gjc5500 Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I plan on making a sheetmetal racing dash this summer for my 240. The problem is that i have to be out with the old and in with the new in a weekend. I was wondering if anyone could give me the dimensions of their metal dash or even the stock dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Hmm... It is REALLY hard to do a dash from measurements. I pulled my dash out and spent about 6 hours figuring out how to mount my dash. Then I made a template out of cardboard and cut out the piece of aluminum. This was the half dash that was in the the HybridZ Pinks "race car". This is how I made the mounting tabs: Mounted by three tabs on top and then sandwiched above the steering column and it's mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjc5500 Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 I know that its hard. i just want the mesurements so i can get a rough layout of the dash. its gonna hang above the steering colume. also, does a early 280dash fit a 240? prolly not but worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinOlson Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I'm going to be working on a similar project myself. I was going to have a local sheet metal shop bend up a dash for me. I'll post a solid works file for you that you could have a dash made from. This will give you the dimensions necessary to make your own dash. A good option if you want to get a aluminum dash to cut down would be to buy this prebent aluminum dash from JEGS: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_12942_-1 Regards, Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjc5500 Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Yea im planing on having the metal bent by my HS welding teacher and having my neighbor weld the end caps on it. i plan on getting MSD lazer gauges for it. tach, speedo,temp, oilpress/temp, ect... i also plan on using a nascar style ignition switch. just run the power to it through a relay and run that off my alarm just for safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted June 20, 2007 Administrators Share Posted June 20, 2007 My race car used to have a 1/3 style lightweight dash, I removed that lightweight version and installed a heavier versions using the frame/Skelton from a 240 dash, wrapped in non ferrous sheet metal painted with wrinkle paint, notched for the rollcage and tach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Here is one good dimension: The distance from the top of the steering column (in front of where it bolts to the bracket by 1.5") to the top level of the dash is 5.5" That is with the face of the dash at a 90 degree angle to the steering column for better visibility than the pinks dash. I made a full width version for my Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinOlson Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Here's that sheetmetal dash I was working on in solid works. I need to go measure my car tomorrow and get solid dimensions for the model. Once I have some good dimensions to work from I'll post the cad file for whoever wants it. I'm going to work on a sheet metal center piece to add. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I just happen to have my 280Z dash torn down to bare metal. Its 48 1/2" long 13"ish from back to front at the deepest part and around 10" top to bottom. That's just the sheet metal, no pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Just find another dash someone doesnt need,doesnt have to be in good shape just to get dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjc5500 Posted June 21, 2007 Author Share Posted June 21, 2007 THose dashes are hard to come by here. thats y i wanted to know if a 280 would fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rival5 Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 JustinOlsen - It would be great if you posted the CAD file when you're done. I would definitely be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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