My 57 build (lots of pictures)

[dennis57]

I couldn't leave it alone tonight so I went back out after dinner and worked on getting it straight. I ended up cutting it apart on the right side and lifting it about 1/4". Tomorrow I'll make a piece to fill the edge and reshape the part behind the edge on both sides.


I think it might work after all.

[ChuckDriver]

Dennis, I was just glad to help out a fellow truck guy! It's looking good so far, can't wait to see how it turns out!!

[Kim57]

That looks pretty cool.
What do you plan on filling it with?
Kim

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by Kim57

That looks pretty cool.
What do you plan on filling it with?
Kim

I'm not 100% sure yet. My be a logo painted on the back side of a piece of lexan or a LCD display behind some lexan.

[Kabwe]

Hey man, it will work. Looking better and better. What really would have been freaky is if you moved the glove box in the center. But I don't want to give you any ideas.lol It would give you a glove box that is functional. You could even mount your sound system in there, but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Hey man, it will work. Looking better and better. What really would have been freaky is if you moved the glove box in the center. but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol It would have give you a move love and functional. You could even mount your sound system in there, but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol

Wait till you see what's next.

[hotrodrookie]

Did you cut out the dash before you tacked it in?

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

Did you cut out the dash before you tacked it in?

yep. The smooth dash is butt welded to the old stuff.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by dennis57

Wait till you see what's next.

I meant to say a glove box that is functional.lol
Its looking good so far and I'm waiting to see whats next. lol

[71naughty]

the trucks comin along good ill be watching to see what else u come up with.

[OrrieG]

Interesting, I'm following this too. I am confused, in the first photo in post 77 you say you are starting but the center and right side of dash are smooth. Rest of the photos show all the stock holes, etc.

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Interesting, I'm following this too. I am confused, in the first photo in post 77 you say you are starting but the center and right side of dash are smooth. Rest of the photos show all the stock holes, etc.

OrrieG, I had a smooth panel I bought from Brothers stuck on the dash to see how it was going to look.

[dennis57]

It was a good day today. I started about 7am trying to get this dash fit. I ended up making several cuts to help move the metal around managed to get is all welded up and looking kind of crappy. Anyway after grinding it didn't look too bad but i was still worried how it would look so I spread some bondo on and roughed it in. I think it will be ok so I went ahead with fitting the smooth dash panel in. I got it about 50% tacked in.

Here it is after welding. lots of low spots. I beat on it for about an hour to try and get the low spots up and I think its ok, not great but ok.

After some bondo. Looks better.


Fitting the smooth dash panel.

Tacked in.

[GRIMSS]

Turned out looking great.

[ChuckDriver]

Looking good Dennis! Can't wait to see what you have in mind for the rest of it!

[dennis57]

I've been welding and grinding all day and finally have close enough to move on to the next step. I'm tired of grinding and I ran out of discs.

[Kim57]

That looks pretty sweet Dennis.
I know what you mean about grinding and welding. It can drag on me sometimes also.
Kim

[nickp51chevy]

Dude, that looks sick! I can't wait to see the finished product.

[dennis57]

Thanks guys. I can't wait to see the finished product either. It might take me a bit before I post any more progress shots because I'm not sure how I want to proceed with the next part. I have about 3 different ideas I'm considering so it'll take me the next couple of weeks to sort through them. Until then I'll watch you guys get something done.

[GRIMSS]

I like the use of the dash top for the bottom.

[Big Block]

Wow, your truck is start to take shape. Looks good. Thanks for sharing your pictures of your build. It takes time and money a place to work on a project. I'm jealous, I don't have any of the above right now. Keep up the good work.

[Kim57]

I like the first one with the console coming out of the radius.
Kim

[nickp51chevy]

I like the second one, with the console coming out at the bottom.

[OrrieG]

Are you converting to right hand drive too? Or does the passenger get their own speedo??? What are you using for seats? will the console run between them or into them?

[dennis57]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Are you converting to right hand drive too? Or does the passenger get their own speedo??? What are you using for seats? will the console run between them or into them?

lol, I'm going to put something to fill up the second bezel but I'm not sure what yet. Maybe an LCD display or a painted logo or a speaker and clock. Right now my rough plan is to have the console run between some low back buckets and have the wrap come up to the bottom of the rear window and around to the rear of the door jam like the old Corvette did. It will be only about 1" deep along the back of the seat. The wraparound may not work so might not get used.