59 Apache/C6 Corvette build

[dsraven]

good plan. it sucks to be in a vehicle for any length of time if the steering wheel, speedo cluster and pedals aren't kinda lined up with the seating position. or if the pedal is cramped up against the doghouse or the speedo cluster is hidden by the steering wheel. I've been in a few builds like this where it all looked good and was assembled but then when you get in you can't see where the key goes in, can't see the gas gauge or speedo well, your leg is crammed against the console, the brake pedal is too close or too far away from the accel pedal or your foot slowly falls under the brake pedal after a bit of driving, the console height is a bunch different height than the door arm rest, you know, all those funny little things that make you wanna drive something else on that trip instead. "yup, it's nice but I'll take the car this time", or "my neck is sure stiff after that drive". that mirror looked good from outside but I can't see it past the door pillar
thats why we mock up with seats etc, so we know if we need to change something before paint or final touches. I was in one build with the owner and he was always shifting his auto into neutral while driving because the shifter was placed too far back in the console. kinda like my wife's acura. I am always turning on the wipers when I turn a corner, fat fingers. haha.

[tdishon]

Yep. The arm rests always bug me when they are in the wrong spot or don't match up with the middle rest. I agree that this a very important part of the build so I wanted to get it addressed now because this will be a driver.

[6DoF]

i like the dash, well played.

with my Yukon seat, i ended up in a similar spot as you with the factory cluster about 1.5" offset. for my cobble fix, i re-drilled the mount for the column to the dash offset. if you look close, it looks funny with the V offset from the shaft ... but when sitting in there the cluster is centered in your vision thru the wheel and the wheel is close enough to center to not feel odd.

[dsraven]

was it jeep who had the wheel offset from the pedals etc? can't remember (my name half the time. lol).

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by dsraven

was it jeep who had the wheel offset from the pedals etc? can't remember (my name half the time. lol).

it's been a while since i've had stock brackets or seats ... but i think you are right. if i remember correctly there was a seat to wheel offset in old wranglers.

[tdishon]

I think alot of old vehicles compensated for the large steering wheel by moving it to the right an inch or two. Hardly noticeable. but with a smaller wheel and power steering, it becomes more obvious.

[tdishon]

Dash done. Lots of work on ashtray to hold A/C controls. But it is in and I like the dash not narrowed with the position of the seat now. The transition needed some work, but looks amazing now.

[tdishon]

More dash and A/C controls:

[tdishon]

Stereo mount fixed too

[tdishon]

Now on to the grill. Hammer Fab is blowing away my expectations!
mixing the GMC with the Chevy ends. The ends are enlarged to fill the space and will be blinker and cooling intakes.

[6DoF]

the metal work is amazing

[youngrodder]

Very slick...

Marc

[57FleetsideC4]

Beautiful work!! It's going to be a masterpiece! Steve

[tdishon]

Thanks guys.

Either the grill and side vents will look right or a little monstrous.

[dsraven]

It only matters if you like it that's what counts. Awesome metalworking keep the pics coming, curious to see the finished dash too.

[tdishon]

Here is a vid of the dash ashtray conversion operation. Looks very stock.
https://youtu.be/8v0zcyD9Nms

[dsraven]

link doesn't work, just sends an error code

[tdishon]

Originally Posted by dsraven

link doesn't work, just sends an error code

I moved it to Youtube. Hopefully will work now.

[tdishon]

Progress

[gottattooz]

Killer job on the grille.

-Josh

[tdishon]

Front getting dialed in. Lots of slicing and dicing the 51 Caddy bumper to fit just right.

[Jason 56]

I like the bumper. I tried to modify my old one and couldn’t get anything I like. That is going to be one custom ride when they’re done!

[57FleetsideC4]

That's going to be killer when done. Fantastic fab skills. Steve

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by tdishon

Front getting dialed in. Lots of slicing and dicing the 51 Caddy bumper to fit just right.

Someone call a veterinarian, because this puppy is sick!!

Ask him how much to make another one (=

[dsraven]

It would be cool to see a front/side pic from further back if you get primer on stuff. Are you planning on fresh paint, some fresh paint buffed to look like sunbaked paint or maybe some homespun rusty patina?