Custom Dash Build

[robnolimit]

Your right if your thinking that we don't do a lot of off-road stuff here at No Limit. But, lately we've been involved in a few. Here are some shots of a dash we built in to a '72 Blazer. Power is coming from a 6.0 LS from an H2, and they have rounded up some cool military H1 stuff (spare tire carrier is way cool). They came to us for a solution to the "space problem" they had. The list of electronics and instruments was way more than the stock dash could handle, AND, they wanted to use the new Vintage Air Gen IV Monster unit. Last note, the Blazer that they started with had a badly cut up dash.

We started out by finishing off the dash removal and cleaning up the winshield lip. Then mounting the A/C unit. We had to box into the vent channel for clearance, but this can be done. There is just enough room for the wiper arm to clear.

[robnolimit]

In the last pict you can also see the end caps that were fitted between the cage and the A-pillar, as well as the dash end caps fitted to the cage bars.
We built the dash from .090 aluminum. The goal was to have something that could be removed, and/or updated, so we worked out a modular design. One of my favorite add-ons is the built in cooler.

[robnolimit]

Once the fab work was done, we chose an industrial powder coat in a textured flat black. The assembly hardware is stainless, but not polished. For the defroster outlets we chose to dimple a series of holes rather than a slot, mostly for the look.

[robnolimit]

The 'modular' plan makes for some extra work, but the assembly and install is easier. The center consol and info panel framing go in next. We had to fit in the H2 shifter and the 4x4 switching. The Vintage Air controls will also be in the front of the lower console, as well as the wiper swith.

[robnolimit]

Next to go in are the dash faces. The drivers side is full. the A/C vents are from a late model chevy p/u. We ran out of space for the fourth vent, so a small under dash vent was built into the bottm of the dash face. It has a mechanical gate to regulate airflow. There is also ducting dehind the conlose to direct the floor heat out from behind the console to each side.

[robnolimit]

The column passes through the new dash and will use an early Jeep grommet when finished. The guages mount like normal. The small hole in the top right is for the headlight switch.

[robnolimit]

In the center, there will be a Lowrance GPS, touch screen head unit and CB, as well as all of the indicator lights. Just behind the shifter is a bank of switches in a secondary face plate. We had the center face and the switch place skinned in carbon fiber - sorry, no picts yet. OK, don't hack on the steering wheel, it's not going to stay. With the dash fab and mock up done, the rig is off to the body shop. I expect to see it again in 5 to 6 months. When it makes it back, I'll get some picts of the whole thing all dolled up. Hope you like it.

[skorpioskorpio]

Looks really good. One question though, what is the difference between the VA Gen IV unit in this and the "Surefit" kit for these trucks which is supposed to be a Gen IV unit?

[robnolimit]

The Sure fits now use the Gen IV controls, which can blend heat and A/C for the defrost. The Monster unit is about 20% larger than the sure fit.