 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
It's first on the 'triage' list for the blazer this year. Good to be working on it again though. Have a wheeling trip planned in May, so I gotta get going on it. Brought the tool box and welder home from the shop yesterday so I can work on it here at night. Might sneak some time in on it this morning, if I can get it cut out, I can stop by the shop and use the metal break when I find a reason to run the roads. ![]() |
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#18 | |
Can't wait to retire!!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corunna, MI
Posts: 1,575
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
One of these days I'll have/make the time to start working on mine again. ![]()
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![]() 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09 Last edited by Chevyman63; 04-15-2008 at 02:07 PM. |
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,269
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Just in case you change your mind and want to go back stock. Burnsman has the exact patch section from a dash $35 shipped. I was doing some parts surfing yesterday after reading your thread
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
But...if I decide to use a stock patch, I have...uhm, like five other trucks out behind the shop with good dash section's. ![]() ![]() |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,516
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Oh, didn't no that! Not that my thoughts matter, but...your fix looks great then. Are you going to bolt it in or weld it?
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Mark/cut/fit check.
(not 'perfectly' centered in pics I know) Off to the break... |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Pretty happy with it, might need to trim the tab some but it should work out good.
Going with aluminum rivets or some allen head screws for mounting. (leaning towards the allen screws currently) |
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#24 |
SWB 4x4 Collector
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Osage City, KS
Posts: 5,153
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Vt, are you going to spray some krylon black over that when you get it done? I was just thinking if you leave it bright aluminum, the reflection my get to you if you ride at all with the top down, maybe blinding if you are wheeling? Just a thought. Trevor
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TREVOR ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 ![]() ![]() :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever |
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central Vermont
Posts: 8,538
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Re: Hacked Dash Option's?
Quote:
I like the look of aluminum but don't like the idea of getting a face full of reflection at the wrong time either. |
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