Custom made wood dash & door trim panels

[ECU PIRATE]

I just wanted to throw this out there and see if there was any interest or comments...........

My day job is working for a custom cabinet maker and distributor (amateur wood worker / fabricator on the side). I got tired off pulling off a dash pad and finding some if not all, of the mounting tabs and the back of the dash trim to be broken. Looking for that dare to be different situation, I decided to see if they could be made out of wood.

With the help of my buddy who is the shop manager, I came up with these mock ups. I decided to use a 73-80 dash as my model since I like the rounded style. These are just preliminary right now for fit before we shave them down a little bit, sand them and, spray them. The wood you see is Cherry but, I was thnking about using some Black Walnut or Mahogany on my truck. I am also thinking about using the same color but a thinner woodgrain skin over my dash bezel.

I am working on a template for the 81-87 dashes next but, the key would be to shave the wood down as much as possible where the dash meets the door panel on the passenger side. My hope is to possibly upgrade my membership and put these into production if there is some interest. If not, I will be the only joker rolling around like this. I got the idea from a Big 10 that i saw in the junkyard over the summer. It seems the PO did the same thing.

Let me know your thoughts men. I can get some better pics for you once we work on the mock up a little bit.

[74 C-30]

i like the dash piece, my truck has a factory woodgrain one and that would be a cool replacement

[DubDubU]

Very nice

[1LowToy]

Looks like a great idea. Sure would be nice to give the dash piece a personal touch with a little engraving. Mine has AC vents and I gotta keep my co-pilot cool.

[old Rusty C10]

1 low said it best there needs to be one to accomodate ac vents and perhaps if its not a copyright infringement the logo for the trucks engraved into it or wood burned in

[b454rat]

My crew has an interior similar to those. Course those are much nicer....I like it, it's different than the fake aluminum that most have.

[54Caddy]

what would also look good is some wood grain affect painted panels, we will be learing this at school maybe ill give it a try on an old dash piece here in a couple of weeks.

[Driveway Dreams]

I think that would be a cool touch with a dark stain. Like almost black kind of dark.

[54Caddy]

yea ill try a few different colors maybe well see how i do

[old Rusty C10]

you could also make an accomodation for the pull strap too

[britnjc]

How about make a whole dash outta wood. Now that would be cool

[wklink]

Not in the PNW, it would start to rot.

Nice inserts though. I might have to consider those when I eventually start to redo the truck.

[TexasJeff]

I remember back in the day when these trucks were new, Choo Choo Customs
used to do the same type of parts for trucks and vans.

[Oldschool82]

nice work.

[C-10 simplex]

1) Thanks for referring to me as a man; Because, sadly, i am not a yet a man. But thanks anyways.


2) i may be interested in this as a custom job, but can you show me how these, or the stock pieces are attached to the dash/dash pad?

[ECU PIRATE]

As far as the mounting goes, I have planned on using a small threaded bolt with the head cut off, recessed into the back of the trim. The dash trim will be installed into the pre cut holes in the dash with a washer and a nut. The same can be done on the door panel trim. Per old Rusty's insight, I am thinking about how to incorporate the mounting location for the door pull strap and how thge original covers can be re-used (if @ all). Should not be too hard although the factory screw can be used due to the panel depth. I will post some updated photos next week. These were just planed down ot the thickness I as looking for.

[bradf74]

I just did this about a month ago in the dash. I added a couple pieces for guages and a custom console. I will post pics tomorrow

[bumslie75]

I might have to try this if its OK with you

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by bumslie75

I might have to try this if its OK with you

No problems. This is a place to share ideas and gather information. We are all trying to accomplish the same things..............to have sick ass trucks

[Stitch]

It's a little too think for my liking...there is a guy here in town that can airbrush wood grain on anything...I was thinking about getting him to airbrush the wood on my stuff, but it's expensive...he uses acetylene or something to make it look like wood grain...very cool stuff...

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

It's a little too think for my liking...there is a guy here in town that can airbrush wood grain on anything...I was thinking about getting him to airbrush the wood on my stuff, but it's expensive...he uses acetylene or something to make it look like wood grain...very cool stuff...

I have them down to about 1/2" thick right now. Can't take them down to much more or I will not be able to mount them. I saw Chip Foose do exactly what you are talking about on an episode of Overhaulin'. Very nice indeed. I have a buddy who does custom spray work. I may have to talk to him (same guy that is going to spray up my molding with one of his custom finishes..........

[motornut]

The truck i got was custom built in texas with all inlay wood,all signed on the back by who ever made them,Vacation Customs from texas.....just found another plainsman this weekend on here(only two i know of). I have since removed all the "good stuff" and replaced with blue bits till body work....mounted with screws threw oak to the scrap wood braces under panels

[bumslie75]

there was one like that today in the pick a part to bad it was all broken to heck

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by motornut

The truck i got was custom built in texas with all inlay wood,all signed on the back by who ever made them,Vacation Customs from texas.....just found another plainsman this weekend on here(only two i know of). I have since removed all the "good stuff" and replaced with blue bits till body work....mounted with screws threw oak to the scrap wood braces under panels

I guess some of us like to keep it old skool with wood and metal over plastic. Good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by ECU PIRATE

I guess some of us like to keep it old skool with wood and metal over plastic. Good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yep that why my choo choo custom truck get all new made