| Author |
Message |
Pi-Stix
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011
Posts: 10
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:32 pm Post subject: Dashboard input |
 |
|
I have been lurking forever and a day and figured it was time to pick your guys' brains. I bought an aluminum dash from the classifieds for my 69 T1 DD Baja. It fit like crap and there was about 3/8" gap on top at the center. Not to mention it was paper thin. I plan to use all three 914 gauges in the dash so...
I cut a new dash from 1/8" aluminum sheet. It is clean and looks great natural but on to my inquiry....
To leave it natural or to powder coat black? That is the question.... And go!
Here's the link to my project album
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10205421...d125971830
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o)
Last edited by Pi-Stix on Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
The Phil
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2011
Posts: 1371
Location: Tucson
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My dad and I spent 3 days working on templates and patterns for my car after I bought a bugpack dashboard that had a horrible fit. I love this dash...
try not to focus on the water ring next to the stereo, I left a GPS unit up there for a bit. Need to polish it off.
Oh, and that empty middle hole will get another red switch.
All VDO black cockpit gauges.
[/img]
_________________
"In case I don't see you, good afternoon , good evening, and goodnight."
My '66 Baja Build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456365
Free from the evils of facebook Dec 2012. No other Social Media. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pi-Stix
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011
Posts: 10
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I added a link to the album in the OP.
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
It's a play thing
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2009
Posts: 575
Location: Dayton, Nevada
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
take a scotchbrite pad and it will clean up great and leave a nice brushed aluminum look.
_________________
It's not the size of your shop, it's what comes out of it that counts.
I've been playing with my thing ever since I got it... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Phil
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2011
Posts: 1371
Location: Tucson
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It's a play thing wrote: |
| take a scotchbrite pad and it will clean up great and leave a nice brushed aluminum look. |
Ive thought of that, but it would be difficult to get a consistent brushed look. I do like both, but the polished is slightly easier to maintain.
There's a company out there called Vertex Industries.
At the bottom of this linked page is a small yellow bottle called major shine. That stuff is amazing! so effortless to polish with it by hand.
http://www.vertexind.com/index.htm
_________________
"In case I don't see you, good afternoon , good evening, and goodnight."
My '66 Baja Build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456365
Free from the evils of facebook Dec 2012. No other Social Media. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
It's a play thing
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2009
Posts: 575
Location: Dayton, Nevada
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ok, it worked for me...
_________________
It's not the size of your shop, it's what comes out of it that counts.
I've been playing with my thing ever since I got it... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
size51
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2014
Posts: 25
Location: COLORADO
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 9:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dash looks good but why not take the extra step and weld in sheet metal, cut new holes and when painted looks factory.
Just finished re working the dash on my 1970 Vert. Auto meter gauges and trying to keep the switches to just ignition and lights.
If you go to harbor freight they have polishing kits with the pad for the bench grinder and the compounds. Wet sand, polish repeat until perfect. You would have to remove the dash to do this.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VW Habit
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2010
Posts: 146
Location: San Clemente, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Black powder coat or black anodize it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ORANGECRUSHer
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2663
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dustymojave
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 5802
Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm still trying to figure out why the purchased dash panel was considered "paper thin".
It isn't a rock bash plate, or a battering ram is it? How thick do ya think a dash panel needs to be? Hell, I use 1/8" thick for rock bash plates (skidplates). A Cat D10 doesn't have an 1/8" thick dash panel, nor does an M1 tank.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pi-Stix
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011
Posts: 10
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you all for your input. I've been cutting, drilling and filing on this dash. I'll post some pics soon.
| dustymojave wrote: |
I'm still trying to figure out why the purchased dash panel was considered "paper thin".
It isn't a rock bash plate, or a battering ram is it? How thick do ya think a dash panel needs to be? Hell, I use 1/8" thick for rock bash plates (skidplates). A Cat D10 doesn't have an 1/8" thick dash panel, nor does an M1 tank. |
It just didn't seem very sturdy to me. I plan on installing all three 914 gauges. The original dash has been totally cut away to make room for the gauges and switches. I wanted something a little more stout as it will support the bottom portion of the dash. The steering column mount to be a bit more precise. 1/8" aluminum may be overkill but I know it wont flex that much now. 
_________________
(o\ ! /o) (o)=l=(o) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Will be doing my dash soon too, gonna go the welded sheet metal route. I think it will be much eaiser to do in the bug. I have already done my suburban and here are some pics of lots of gauges installed.
The panel I made before install
Wiring is the fun part, I made a connectorized harness so I can remove it as an assembly, think about your wiring and stuff before you get too far along.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ORANGECRUSHer
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2663
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
^That picture reminds me I need to clean up my rats nest I made last year.
Just a thought... I have a few things that run/charge off USB's and I've been thinking of adding a port to the dash area or inside the glove box that's hardwired right in. No more, "where'd i put that dang cigarette lighter adapter?" balogna. I'm gonna see what's out there for that...
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| They got tons of that stuff, I picked up one at Walmart that I mmounted in the trunk of my goldwing, had 2 USB ports and a 12v cigarette style plug. Plenty of options, good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ORANGECRUSHer
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2663
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BUGGUTZ
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Luzerne Mich
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ive been cleaning my shop all day, still cant see that much bench!
That cluster is sweet! Very nice work, I bet theres a side business in that for you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dustymojave
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 5802
Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Steering column DOES need support. I suppose you've cut away the column braces by the back of the stock speedo as well then.
Really offroad, one doesn't have time to look at an array of gauges like you have in your Subturban.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Very true, but if you drive more on the street. For off road you really need warning lights tied in so if something gets out of the norm you quickly see a red light. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Phil
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2011
Posts: 1371
Location: Tucson
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| warwgn wrote: |
| Very true, but if you drive more on the street. For off road you really need warning lights tied in so if something gets out of the norm you quickly see a red light. |
just a quick note: my mechanic has taken podium for state races a few times. In his single seat truggy he has a trailer brake light and a horn that went off when he had issues for oil.
A bit overkill for normal use, but it's an idea that can be tuned down, eh?
_________________
"In case I don't see you, good afternoon , good evening, and goodnight."
My '66 Baja Build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456365
Free from the evils of facebook Dec 2012. No other Social Media. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Turn all your gauges so the needles points at 12 o'clock when "normal" All you have to do is glance and not read.
_________________
Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
