So now Whatta you think of my dash **REVISED**?
 

So I took some opinions and thought the dash would look much cleaner with the ignition,heater controls and lighter removed from under the new cluster SOOOO I welded it all up. (see new pics) I moved the Ignition switch to the glove box door covering the factory cluster opening and drilled for the headlamp and wiper switches in the lower left corner. I still need to remove and fill the latch... I am in the middle of figuring out the heater controls and should turn out cool if I can pull my idea off.. I wish I would have known I was going to smooth the entire center from the start, I would have cut all the old stuff out and put 1 piece in! :crazy: Thanks for all your feedback..



I am currently building a 67 shop truck... I want to go with an old school custom look.. So far I know it will be flat gold with a gloss black roof with some flake in it.. I am going to run black steelies with dog dishes. I will be running a big block with an auto, looking for a good 700r4 (got lots of old school engine candy to complete the look:metal:) . I already have the airride kit and we are getting ready to start on the chassis.. I wanted a custom dash with an old school flair so I dreamed this up and started cutting and welding... I will be putting a glove box door over the stock cluster location and notching it for the column.. I have a 56 chevy 210 steering wheel I am going to use to carry on the "V" look.... I plan on getting both glove box doors striped with some von dutch style pinstriping... What do you think ???

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

that...is some awesome fab work!

might be a pain to see the speedo...?

but. even if it is. that is an absolute *****in' job of grafting. wow. :D

-Sam.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

That's pretty neat, I have seen it done before but hey that is some good fab work. Thansk for the pics.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

thats awsome. Is the cluster out of a 56? kinda somewhat looks similar to a 55 chevy. I know its not, but..
Justin

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

it fits perfectly!

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

I like it.Makes me wanna see heater controls from a `50s car.I`m taking a simular approach with my`67 GMC project.Not sure about the dash,yet.I am thinking glovebox door for cluster using vintage gauges in a different layout.Not going past the mid-60s with any styling.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

My opinion is, it's different, but that it would be awkward driving and looking to the right. Besides, I think it would be better suited installed in the same area as the original dash. To me, it just doesn't look right with the heater controls right below. I'm not bashing your work, this is just my thoughts, as you asked.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

The cluster is out of a 57 chevy truck.. As far as seeing the speedo its not bad.. Its big and no different than glancing at the radio station but MUCH bigger than a radio display... Plus who needs a speedo as long as the shift light is not on your ok!! :metal: I am trying to figure out a new set of heater controls, need to make a trip to the bone yard... I originally wanted to put something in the stock location but there is not much space due to where the column lives... I already did the autometer thing in my 68 and wanted to do something different...

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Great idea and well executed

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

I see your point on the column being in the way. It might look pretty cool with a different type heater control. I thought I saw where someone put in a 1959 Chevy Impala dash on these trucks. Maybe they have a different heater setup that you could get an idea from.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Are you going to use a steering colume with a key in it ? I thnik it would look way better if you got rid of the heater controls and the lighter too. its to busy around the speedo and takes a way from the work you did. but it does look good.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Looks cool, but...

My wife's Saturn ION had the speedo in the center of the dash. It was a freekin PITA to see it. It was supposed to be a safety feature, but I fealt like I always had to search for the speedo then see how fast I was going causing me to have my eyes off the road longer.

Of course...I'm guessing this is going to be a cruiser, not a DD so that wont matter :D

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

I have a stock tilt column I am using but I might move the ignition switch or fill around it and move it forward so there is only a small hole to put the stem of the key in.. .. I am going to put the headlamp switch and wiper switch under the dash.. I thought about putting the heater controls in the glove box since I rarely even use them in my 68... You know looks over functionality!! Lol!!

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

55-59 chevy truck. They are a cool looking cluster.

Out of curiosity, would that cluster have fit in the stock location cut into a glovebox door? Or was the column in the way... I have a 58 cluster.... :D

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

No it would not fit above the column unless you cut in to the dash board... If I was going to go that far I would have used a 57 chevy car or 59/60 impala dash... this one was easy to pull off!

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

why in the center of the dash, though? seems a little coutner-intuitive as far as functionality goes.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

I think it is a great look. If I remember right the Old and New Mini's have the speedo in the middle of the dash. I don't think it will be too hard to look a little to the right to see the speed. Are you going to have heat/AC controls? If so, where? Are you leaving the original cluster area smooth like in the picture or are you going to do something in that area. Anyways, great look. You had a vision and went with it. That is why I love this site. Everyone here is willing to give out their ideas and help the less experienced people to make their visions possible.:metal::metal:

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

At this stage of the game I am leaving it smooth... I looked at putting the airride controls and some other stuff there but it just doesnt look right... I am going to put the radio and other stuff in the center console..

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Cool to see something very custom and very nice work grafting it in!

I'm a little hinky on glove box where the cluster is today - I'd think it'd be tough to get into and the notch would look kinda funny when it was closed. Do you have a sketch of how this is all going to come together?

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

no sketch... only in my head... THe glove box door is only used as a filler, not functional, welding the latch hole smooth... I am probably going to get some aluminum stock and make some polished trim accents

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

:metal::metal:That is sharp! :metal::metal:
Jeep had their speedo in the middle for years. Old VW's did, Lots of Model A and T customs do. I think you did a great job.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

I was on a web site not long ago that had a LCD TV that was set up to be all your gages. At the time I tought what would you do with that but now after seeing yours Im thinking you could put it in a glove box door and have only it plus you could watch the news while your driving.

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Perfect location? Who gives a crap! Its KEWL! Thats all that matters. Please keep us updated on your shop truck!

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

Nice mod! :D

Re: Whatta you think of my dash?
 

The speedo in the center just takes a change in old habits.Like said,you just glance at it.It`s not like reaching over and tuning a radio with tiny numbers on it.Many high performance world-class sports cars place the speedo in the center.You don`t have to look through the steering wheel.
I`m sure another heater control can be adapted somewhere.