Dashboard riveting

[Pedders]

This seems a bit of a lame post following CJulian's awesome thread, but....

The one step of the build I am struggling to find any reference to is the riveting of the lower edge of the dash to the chassis tube that it hooks around.

I'm not looking forward to this, as it would appear that I will need to force the dash a fair way to get it to fit, and am worried about cracking it, particularly given the hole I have cut for the stalks and Dash 2 unit.

Also, I can see lots of pics of people trimming the dash with the centre section out of the car, which makes me wonder whether people are not doing this or whether I am overthinking it and should just get on with it...

Any practical experience/advice would be much appreciated.

[pilbeam_mp62]

Steve_D will be along soon to confirm, but I did not rivet this part - there is no need. Getting the centre section on was one of the worst parts of the build, as it seems like you really have to force it to get that curved part of the dash to clip under the chassis tube.

[GTRMikie]

No riveting needed, just get on with it!

[GTRMikie]

No riveting needed, just get on with it!

[ROWDYRENAULT]

The guys are correct, just get on with it. I had to take my center section on and off with the help of my lovely wife. That was the only part that she helped me with that she complained about. She hated it for the reasons that you have seen. I think she was convinced that you should be able to build the car and take it on and off only once. Maybe others have but not me. Lee

[Abbosevolution]

On - off - on - off - decided it's on permanently this weekend

[Pedders]

Thanks for the responses all. The idea of not riveting certainly appeals, but having looked along the lower edge of the dashboard, I can see that the vertical (ish) face of the dash kicks out slightly around the steering wheel area, and I think the only cure for this is force and then rivet.

I also understand that forcing the lower edge of the dash onto the chassis tube and then riveting gives the dash a slightly convex shape, which is apparently intended - albeit I could quite happily live with the flat dash if it were not for the aforementioned kick!

Like Abbo, I will make the final decision at the weekend, albeit my centre section is already riveted in at the front, which I am hoping I won't regret....

[mt308]

My dash is rivetted as you suggest - only 3-4 rivets from memory. Keeps it in place and stops it creaking.

Do it at the end though - once you know its not coming off again...

[Steve_D]

Sorry, late on parade.
No rivets the dash just clips over the tube.

Steve

[UltimaCH]

LIke with the body prefit, the dash probably needs some extra trimming in the GRP area. I have noticed that the alloy sheet holding the A/C-Heater unit which is rivetted to the cockpit cross tube may cause some difficulties. A light cut out in the GRP may help.