Removable dashboard
Discussion
While I have my car stripped down for repainting etc this winter I am wondering about re-modeling the dashboard. I am thinking about something along the lines of a Stack display with most/all gauges done away with to go along with the Ford stalks. This would leave a very bare dashboard which is fine by me.
What I was wondering though is could the dashboard be made removable. I will need to do a fair bit of gf work to re-model the dash anyway.
My thinking is leave existing gf around outside approx 3" then bond a lip underneath with captive nuts bonded in and then fabricate a new centre section which would be bolted into place with countersunk allen bolts. All would be trimmed in leather.
All wires to the removable section with plug joints. Air vents on the outer 3".
This would make access to the under dash area a little easier too.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Paul
What I was wondering though is could the dashboard be made removable. I will need to do a fair bit of gf work to re-model the dash anyway.
My thinking is leave existing gf around outside approx 3" then bond a lip underneath with captive nuts bonded in and then fabricate a new centre section which would be bolted into place with countersunk allen bolts. All would be trimmed in leather.
All wires to the removable section with plug joints. Air vents on the outer 3".
This would make access to the under dash area a little easier too.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Paul
My concern would be that the dash is adding a structural element to the body tub and the windscreen aperture in particular. Perhaps you could leave a strip of the original dash top running across the car a few inches forward of the existing top front edge.
Steve
Steve
Edited by Steve_D on Wednesday 8th December 21:47
Steve_D said:
My concern would be that the dash is adding a structural element to the body tub and the windscreen aperture in particular. Perhaps you could leave a strip of the original dash top running across the car a few inches forward of the existing top front edge.
Steve
This is the sort of thinking I was hoping for.Steve
Edited by Steve_D on Wednesday 8th December 21:47
There is certainly plenty of scope to raise the new section of dash by a few mm to allow for this without affecting visibility.
Squeaks were something I hadn't considered. Good point. I will need to ensure there are loads of fixings and that I use plenty of gf in the construction with a few angles/curves to add strength/rigidity if I go down this route.
Has anybody created a custom dash before?
Paul
Mine's removable.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I made a recess around the dash in MDF/fibreglass.
There's a 2mm thick aluminium plate behind the Carbon fibre.
That plate has countersunk holes.
I expoxied screws into the holes (facing into the dash)
Then I stuck the CF over the face.
Those screws go into holes in the recess in the MDF and there's nuts on the rear.
I'm out of the office today, I'll sketch it up and repost tomorrow.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I made a recess around the dash in MDF/fibreglass.
There's a 2mm thick aluminium plate behind the Carbon fibre.
That plate has countersunk holes.
I expoxied screws into the holes (facing into the dash)
Then I stuck the CF over the face.
Those screws go into holes in the recess in the MDF and there's nuts on the rear.
I'm out of the office today, I'll sketch it up and repost tomorrow.
crafty said:
Mine's removable.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I made a recess around the dash in MDF/fibreglass.
There's a 2mm thick aluminium plate behind the Carbon fibre.
That plate has countersunk holes.
I expoxied screws into the holes (facing into the dash)
Then I stuck the CF over the face.
Those screws go into holes in the recess in the MDF and there's nuts on the rear.
I'm out of the office today, I'll sketch it up and repost tomorrow.
Inside that link:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I made a recess around the dash in MDF/fibreglass.
There's a 2mm thick aluminium plate behind the Carbon fibre.
That plate has countersunk holes.
I expoxied screws into the holes (facing into the dash)
Then I stuck the CF over the face.
Those screws go into holes in the recess in the MDF and there's nuts on the rear.
I'm out of the office today, I'll sketch it up and repost tomorrow.
GTRene said:
Edited by 02PRUV on Thursday 9th December 07:57
Edited by 02PRUV on Thursday 9th December 07:58
Well, either last thing tonight, or first thing in the morning, i collect my GTR from having the 3rd yes 3rd new dash install completed. The bloody thing hasnt been on the road yet!!!!
My new dash due to having glass fitted is now a 3 piece, but the previous 2 installs were a one piece. However we removed the dash entirely and fitted our own complete one piece, maintaining all of the sizing of the original.
This is one of those subjects that if you buy the car exactly for what it were intended then dont bother. The passionate purists on the forum are right to a degree, its functional, it wont squeak and its been fine for some time so dont mess.
Others will say they want a modern look with more functionality etc.
Everyone on here knows i have battled with this issue from the start i wanted to modernise in every area possible, wheels, body, power steering, power brakes, power clutch, the list is endless. Unlike my pockets it would appear. In my quest for veyron tech in my GTR if the money wasnt the issue finding the talent to complete it was.
So a word of warning to probably the younger more inexpereienced builders, dont mess!! if it aint broke dont fix it. Im delighted with my end result - but id NEVER NEVER do it again.
I can hear the "told you so's" already.
My new dash due to having glass fitted is now a 3 piece, but the previous 2 installs were a one piece. However we removed the dash entirely and fitted our own complete one piece, maintaining all of the sizing of the original.
This is one of those subjects that if you buy the car exactly for what it were intended then dont bother. The passionate purists on the forum are right to a degree, its functional, it wont squeak and its been fine for some time so dont mess.
Others will say they want a modern look with more functionality etc.
Everyone on here knows i have battled with this issue from the start i wanted to modernise in every area possible, wheels, body, power steering, power brakes, power clutch, the list is endless. Unlike my pockets it would appear. In my quest for veyron tech in my GTR if the money wasnt the issue finding the talent to complete it was.
So a word of warning to probably the younger more inexpereienced builders, dont mess!! if it aint broke dont fix it. Im delighted with my end result - but id NEVER NEVER do it again.
I can hear the "told you so's" already.
Ok
Dash - Number 1 - Complete S**t wasnt happy cost a fortune!!!!
Dash - Number 2 - Was Happy, but none IVA compliant, and fabric was pulling away after being finished, then glass was installed, so had to be ripped out and start from scratch.
Dash - Number 3 - Pictures tomorrow im afraid.
Dash - Number 1 - Complete S**t wasnt happy cost a fortune!!!!
Dash - Number 2 - Was Happy, but none IVA compliant, and fabric was pulling away after being finished, then glass was installed, so had to be ripped out and start from scratch.
Dash - Number 3 - Pictures tomorrow im afraid.
Edited by Mjpmark on Thursday 9th December 12:52
I'm making a removable top for my dashboard, with the vertical part that has the dials, switches, and vents fixed. That way (I hope) I'll be able to work on the electrics with the help of a mirror outide the car.
The top is curved and will have the demisters in it.
The vertical part is set forward (in driving direction) a few inches compared to the original. There's enough space, I think.
I may sound unsure of myself because I am (
) and this is the third iteration of the new dash, so I may change it again.
I'll send a picture of the (unfinished) prototype when I next go to the workshop.
Dan
The top is curved and will have the demisters in it.
The vertical part is set forward (in driving direction) a few inches compared to the original. There's enough space, I think.
I may sound unsure of myself because I am (
) and this is the third iteration of the new dash, so I may change it again.I'll send a picture of the (unfinished) prototype when I next go to the workshop.
Dan
cant you just lay a new dash over the old one?
Then start with a plain canvas as if new?
Ive looking at sheeting on top, sits between angle of the glass and old dash so wont move, vents hold it in place and cover all the old holes and then new face for the dials.?I will cover it again due to sun glare!!
Dom
Then start with a plain canvas as if new?
Ive looking at sheeting on top, sits between angle of the glass and old dash so wont move, vents hold it in place and cover all the old holes and then new face for the dials.?I will cover it again due to sun glare!!
Dom
Edited by V8Dom on Friday 10th December 20:29
First one was a company called JD Trimming in West Midlands, Yes that was their finished article - look closely and you can see all manner of fault.
I tried legal - failed miserably.
So swallowed the cost and moved on. The second was due to angles and radius, so same company re doing the dash - only cost me a small amoutn extra, bad news is they take so long its gone beyond a joke. But a trailer is going for it at 11 am tomorrow whether its ready or not.
i believe the new one will have two seperate pieces mounted with a central piece holding the buttons, the only change is that i have ditched my stalks for a steering wheel mounted system.
Third time lucky i hope. Ill post pics in the morning.
I tried legal - failed miserably.
So swallowed the cost and moved on. The second was due to angles and radius, so same company re doing the dash - only cost me a small amoutn extra, bad news is they take so long its gone beyond a joke. But a trailer is going for it at 11 am tomorrow whether its ready or not.
i believe the new one will have two seperate pieces mounted with a central piece holding the buttons, the only change is that i have ditched my stalks for a steering wheel mounted system.
Third time lucky i hope. Ill post pics in the morning.
Two Reasons,
1. They were playing up, or so i was told. Ill get them back tomorrow, i think its a case i had annoyed the auto electrician so much he just wants rid of me.
2. They meant limited access, restricted view of my aim dash, and a bloody huge hazard warning button right in front of my speedo. So steering wheel mounted is being done.
I did like them, gave it a very nice production car feel. But also looking forward to the push buttons etc. Its all trial and error so im open minded.
1. They were playing up, or so i was told. Ill get them back tomorrow, i think its a case i had annoyed the auto electrician so much he just wants rid of me.
2. They meant limited access, restricted view of my aim dash, and a bloody huge hazard warning button right in front of my speedo. So steering wheel mounted is being done.
I did like them, gave it a very nice production car feel. But also looking forward to the push buttons etc. Its all trial and error so im open minded.
I am, third time is lucky. However few bits not completed but will be by next wednesday.
Pictures will be posted this afternoon. There is my VI Monitor still to be fitted which will sit in he curved section on the passenger side. Also a Pogo alert which will be connected to the cowling on the gear shifter just in front angled up towards the driver.
I have to say now that the indicator stalks have been removed the view of my instrument panel is fantastic.
Give me a couple of hours and ill post them up.
Pictures will be posted this afternoon. There is my VI Monitor still to be fitted which will sit in he curved section on the passenger side. Also a Pogo alert which will be connected to the cowling on the gear shifter just in front angled up towards the driver.
I have to say now that the indicator stalks have been removed the view of my instrument panel is fantastic.
Give me a couple of hours and ill post them up.
Sorry for the lack of replies guys. Some thieving bas*ards ripped our village phone lines out of the ground for the second time in a month on Thursday evening. I have just got back on line.
MJP
Thanks for the pictures.
I am not surprised that you were not happy with your first dash. It looked like it was done by a junior school craft class. That company needs to go out of business - fast.
Has your car passed SVA as I am not sure steering wheel buttons will pass SVA.
I will keep thinking about what I want to achieve until I am ready to start.
Paul
MJP
Thanks for the pictures.
I am not surprised that you were not happy with your first dash. It looked like it was done by a junior school craft class. That company needs to go out of business - fast.
Has your car passed SVA as I am not sure steering wheel buttons will pass SVA.
I will keep thinking about what I want to achieve until I am ready to start.
Paul
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff