Got a tape measure handy?

[Al_C]

I'm hoping someone has their car and a tape measure handy and might take a measurement or two for me.

You'll notice in the picture below, there are no switch holes. That, and the steering shaft hole, are the next items in my continuing dashboard saga. I've been thinking over the past few days about moving the location of the headlight switch from right-side-of-steering-wheel location to the left side of the speedometer. The stock switch holes are more or less above the transmission tunnel. It's a long story, but thanks to the veneer and the size and location of the existing holes, the switch would be offset vertically from the other switches - so I might as well move it.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=79307&d=1515957789

My question is just how much room there is available left of the speedo. So, if you have the standard dashboard layout and have the dash and body mounted, perhaps you could measure how much room there is on the left of the speedometer that's more or less accessible before the dash curves? This will eliminate the guesswork and the overly conservative approach of mounting the dash and the body before installing the switch. I know - I'm probably making this way more complicated than I need to!

[wareaglescott]

not much at all to the left. Mine starts craving away just to the left of the speedo. I will email you some pics.

[AC Bill]

I had room to install a switch to the left of the speedo, which didn't interfere with anything, and was east to reach. In this case, it's for my T/signal.
In that spot, it is within reach of my fingertips, with hands on the steering wheel.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=14742&pictureid=66593

Curves right away. Have a horn button & turn signal (long stem self centering) there. Did not show up well in the picture.

[Jdav]

that curve is accessible, but will be under the body/door.
If you are using the supplied headlight switch, not sure you would be able to pull it out if it was mounted on the curve.
79309

ie427 looks. like you are doing something custom on the dash curve

[Gumball]

Al,

I have my fresh air vents mounted on the curve and as Jdav mentions, the curve is fairly covered by both the body and the thickness of the door tops. I actually had to move my air vent pull holes down quite a bit due to door interference when pulled out. At least I caught it early in the mock-up stage, though.

[Al_C]

a little off topic for this thread, but did anybody notice the groupings on Bear's target in the background of his photo (assuming it's real)?

Back to the question at hand. My idea is sounding less and less do-able. Rather than drill now, I'm going to put the dash on the frame (if it ever gets warm enough to work in the garage) and see where things line up from the back side. Failing that, I can fabricate a backup piece that will solve the alignment problem and use the original hole. Stay tuned! This winter thing is driving me nuts.

[mburger]

a little off topic for this thread, but did anybody notice the groupings on Bear's target in the background of his photo (assuming it's real)?
.

Yeah, I noticed!! Assuming no powder burns on the targets that's nice shooting! :D

[BEAR-AvHistory]

OFF TOPIC

No powder burns or M1 pencil. Those are from my M4 5.56 NATO with a bipod & red dot sight. Similar groupings with my Henry Repeating Rifle with a Nikon scope. Go to a range about twice a month, one gun each time. Our county police range is open to the public a few days a week & has 100 meter lanes available.

Long, long ago & in a galaxy far away earned the US Army Expert Rifleman's badge in basic & requalified as expert for 6 years.