Any trully custom instrument panels? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigcarguy · 07-26-2002, 11:27 AM

I know some people have the digital dashes, but I was wondering if anyone had anything that they made themselves rather than ordering. I have the idiot lights now and saw that it'd be around $400-$500 to get the dash with guages. So i was thinking of just cutting a piece of sheet metal or something, putting new white face guages in it and paint it to match the interior. Anyone do anything similar or have any ideas for this sort of thing?

Smooth68 · 07-26-2002, 12:51 PM

Here is something one guy did - very cool!

XXL · 07-26-2002, 06:14 PM

I'm planning something like that, though I haven't started on it yet. My plan is to do a single flat piece of steel from side to side, tucking the top lip up to the top edge of the existing dash face and covering that edge with the stock dash pad. On the bottom, giving it a small roll in the last couple of inches, then pinning the bottom corners on either side in a bit (if you follow the bottom edge of the dash toward the doors, you'll see that the jam is cut too deep for a straight dash at the corners. Then for instruments, a pair of 5" round gauges-- one for speedo, the other for 4 oil/water/fuel/voltage, something like these--

or these--

... sitting at basically 2 and 10 o'clock on either side of the steering wheel.

Kenneth

BTW, the dash posted by ProSt68Trk is superb!

*racedvl* · 07-26-2002, 11:14 PM

When the funds ($$$) are there, I wanna use aftermarket guages and a glovebox door.

barn9 · 07-26-2002, 11:26 PM

Ya gotta help me out here, whadahell is a trully?

HA! I just noticed! Post # 1109. Anyone out there ever heard the 1109 joke (hint - it's a welder's thing)?

Smooth68 · 07-26-2002, 11:31 PM

cool guages Kenneth! Are they affordable?

XXL · 07-27-2002, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProSt68Trk
cool guages Kenneth! Are they affordable?

*Gulp* I don't know yet. I asked for a quote a week or so ago but I haven't heard back from them yet. Like many 'old timer' rodders, they may only check email when they remember how to turn on the computer. But... ultimately it doesn't really matter how much they are, does it

BTW, they also have the speedo without that silver ring in the middle. I just posted the wrong one. I prefer the one without the ring. (The ring is actually there so they can do a "Boyd's" logo on it, which drives the cost up even more due to licensing the name Boyds!).

I'll let you know what I find out on price.

Kenneth

XXL · 07-27-2002, 07:41 PM

Just tinkering...

Kenneth

XXL · 07-27-2002, 08:14 PM

More piddling...

Kenneth

XXL · 07-29-2002, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProSt68Trk
cool guages Kenneth! Are they affordable?

Apparently I'm the only one talking on this thread (don't worry, I can talk to myself for hours

).

I just got a response from Classic Instruments on my request for price quote. I'm guessing they're expensive as here's what they said...

Quote:

Kenneth,
Thank you for writing, Yes we have 0-90ohm in a 4.95" series along with
the speedo and we have them on the shelf.

If you would like to order please call and ask for sales at 1-800-575-0461.

(I recall the old adage that if you have to ask you can't afford them

).

Kenneth

jay-dawg · 07-29-2002, 09:07 PM

well, I like looking at your threads. You have some great ideas. Keep em coming.

jay

billogna · 07-29-2002, 09:16 PM

I don't remember who posted this, but good idea, glovebox door.

Denny · 07-29-2002, 11:07 PM

Cool pictures. Those Boyd gauges are neat. Keep em coming

Smooth68 · 07-29-2002, 11:46 PM

Thanks for the reply XXL - were not ignoring you, just trying to keep live in order! (3 young sons -

) I like the looks of you "dash mods" keep them coming for sure.

XXL · 08-02-2002, 09:16 PM

Tomorrow I start cutting (*gulp*)...

Kenneth

**basketcase** · 08-02-2002, 10:56 PM

I really like that '59 Chevy dash. That was about the only part of a '59 that didn't rust severely which is why not too many are left in the yards.

**Tim Christian** · 08-02-2002, 11:05 PM

Well I broke down today and ordered the Polished Billet dash with Autometer gauges from No limit! Ouch in the Billfold

Mountain Man · 08-02-2002, 11:07 PM

Benrs86 · 08-02-2002, 11:12 PM

mountain man, you REALLY overfilled that thing. your gauges look sweet. is that the exterior paint color or just a gray? is your dash purple in that silver pickup? im gonna need to paint my background like that if i dont end up getting a dakota digital.

Mountain Man · 08-02-2002, 11:19 PM

Benrs86, my interior of my cab is called deep cherry burgandy. And all the trim - dash pad, carpet , etc. is black. I thought that it would go with the new silver exterior, so I left it, when I repainted the exterior platinum silver. I have put a pic below showing the whole interior (please excuse the spots in the picture, my lens was dirty). I have a set of factory 67/68 buckets with the flip down center, that need recovering , but they will complete my interior.

Benrs86 · 08-02-2002, 11:25 PM

mountainman that does look nice, seeing the whole picture. your pickup is awesome man. now, is it my eyes, or is there a sheep in the center of your windshield?????

Mountain Man · 08-02-2002, 11:41 PM

Benrs86 - LOL!! It is not a sheep, it is a scare crow that is sitting in the corner of the garage. My wife was using it as a halloween prop, outside last October.

I forgot to answer one of your questions. The silver that I used to paint the speedo and fuel guage is the same platinum silver that the body shop used to paint my exterior. I used florescent orange for the needles.

XXL · 08-03-2002, 05:40 PM

I started working on my dash today...

Weee!

Kenneth

Benrs86 · 08-03-2002, 05:56 PM

looks good xxl

one more thing mountainman, did you have the bodyman paint them with your pickup, or did he give you a spray can of the color or what? i want some of my parts my body color for the interior and just thought i would ask since you did it. thanks, Ben

Chevyc10! · 08-03-2002, 06:58 PM

I can't believe I haven't thought of using a glove box door...Sweet. It's already smoothed and easy to modify. Looks nice.

07-26-2002, 11:27 AM	#1
bigcarguy Finally a Bulldawg Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 220	Any trully custom instrument panels? I know some people have the digital dashes, but I was wondering if anyone had anything that they made themselves rather than ordering. I have the idiot lights now and saw that it'd be around $400-$500 to get the dash with guages. So i was thinking of just cutting a piece of sheet metal or something, putting new white face guages in it and paint it to match the interior. Anyone do anything similar or have any ideas for this sort of thing? __________________ Ah yes, the college life. School all morning, work all night, study when ya can. Uh...

07-26-2002, 12:51 PM	#2
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	Here is something one guy did - very cool! __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

07-26-2002, 06:14 PM	#3
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	I'm planning something like that, though I haven't started on it yet. My plan is to do a single flat piece of steel from side to side, tucking the top lip up to the top edge of the existing dash face and covering that edge with the stock dash pad. On the bottom, giving it a small roll in the last couple of inches, then pinning the bottom corners on either side in a bit (if you follow the bottom edge of the dash toward the doors, you'll see that the jam is cut too deep for a straight dash at the corners. Then for instruments, a pair of 5" round gauges-- one for speedo, the other for 4 oil/water/fuel/voltage, something like these-- or these-- ... sitting at basically 2 and 10 o'clock on either side of the steering wheel. Kenneth BTW, the dash posted by ProSt68Trk is superb! __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

07-26-2002, 11:26 PM	#5
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Ya gotta help me out here, whadahell is a trully? HA! I just noticed! Post # 1109. Anyone out there ever heard the 1109 joke (hint - it's a welder's thing)? __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. Last edited by barn9; 07-26-2002 at 11:31 PM.

07-26-2002, 11:31 PM	#6
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	cool guages Kenneth! Are they affordable? __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

07-26-2002, 11:14 PM	#4
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	When the funds ($$$) are there, I wanna use aftermarket guages and a glovebox door.

07-27-2002, 07:41 PM	#8
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Just tinkering... Kenneth Attached Images __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

07-27-2002, 08:14 PM	#9
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	More piddling... Kenneth Attached Images __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

07-29-2002, 09:07 PM	#11
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	well, I like looking at your threads. You have some great ideas. Keep em coming. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-29-2002, 09:16 PM	#12
billogna Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Choctaw, OK Posts: 235	I don't remember who posted this, but good idea, glovebox door. Attached Images __________________ '69 Chev Cust/10 swb, 350/700R4, 5"/6" '70 Chev C10 swb, 67 front, 454/700r4, 4"/5" '73 Chev stepper, 350/3 spd '84 Chev K20 350/4 spd '91 GMC 1500 Suburban 4x4, 350/700R4

07-29-2002, 11:07 PM	#13
Denny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cedar Hill, MO Posts: 426	Cool pictures. Those Boyd gauges are neat. Keep em coming __________________ 1969 Chevy C10. Dakota Digital Gauges, 383 Votex Engine, MSD 8361 Distributor, MSD 6A Unit, Demon Carb, Phoenix Transmission 4L80E trans, 3:73 Posi Rear End Early Classics 6 Lug Disc Brakes and Spindles All Stainless Lines

07-29-2002, 11:46 PM	#14
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	Thanks for the reply XXL - were not ignoring you, just trying to keep live in order! (3 young sons - ) I like the looks of you "dash mods" keep them coming for sure. __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

08-02-2002, 09:16 PM	#15
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Tomorrow I start cutting (gulp)... Kenneth Attached Images __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

08-02-2002, 10:56 PM	#16
basketcase Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Edgerton OH USA Posts: 631	I really like that '59 Chevy dash. That was about the only part of a '59 that didn't rust severely which is why not too many are left in the yards. __________________ '69 swb stepside in progress. '59 Corvette lifetime project

08-02-2002, 11:05 PM	#17
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Well I broke down today and ordered the Polished Billet dash with Autometer gauges from No limit! Ouch in the Billfold



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08-02-2002, 11:07 PM	#18
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	__________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

08-02-2002, 11:12 PM	#19
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	mountain man, you REALLY overfilled that thing. your gauges look sweet. is that the exterior paint color or just a gray? is your dash purple in that silver pickup? im gonna need to paint my background like that if i dont end up getting a dakota digital. __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

08-02-2002, 11:19 PM	#20
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	Benrs86, my interior of my cab is called deep cherry burgandy. And all the trim - dash pad, carpet , etc. is black. I thought that it would go with the new silver exterior, so I left it, when I repainted the exterior platinum silver. I have put a pic below showing the whole interior (please excuse the spots in the picture, my lens was dirty). I have a set of factory 67/68 buckets with the flip down center, that need recovering , but they will complete my interior. __________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

08-02-2002, 11:25 PM	#21
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	mountainman that does look nice, seeing the whole picture. your pickup is awesome man. now, is it my eyes, or is there a sheep in the center of your windshield????? __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

08-02-2002, 11:41 PM	#22
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	Benrs86 - LOL!! It is not a sheep, it is a scare crow that is sitting in the corner of the garage. My wife was using it as a halloween prop, outside last October. I forgot to answer one of your questions. The silver that I used to paint the speedo and fuel guage is the same platinum silver that the body shop used to paint my exterior. I used florescent orange for the needles. __________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

08-03-2002, 05:40 PM	#23
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Let the cutting begin! I started working on my dash today... Weee! Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

08-03-2002, 05:56 PM	#24
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	looks good xxl one more thing mountainman, did you have the bodyman paint them with your pickup, or did he give you a spray can of the color or what? i want some of my parts my body color for the interior and just thought i would ask since you did it. thanks, Ben __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

08-03-2002, 06:58 PM	#25
Chevyc10! Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Centerville Ga. USA Posts: 804	Love the glovebox idea... I can't believe I haven't thought of using a glove box door...Sweet. It's already smoothed and easy to modify. Looks nice. __________________ 68 SWB The Surgeon General doesn't say anything about smoking a Ford!!! Would rather be ran over repeatedly by a Chevy than drive a Ford!!! Paralyzed from the neck up and confined to a hat! Kathleen, Georgia USA

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