Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I'll get some measurements and post them later today.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Some ideas are good and some just don't work out but you have to try. This one is still in work so I'm not sure it will work or not yet. First I need to say thanks to ChuckDriver who sent me the old dash out of his truck free of charge and to Kawbe for some guidance and advice. I liked Kawbe's dash I thought I wanted to tackle one in my truck too. I even located a 55 dash locally for a reasonable price. But after talking with Kawbe and looking at his post of the install I figured it was over my head so I went to plan B that was grafting in the left side of the factory dash to the right side. It sounds good in theory but in actually it is going to require a lot of work but I'm committed do making it work right so here is the first FAIL! :lol:

Ok, here I am with some parts taped to the dash trying to get a look at how this will work. I'm thinking COOL!! So far so good.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1111.jpg

Cuts and fit are good.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1114.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1115.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1117.jpg

Now the problem. I have it tacked in place and it's a bit low on the right side.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1116.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1118.jpg
I'll go look at it tomorrow to see how to even it up. BTW I'm having a great time even if it doesn't work.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I'm confused were to sit... Who's driving LOL
Top of the dash looks Cool

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Looking good. I'm keeping an eye on this as I was thinking of doing something kind of like it, but with a little twist.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I couldn't leave it alone tonight so I went back out after dinner and worked on getting it straight. I ended up cutting it apart on the right side and lifting it about 1/4". Tomorrow I'll make a piece to fill the edge and reshape the part behind the edge on both sides.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1119.jpg
I think it might work after all.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1120.jpg

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Dennis, I was just glad to help out a fellow truck guy! It's looking good so far, can't wait to see how it turns out!!

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

That looks pretty cool.
What do you plan on filling it with?
Kim

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Hey man, it will work. Looking better and better. What really would have been freaky is if you moved the glove box in the center. But I don't want to give you any ideas.lol It would give you a glove box that is functional. You could even mount your sound system in there, but I don't want to give you any ideas.lol

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

the trucks comin along good ill be watching to see what else u come up with.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Interesting, I'm following this too. I am confused, in the first photo in post 77 you say you are starting but the center and right side of dash are smooth. Rest of the photos show all the stock holes, etc.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

OrrieG, I had a smooth panel I bought from Brothers stuck on the dash to see how it was going to look.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

It was a good day today. I started about 7am trying to get this dash fit. I ended up making several cuts to help move the metal around managed to get is all welded up and looking kind of crappy. Anyway after grinding it didn't look too bad but i was still worried how it would look so I spread some bondo on and roughed it in. I think it will be ok so I went ahead with fitting the smooth dash panel in. I got it about 50% tacked in.

Here it is after welding. lots of low spots. I beat on it for about an hour to try and get the low spots up and I think its ok, not great but ok.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1121.jpg
After some bondo. Looks better.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1131.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1130.jpg
Fitting the smooth dash panel.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1124.jpg
Tacked in.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1125.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1126.jpg

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Wait till you see what's next. :lol:

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Did you cut out the dash before you tacked it in?

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I meant to say a glove box that is functional.lol
Its looking good so far and I'm waiting to see whats next. lol

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

yep. The smooth dash is butt welded to the old stuff.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I'm not 100% sure yet. My be a logo painted on the back side of a piece of lexan or a LCD display behind some lexan.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Turned out looking great. :metal:

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Looking good Dennis! Can't wait to see what you have in mind for the rest of it!

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I've been welding and grinding all day and finally have close enough to move on to the next step. I'm tired of grinding and I ran out of discs.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1137.jpg

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

That looks pretty sweet Dennis.
I know what you mean about grinding and welding. It can drag on me sometimes also.
Kim

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Dude, that looks sick! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Thanks guys. I can't wait to see the finished product either. It might take me a bit before I post any more progress shots because I'm not sure how I want to proceed with the next part. I have about 3 different ideas I'm considering so it'll take me the next couple of weeks to sort through them. Until then I'll watch you guys get something done. :metal:

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

Looking more and more like a solid brand new Cab.
Keep up the awesome work

Re: My 57 build (lots of pictures)
 

I've been looking down at the dash and forgot about the rust I needed to fix above the windshield. So today I cut it out and guess what I found. I couldn't figure how it rusted up there and so high until I opened it up. Mouse hotel. Burning mouse nest STINKS. I'm glad it's not as bad or as fresh as Diesel's. :lol: I welded up 3 small spots that poked through on the outside and will replace the 2 strips across the inside.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1152.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...y/IMG_1151.jpg