V8_DatZun Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 It's been forever since i posted. I've got about 8-9 hours worth of actual work in what i've got so far. The biggest problem is trying to figure out how to keep everything symmetrical, and in line starting from nothing but THIS. Here is whats left of the original dash installed in the car. Wise man say never use hammer near glass.... unfortunately I didn't hear wise man until AFTER the fact... A few pics of the basic frame installed in the car... And Here is what i got done today... The center part of the dashboard cut out, but not completed. I also framed up portion for double din DVD player/screen, but do not have pics of this yet. Also, this center piece is not installed yet, as i did not center it up or measure everything yet. I plan on working on it a few hours tomorrow before work. Sad thing is when you've only got a few hours to work on it, by the time you get tools out and get started on it good its time to clean up. I'll post progress as it comes along. Any questions feel free to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbg19 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 WOW thats probably gonna look really good.very smooth lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judas_light Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Any particular reason why you have the center section sit out that far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 I was trying to figure out what you meant by stick out so far, but i see how the pic makes it look that way. See how far the sides stick out that are by the doors? It is going to stick out that same distance all the way up to the center piece. That center piece is only about 2 inches bigger than the sides of the dash are. This is so that it will stand out from the rest of the dash. I am going to mount DVD, and oil, temp, and volt gauges at the top of this center piece. I've got a little more work done to it today, and ill post some pics up for you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrariferg Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I like where this is going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streeteg Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Definately a cool project---When I get tired of my Dash and find any type of time I will be undertaking a proiject very similar to this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Worked on it a few hours today. Here are some new shots. Dash with center piece installed, and DVD mounting installed. See the piece beside the center that is angled the same as the center? That is pretty much even with the side of the dash. All of this will be rounded, then from that piece it will come out about 2" or so to the center piece at an angle. Hard to explain, but when i stretch the fabric you'll see. (forgot to mention that piece is just laying there temp braced so you can see what i was trying to explain.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleaf Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Looks good but how much is all that going to weigh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Most of it is just temp bracing that will be cut out once the dash is completed. The center section will almost all stay however. This doesnt weigh an awful lot. All of the 2x2"s running across the dash will be removed, and any other wood that can be cut out. Also, I have a 383 stroker... LoL not too worried about it slowing the car down even if it does weigh a few pounds more than stock (keep in mind the stock had a good bit of metal bracing, etc that weighs alot also) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 chicken wire fencing, floral high density foam, an electric kitchen knife, and a hand sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 If you mean how im going to get the shape, actually im probably going to use stretchy fabric. Something thicker than pantyhose, that will stretch to the contours. Then brush the resin into it, let it harden, then glass away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Looks great. I don't know if you've looked that the window cranks in relation to the dash but you might want to check. When I finished my dash and installed it I was shocked to see my window crank only misses the dash by only 1/4". I can still use it but its close. I extended that section of the dash to mount my fuse panel in the driver's side dash end. BTW I like your idea of fabricating this using wood as a template. I highly modified the stock dash and then covered it with fiberglass. It ended up weighing a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Won't you be banging your knuckles on that center console whilst shifting? Or are you rocking automatic style? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 I've got electric windows good info for anyone reading this that may want to do something like this though. And yes, im rolling automatic. Although my shifter will be set back about 2-3 inches from the original hole. If i decide to go manual one day, i still shouldn't have any problems. I just havent welded up that hole for the original shifter yet (thanks for reminding me). I'll be working on the dash most of the day tomorrow, and ill post more pics then. Thanks for the comments, and for the heads up on problems i may encounter. anything else just shoot it my way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 (edited) I worked on the dash 2 or 3 hours today. Not as long as i had hoped to get. I did however get the basic setup for the gauges, and get the side pieces mounted where i wanted them on the center piece. I'll be doing a little more work tomorrow, and I'll post the pics then. I'm ready to get this beast wrapped and glassed... Here are the pics. Edited June 27, 2009 by V8_DatZun Duplicate picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbojohnny Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 are those tubes going to work for mounting your gauges? they seem a little long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8_DatZun Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 They are a little long... I cut them this way so i wouldnt have to fab up more mounting out of wood though. Also it wont hurt them being long like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icapture Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 you sir are attempting something I would probably never try. Then again, I have no experience fabing up custom body panels. Cant wait to see the shaping process. any concept drawings?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyAirborne Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 i like the super glue im watching this thread closely, I want to see the final outcome!!! looks very promising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 fast z Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Fire hazard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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