Using glove box door for gauge cluster

[71BB_LWB]

QUOTE=dukes69;2403592]would like to see more pictures of the finished product if anyone has any.[/QUOTE]

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[huero]

Originally Posted by shifty

As many of you know, our trucks were designed to be easily converted from LHD to RHD for sales overseas where the steering wheel may need to switch sides.

With that in mind, it just so happens that the glove box door fits over the gauge cluster really well.

I never knew that. Pretty cool and looks nice.

[project1971]

would like to see pics of the back side also with the guages installed before and after.

[chosn 1]

i used the golebox door, idid mine by removing the inner sheet and cutting a relief for the column big enough that the stock rubber gromet fits into it, then i welded small bolts onto the back in5 places then i trimmed most of the outer sheet out of the middle so that i could put my polished bronze sheet with guages onto that,i covered that outer ring in leather, i moved the switches elsewhere on the dash

[c10addict]

I am using one for the ignition, headlamp and wiper switch.. Went with a 57 truck cluster in the middle..

[shifty]

very cool idea w/installing the IGN/key in the console!

[shifty]

So, I'm still really curious how people are doing this - how are you rounding out your edges on the holes you're cutting out? Obviously, you can't roll out or fold over the hole.

How are you going about flush-mounting your gauges?

[shifty]

Also - anyone have an accurate CAD drawing of the gauge cluster? I measured it all out last night, so I could throw one together, but I hate reinventing the wheel.

[Southedisto]

I cut the rolled lip on the back side of the door, that way I only had a single panel to deal with. I used the stock nut plates to mount the panel.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by shifty

So, I'm still really curious how people are doing this - how are you rounding out your edges on the holes you're cutting out? Obviously, you can't roll out or fold over the hole.

How are you going about flush-mounting your gauges?

To flush mount them: First, remove the back 'cupholder' layer of the door. Then, using two sheets of aluminum or wood 5/16-3/8" thick- cut holes in the outer sheet to the size of the trim rings of the gauges and the inner piece to the diameter of the body of the gauges. Sandwich them together and place behind the door with holes the same size as the outer sheet of backing material. To get all your holes perfectly aligned, sandwich the pieces first, then drill your pilot holes through all three sheets.

Does that make sense at all? It does in my head, but not sure how it translates to type...

[TravisH]

My plan is to use mount the gauges inside tubing and then weld the tubing to the panel. Takes a little more time and fabrication experience though.

For the glove box I'm going to weld studs on the backside. I don't think it will be too hard to reach the top bolts; if it is I'll weld in new attachment points to the dash in a better spot. I think you have to trim the dash around the headlight and wiper switches because it protrudes there but its been a while since I looked at it

I've haven't seen a real nice way of mounting the headlight and wiper switches yet (not a fan of stock) and I need to find some nice leds for turn signal/high beams

chosn 1 I like your dash with the leather and brass, but I gotta ask why is that gauge still on the A pillar?

[Rokcrln]

You could always mount yout switches in the lower return lip of the dash. They would be out of direct sight but still visible if you look down and very easy to reach. You would half to do a small amount of trimming since you have the dash reinforcment bar running along that edge. This way they all would just pull down to turn on and up for off. I did this back in the 80's when we were all into custom bug's

Now as far as these dash's being set up for RHD as well I have to disagree. They are very close with the cluster and glove box door being the same shape but that is about it. The two opening hole are way off as far as needed tabs and returns for mounting. Cluster has provisions for your switches that are raised up a bit and mounting hole tabs. The glove box has one tab in the upper left corner for a switch/button (?) ,then the hole in the right side for the stop arm as well as a larger botom lip for the hindge. Not to mention the needed suport for the column that is built into the reinforcment bar.

Sure it can and has been done but not as simple as it has sounded. Did they ever do this and sell them over see's? I have only seen one guy that was building his own truck for Australia (sp?) but never saw it finished. All the other ones I have seek over see's are those strange LHD set up's

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[chosn 1]

to answer your ? TravisH that guage is an exhaust gas temp beacause im running upto 80 psi of boost and i need that one right in my vision so that i dont have a meltdown from pulling too hard for too long, that 57 cluster in c10addicts really rocks tho!

[shifty]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Now as far as these dash's being set up for RHD as well I have to disagree. They are very close with the cluster and glove box door being the same shape but that is about it.

The entire truck is setup for easy swap to RHD. You ever notice the stamped provision in the passenger side inner fender for the steering column (compare the L/R inner fender sitting side by side)? This is just one of many "mirror" items you'll find within. The dash is a stamped piece, and by using the symmetrical patterns they did, it no doubt saved countless hundreds of hours in re-tooling to make a RHD stamp after already creating the LHD.

There is an uncanny amount of symmetry in these trucks. It has to be intentional. GM was on the ball back then.

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Sure it can and has been done but not as simple as it has sounded. Did they ever do this and sell them over see's?

I've seen two LHD trucks from the UK already, and someone on here either purchased or linked to a fleet truck in Switzerland that was used for mountain rescue or a fire department or similar. If they weren't sold over there, they surely made it over there easily enough.

[dukes69]

would anyone have a picture of what is need to cut on the back side.

[Fastfun]

I used a air cut off tool. I still have more to do, I need to mount the lights and wiper switches and I need to finish the face.

[rodstored-72]

fastfun,
that looks very good. i am interested in seeing it in person. maybe one of these weekends i can come over & "bench race" with ya (lol)
i may pm you this week to see whats up...
rodstored-72

[Dieselwrencher]

Do you have any pics with it installed? It looks very nice!

[OARNGESI]

Do you got pics of the outside of the truck from your post shifty

[earl87gta]

Here is one for you that is almost done. http://tennesseeclassictruckclub.com...=asc&start=500

[70 Suburban]

I think it would look good to use a car colomn from the late 70's or early 80s with all the combo swithes on the cololmn then you would just have a clean dash headlight and wipers would be on the colomn.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Orange

....Only problem - what about the button? DLB

Use it as an indicator to let you know your blinker is on???

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by chosn 1

to answer your ? TravisH that guage is an exhaust gas temp beacause im running upto 80 psi of boost and i need that one right in my vision so that i dont have a meltdown from pulling too hard for too long, that 57 cluster in c10addicts really rocks tho!

80 psi of boost ?

80 psi?

80?

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

80 psi of boost ?

80 psi?

80?

I am guessing he may have a diesel in this rig? My cummins ford will burry my 60psi gauge and this winter it will be reworked and have twins capable of 80+psi of boost.

[arkie726]

Sweet!!!