Fabricating dash, looking for input

Hoot · 04-05-2009, 12:54:55 AM

Going to start building/fabricating my dash tomorrow. Any ideas or suggestions very welcome. Open to most anything.

Things I want so far.
1. 6 gauge set
2. switch panel (fan, heater, water pump, maybe more)
3. headlight switch... could be on switch panel. doesnt need to be stock type.
4. Stereo in reach.
5. No stock heater or ac controls.
6. not sure want glove box or not.
7. Maybe a hell handle, but not a stock type. More like Steel bar or somthing

8. oh yeah, stock steering column (non tilt)

Open to wood, fiberglass, metal. Havent decided on shape or anything yet. Want somthing different yet functional too.

doc221978 · 04-05-2009, 06:52:46 PM

Ebay has some nice aluminum gauge panels..... Everything you mentioned is personal preferance though, unless you need help.

For the gauges I prefer VDO or Autometer. I also will never do away with my a/c, but I live in Georgia.

Almost forgot, you will need an adapter or a new cable for the speedo. Good luck.

no-nitro · 04-06-2009, 09:37:58 AM

I had mine custom made, i kinda went off the 81 style so i could have a good place for the gauges. Its all fabbed out sheet metal. In the one pic had a mess to clean, my oil press gauge was leaking lol. If you have any questions let me know...

Earlsfat · 04-06-2009, 01:17:03 PM

^ I like that... pretty darned slick.

Gonna try to make mine out of fiberglass, same issues as OP, but no radio... can't hear it anyway, lol.

And the Autometer speedo's make me mad... Why doesn't A/M sell the damned cables??????? Dorks.

doc221978 · 04-08-2009, 09:04:22 PM

I got a cable from classic 5 speed to fit my speedo, but I have a TKO. Scott still may have what you need for a stock trans if you don't have it yet.

This weekend I am going to try using fiberglass too for a gauge panel..... I just hope it's not to bad to work with. I have never tried, but have read how to.

Earlsfat · 04-08-2009, 09:34:37 PM

I've been lurking forr a while on a couple fg forums... and am in the process of getting a donor hood ready so I can make a mold and make my own fg hoods (tired of seeing cowl hoods... wanna make a few until I find a design I like.).

Spot_remover · 04-08-2009, 10:29:44 PM

I plan to have mine made from aluminum sheet metal. I wont have heat or air to contend with though, just defrost and those vents are built in.

KylePBZ · 04-10-2009, 11:59:29 AM

Get a fiberglass one from VFN. Looks close to stock. http://vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm They've got the both styles for whatever year you have.

Earlsfat · 04-10-2009, 01:06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KylePBZ

Get a fiberglass one from VFN. Looks close to stock. http://vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm They've got the both styles for whatever year you have.

Those are pretty nice and the price ain't too bad either.

Hoot · 04-10-2009, 09:05:13 PM

they got both camaro dash but not a firebird looking one. But I really want to make mine. Dont want it to look stock at all. I have been fabricating most everything Im replacing so far. Got some ideas just been sidetracked with weather and couple other little projects.

Maybe I can get started laying it out this weekend. Easter and inlaws coming in so will see what I get too.

Im thinking driver semi wrap around and not sure how to shape pass side yet. Im going to run a Mojave heater so just need defroster vents. Just need to get the column, wheel, kick panels back in after I painted them to get some spacing.

CamaroMan79 · 04-10-2009, 11:46:08 PM

Earlsfat · 04-11-2009, 12:17:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoot

But I really want to make mine. Dont want it to look stock at all.... Im thinking driver semi wrap around and not sure how to shape pass side yet. Im going to run a Mojave heater so just need defroster vents. Just need to get the column, wheel, kick panels back in after I painted them to get some spacing.

I've always thought the designers dropped the ball when they did the interior. They got it half fancy alike a 50's car and half futuristic with the slopey dash, etc....

I have to see what there is to work with, but I want to make a dash, door panels and console that follow the body lines a little better. I don't think I'm gonna mess with the kick panels, and I might just wind up using the sail panels and side panels in the rear, but right now I just don't know. I have some sketches of the roof and doors I want to do... nothing overly complicated, but just more in tune with the body lines. As far as the dash, I'm kinda liking the symmetrical idea... passenger side mirrors drivers side, but I also think it's dumb to just have a bunch of open real estate there. Was thinking it'd be cool to put some sort of really huge hard drive for all my music up under the dash, but I'm no technology whiz. MP3.Com has a whole bunch of stuff on the carputer stuff, but I my eyes just glaze over, lol.

EDIT - I do know that I want to make a 2 part dash... so that if there's ever a problem with a heater core etc, I won't have to mess with much. The top would just be like a cover with maybe 4 - 5 screws holding it to the bottom.

I'm going to use my stock column for now (new one is not in the budget), going to use stock heater setup, but moving controls to the console, not sure about the rest yet.

li0nhart123 · 04-11-2009, 01:39:03 PM

wow... i didn't even know these were available...

GetMore · 04-11-2009, 05:51:53 PM

I'll be watching this one, 'cause I wanted to do something similar and may just copy you.

Earlsfat · 04-11-2009, 06:06:23 PM

Bring you camaro and some beer... you ain't that far... I've got the space and a pool table for waiting for the resin to set, lol.