What are these holes for?

[davepl]

They look factory but I don't think they are. I've asked before but just with a text description, so here's a photo. I'm talking about the one at the bottom left of the key and the one on the bottom right of the lighter.

There was a CB radio in this truck in the 70s, it may have been mounting for that. Sadly if that's the case I failed to get them welded up. That'll be hole #2 and #3 that I missed!

Or are these for a brace or something?

[FirstOwner69]

I've never seen those before. Definitely not factory. They must be for something added by the previous owner(s). Perhaps switches for an added accessory.

[71 super]

Those are definite add ons, switch for lights and cb or any of a dozen camper accessories. Did you figure out what the studs on the air cleaner were for?

[jocko]

that is what they look like to me - accessory on/off switch holes (not factory). They're about the right diameter for one of those little things. Looks like you'll need to add some gizmo so you can control it via those two new switches you're about to buy!

Looks gorgeous, am sure you are frustrated with this though.

[hamjet]

Throw a toggle switch in one of the holes and put a label that says NOS, that'll get your buddys talking...

[michael bustamante]

I wonder if they are bolt holes that a bar was mounted on and the cb mounted to the bar along with something else?? Like toggle switches or more gauges or something

[Stocker]

Gotta agree with all the rest -- definitely not factory. Best guess switches or maybe even small lights.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by hamjet

Throw a toggle switch in one of the holes and put a label that says NOS, that'll get your buddys talking...

Ha ha and on the other one a button that says "ejection seat"!

[71blksuper4x4]

You could just buy some console rubber bumpers or
some nylon door panel type push in buttons to cap the holes if needed. Trevor

[FirstOwner69]

You could design a nice billet (or classy material of your liking) cup holder that uses them for mounting and drops beneath the A/C controls.

[SS Tim]

They were added later in life. The early picture show the tape player, camper intercom and one of the speakers but nothing in those two locations. The later picture, when Jesse had it, clearly shows something round and silver on the right side. Maybe a unused screw or plug even.
Jim's idea has merit at this point and a set of vintage taylor made gimbal boat cup holders would be a great choice.

[Grumpy old man]

Whoopsy ! Call that expensive restoration shop and have them fix it ,They should have known themselves .

[Classic Bowties]

My vote is that the two holes were drilled for either toggle switches or the universal add on push-pull on/off type switches that were commonly used for aftermarket accessories like lighting. Mel

[Grumpy old man]

Those old switches required drilling a 1/2 " hole to mount them , I'm betting they drilled the one on the far right to mount a cb mike holder and then after realizing it was to far to reach drilled the one on the left to reach the mike easier .There just weren't a whole lot of micro switches available back then . it's definitely not for any type 8 track mount as their uneven .That's it one for mike holder and the other for a drink holder ...

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Those old switches required drilling a 1/2 " hole to mount them , I'm betting they drilled the one on the far right to mount a cb mike holder and then after realizing it was to far to reach drilled the one on the left to reach the mike easier .There just weren't a whole lot of micro switches available back then . it's definitely not for any type 8 track mount as their uneven .That's it one for mike holder and the other for a drink holder ...

Well, you know it's a slow day when we are talking about unintentional holes! LOL

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Whoopsy ! Call that expensive restoration shop and have them fix it ,They should have known themselves .

You'd think, and they got the firewall right, but I took it upon myself to tag things I wanted welded up (CB antenna, aux tank switch, etc) and missed this one.

As FirstOwner shows in the old photo, there were just flat head screws in there but it looked reasonably authentic, and not having had one of these trucks in 25 years I completely missed it.

I also missed a similar hole where they had added a parking brake light (which is funny because once you've done the switch you've already done the hard part, just tie it to the brown brake light wire, no hole or extra light required).

In that case I used a black grommet without a hole (a black rubber plug, I guess). Against the dark blue it kind of disappears.

I have to shoot a couple of other interior pieces yet, I'll spray a set of plugs in the dash color. That should hide them. And if I ever want a CB radio I'm ahead of the game!

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by davepl

I have to shoot a couple of other interior pieces yet, I'll spray a set of plugs in the dash color. That should hide them. And if I ever want a CB radio I'm ahead of the game!

Sounds like you are pretty serious about fixing it as best without welding and re-doing the entire dash.

Sounds like you have matching paint and paint skills.

IF you could get a couple slugs of metal perfectly round the size of the holes, and painted them to match, you could use a small flat magnet (piece of fabric to prevent scratch) to hold them flush to the surface then clear epoxy them in from the backside.

The only hard part is getting or making the slugs.

Just don't use too much epoxy so when you get that CB you can pop them out! LOL

[Coley]

I highly recommend the color keyed snap-in caps or similar.
Easy stuff, look good and minimal work involved.
My truck had a hole in the lower dash when I got it and I used a real simply snap-cap spray painted a very close inner dash color and put 'er in.
I don't even notice the hole or the cap....nor does anyone else to my knowledge.
If you use reasonable care and some well matched color they will look fairly factory installed.

I've included a couple of pics of my snap cap improvisation.

All Good
Coley

[tommys72]

^^looks good

[davepl]

That's the plan, Stan. Looks good. I also like the patina under the ignition switch. It's cool when something wears due to decades of use (as opposed to weather and abuse).

[Grumpy old man]

Yes buttons work on a driver but on a NOS build after spending all that time and money why short cut it at the end .It's just a couple holes in an accessible area of the dash . Why stop now ? it's only money you'll make more .

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Yes buttons work on a driver but on a NOS build after spending all that time and money why short cut it at the end .It's just a couple holes in an accessible area of the dash . Why stop now ? it's only money you'll make more .

X2, unless, you put a "radio delete" plate in there to go with it to make it blend in.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

X2, unless, you put a "radio delete" plate in there to go with it to make it blend in.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by davepl

That's the plan, Stan. Looks good. I also like the patina under the ignition switch. It's cool when something wears due to decades of use (as opposed to weather and abuse).

I noticed the paint wear by key chain also and I recall my truck having that before dad had it painted.

This is a great thread: I'll have to hide some toggles under the dash when it comes time to put in the back up camera or if I ever get a larger truck and put in cab (roof) lights.