Glove Box - can this be installed with the dash in place (shallow glove box)?

[Jester]

My roadster is complete and I was wondering if it is possible to seamlessly install a glove box (shallow) with the dash in place (I have the standard FFR padded dash and I do not want to compromise the appearance with a poor glove box install). I like the look of the glove box in Dave Smith's roadster and was wondering if anyone knows who makes it and if they have a shallow version (I have the heater/defroster installed so a normal depth glove box won't work for me). I should have installed the glove box before final body install but I did not think I needed one but after a few thousand miles this would be a nice addition.

If the glove box can not be installed well without removing the dash I might decide to build a new dash with a different gauge layout and custom console for the stereo/amp etc.

I have posted a picture of the glove box below. 32556

Has anyone done this with the dash installed? - Thanks for any constructive advice on this.

[jakester888]

Same question here...

[michael everson]

That box installs from the padded side, so yes it could probably be done

Mike

[skullandbones]

Hey Jester,

You have two operations going on if you can't find that shallow glove box box. I've seen a configuration of the shallow version in a pic somewhere. It didn't look very useful. Personally, I think it would be like saying I've got a glove box just to be able to say so. However, If you want to maximize the space you can get the regular box and modify it. Thus the reference to "two operations". The neat thing about doing it this way is you could be doing the work on the inner box without having your roadster down in the garage. If you are able to install the face first, you could continue driving it while taking your time on the inner box project. I've gotten rather sensitive about downtime on my roadster so I design my after projects based on how much downtime factor.

I understand your concern about botching up the dash aluminum and padding while installing the glove box. There should be very precise instructions for that. I would cut the template out (remove vinyl and rubber as much as possible). Cover the perimeter with a low tack duct tape and drill about a hundred holes in the perimeter. Then connect the dots with a shortened fine tooth bladed jig saw very carefully connect the dots. It will be a little tedious but it's important as that will always be seen first. Then clean up the edges with a fine rat tail file. I am sure I saw the modification of the glove box compartment or "from scratch" project on FFcars. It would require some fiberglass molding. How much room do you have behind the dash? Does the heater and other components line up directly with the proposed hole for the glove box? It may have been Gumball that did that but a search should find it. I will add it if I can find that thread. Good luck, WEK.

[Jester]

Thx Mike & WEK,

I searched and the only shallow glove box I can find is from Finish Line. I think the one in Dave Smith's roadster is from Breeze and they only supply a deep glove box (heater is directly behind the glove box area thus the need for a shallow version). I like the look of the Breeze glove box over the FL glove box however I think modifying the Breeze glove box would not be easy as it looks like one molded piece (would need to make a new fiberglass box by using a modified version of the original as a template - I might just be able to do this - winter project though).

On the FFcars forum it has been recommended to remove the dash to install the Finish Line glove box (I don't think it can be installed with the dash in) - not what I was looking for.

Need to do more research and give this more thought.

Thx

[michael everson]

It's really no big deal to remove the dash. Unless of course you have mechanical gauges or it's all hard wired in.
Mike

[edwardb]

Thx Mike & WEK,

I searched and the only shallow glove box I can find is from Finish Line. I think the one in Dave Smith's roadster is from Breeze and they only supply a deep glove box (heater is directly behind the glove box area thus the need for a shallow version). I like the look of the Breeze glove box over the FL glove box however I think modifying the Breeze glove box would not be easy as it looks like one molded piece (would need to make a new fiberglass box by using a modified version of the original as a template - I might just be able to do this - winter project though).

On the FFcars forum it has been recommended to remove the dash to install the Finish Line glove box (I don't think it can be installed with the dash in) - not what I was looking for.

Need to do more research and give this more thought.

Thx

Didn't recall seeing a glovebox on Mark's website on Breeze, and just looked again. Don't see one. Short of making one yourself, the commonly used ones are the front mounted ones from **********, and the rear mounted one from Alex's Custom. I've used both. The front mounted one is easy to install and functional. Probably could be installed on an existing dash. But as already pointed out, likely would interfere with a heater. I like Alex's rear mount a lot more, and the shallow one plays nice with a heater. But it's intended that you use the provided vinyl for the entire dash as well. If it's just storage you need, how about the cubby you can install between the seats going back into the trunk area. Breeze does sell that one. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=861

[DaleG]

Alex: http://acroadsterinteriors.com/Gloveboxes.htm comes with matching vinyl for the dash. They are nicel pieces. So, you where thinking of redoing your dash; perfect excuse. I would call Alex directly and see how long delivery would be, though.

[Jester]

Didn't recall seeing a glovebox on Mark's website on Breeze, and just looked again. Don't see one. Short of making one yourself, the commonly used ones are the front mounted ones from **********, and the rear mounted one from Alex's Custom. I've used both. The front mounted one is easy to install and functional. Probably could be installed on an existing dash. But as already pointed out, likely would interfere with a heater. I like Alex's rear mount a lot more, and the shallow one plays nice with a heater. But it's intended that you use the provided vinyl for the entire dash as well. If it's just storage you need, how about the cubby you can install between the sets going back into the trunk area. Breeze does sell that one. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=861


Thx Edwardb,

You are correct and I stand corrected - the one in Dave Smith's car looks like a Finish Line glove box and Alex's is the one that comes with a shallow version (needs dash to be removed). I will edit my above post accordingly.

Thx

[68GT500MAN]

The glove box I installed required the attaching fasteners to be installed from the back side of the dash, the top ones would be very hard to reach without removing the dash.
Doug