dash extender

[lynx5653]

I have seen many trucks with lower dash extensions are these custom built or can they be purchased somewhere? I have a 59 apache and would like one if they are available.

Thanks for any help

[mr48chev]

A photo of what you are looking for might help guys come with something. Years ago I saved a piece that goes under the dash of an early 70's Ford Maverick that has a couple of cubbie holes to stick stuff in. It's still out in the shed somewhere where it's been for 25 years. I don't know of much in the aftermarket but you might look under the dashes of cars and trucks out of the early 70's to see if there is a panel that can be removed and modified. International travelalls (sp?) come to mind for some reason.

[youngrodder]

Lynx5653

I had my lower dash panel made out of steel. I also reshaped the bottom of then dash so it goes straight across.

Marc

[torchlight]

I've often heard these called a "valance" and all I've seen are custom made.

[youngrodder]

I have also seen some made out of paneling and such that you would use for upholstery. Then they cover them in the same material as the rest of the interior.

Marc

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

....I also reshaped the bottom of then dash so it goes straight across.

Marc

Marc, Any more info on this "reshaping"? Any photos?

[_Ogre]

mine is home made out of fiberglass
the base is cardboard mailing tube and plywood held together with hot glue gun and staples

[lynx5653]

that looks really nice, wish I knew how to do fiberglass work. I really like the cover for steering column. Might try youngrodder's aproach and use a piece of metal, his look nice also.

Thanks for pics

[54 jimmy]

here is pics of my lower dash extensions.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Marc, Any more info on this "reshaping"? Any photos?

Dan-


Here are a few pics that show my dash better.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Basically I cut the bottom of the dash off that dips down (where the ignition switch and other stuff where located). Then I welded in new metal to fill the void. This just allows for a straight across piece of metal for the lower panel. I have seen it also done where the dash is left in tack and the lower dash panel is contoured to fit around the factory dash where it dips down.

Make sense?

Marc

[Dan in Pasadena]

Perfect sense. Thanks!

Do you own a sheet metal brake? Us that how you made you extender/valance? Have it don't by others, or maybe weld up from flat sheet?
Posted via Mobile Device

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Perfect sense. Thanks!

Do you own a sheet metal brake? Us that how you made you extender/valance? Have it don't by others, or maybe weld up from flat sheet?
Posted via Mobile Device

It was made by a friend of mine with a break. You could make it by any of the ways you mentioned. You could also make it out of board/paneling and upholster.

Marc

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Marc,
I notice therre is no link to a build thread in your signature so I did a search on your name for threads you'd started. I found plenty but none of them are really a "build thread".

I like your truck so much I wondered how a "young rodder" could build something so nice? Then I saw you'd mentioned its been an 11 year build so I'm wondering if your last name is "Young" or if you WERE young when you started the build? Maybe 12 years old?!! ha ha. I am curious just how good/bad condition your truck was in when you began because she's nice as can be now. HUGE congrats on such a nice ride. - Dan

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Dan-

Basically I cut the bottom of the dash off that dips down (where the ignition switch and other stuff where located). Then I welded in new metal to fill the void. This just allows for a straight across piece of metal for the lower panel. I have seen it also done where the dash is left in tack and the lower dash panel is contoured to fit around the factory dash where it dips down.

Make sense?

Marc

Did you re-build the structure that is at the bottom of the dash too or just fill the void? Wondering about doing this to mine, but not sure how much work I'm willing to do on it.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Thanks Marc,
I notice therre is no link to a build thread in your signature so I did a search on your name for threads you'd started. I found plenty but none of them are really a "build thread".

I like your truck so much I wondered how a "young rodder" could build something so nice? Then I saw you'd mentioned its been an 11 year build so I'm wondering if your last name is "Young" or if you WERE young when you started the build? Maybe 12 years old?!! ha ha. I am curious just how good/bad condition your truck was in when you began because she's nice as can be now. HUGE congrats on such a nice ride. - Dan

Dan-

Good detective work...No build thread. Yes I was much "younger" when I started the project. I was in my late 20's and most of people my age were not into street rods so that is what gave me the idea for the name. The truck was a driver when I bought it but looking back I didn't use/keep much of the original truck. This project was started prior to being married and prior to my (2) boys being born. For these two reasons the truck budget took a hit. I also did myself no favors going with air ride and a fuel injected engine to name a few.

All that is left is to finish the interior which I will be working on now until spring. Any other questions, give me a shout.

Thanks for the kind words.

Marc

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

Did you re-build the structure that is at the bottom of the dash too or just fill the void? Wondering about doing this to mine, but not sure how much work I'm willing to do on it.

I really didn't restructure the dash much as I didn't see a need for it. Keep in mind that the dash will also gain some support from the lower valance if you make it out of metal (which mine is).

Marc

[kpdalton]

The ones I've seen are the vintage air kits that are premade for 47-53 trucks. Or later if you have the later model. People will paint them to match the dash.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by kpdalton

The ones I've seen are the vintage air kits that are premade for 47-53 trucks. Or later if you have the later model. People will paint them to match the dash.

That's what I have now and it just looks...well....plastic.

[kpdalton]

You could always do like mine, rip out the dash and start over making it long and clean.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by lynx5653

that looks really nice, wish I knew how to do fiberglass work. I really like the cover for steering column. Might try youngrodder's aproach and use a piece of metal, his look nice also.

Thanks for pics

my interior was my first fg build
check out the interior build link in my signature
easy peasy

[mr48chev]

That's pretty slick KPdalton. It's one way to fix a hacked up dash were someone chopped it up to put a head unit in at some time or other damage that dashes seem to get in the name of modifying.

I had exhaust tubing bent to make a new dash for the 48 back in the 80's but it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. Several guys took the idea and ran with it and turned out some really nice dashes over the years though.

I've saved a dash out of a car I used to have that will get modified to put in the 48 now. I replaced that dash with a near perfect one out of a parts car and saved the old one.