metal dash

[cerial]

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.

[Just call me Sean]

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.

[enaberif]

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

[KQQL IT]

64_66 dash fits pretty easy

[cerial]

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.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by enaberif

and honestly I'd be more worried about the massive steering wheel leaving a dent in my head than the dash..

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

[andrewmp6]

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

[Tx Firefighter]

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.

[Bears63]

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.

[Tx Firefighter]

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.



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

[Bears63]

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

[cerial]

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

[cerial]

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?

[slotard]

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?

[Tx Firefighter]

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.

[slotard]

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?

[KQQL IT]

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

[slotard]

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.

[KQQL IT]

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

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

[Tx Firefighter]

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.

[KQQL IT]

How did you attache the side of yours?

[slotard]

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.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by enaberif

.. and honestly I'd be more worried about the massive steering wheel leaving a dent in my head than the dash..

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

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by enaberif

DIY4x makes one for our trucks.. Not cheap by any means .. http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=148

man that's fugly

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

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.



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

you did an awesome job, that looks amazing