View Full Version : I cut my dash in half
rj35pj
09-28-2011, 09:57 PM
47584757
Cutting off the top will make it much easier to wire, run AC and wipers. I am still working on the top panel but I think I have it figured out. We will see... :)
Bob
loeffler1
09-28-2011, 10:58 PM
I cut mine 1" from the face so it bolts to the crossbar. I fabbed a new top out of heavier alum and made 3 spring clips at the front that slide under the fiberglass. I extended it slightly over the front dash face about 1/8". Covered it with 1/8" board (made for antique cars doors and foot panels) and over that with heavy vinyl left over from Roy Hewson's upholstery job. Sure makes working on everything much easier.
Bill
rj35pj
09-29-2011, 06:00 AM
I cut mine 1" from the face so it bolts to the crossbar. I fabbed a new top out of heavier alum and made 3 spring clips at the front that slide under the fiberglass. I extended it slightly over the front dash face about 1/8". Covered it with 1/8" board (made for antique cars doors and foot panels) and over that with heavy vinyl left over from Roy Hewson's upholstery job. Sure makes working on everything much easier.
Bill
Hi Bill,
I knew my idea was not original, infact I had read a post quite a while ago perhaps on the other forum about this subject, maybe it was you. I had figured on a thin foam with vinyl or naugahide over that. If you have some pictures I would love to see your ideas.
Thanks,
Bob
CJBergquist
09-29-2011, 11:07 PM
I cut my dash in half and made a new top. It's over sized and will be trimmed to fit when I get the body on.
4785
Here is a link to some additional dash build photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51103049@N00/sets/72157625553829533/with/5295039718/
rj35pj
09-30-2011, 08:24 AM
Wow!!! what fine fine work. I'm going out to work on and plan my dash right now and you have just given me about a thousand ideas....wow.
STLMARSHALL
10-02-2011, 08:41 PM
I cut mine also, and modified the RF wiring harness so the 2 large plugs have nearly all the hookups for the dash. I pull the 2 plugs, tach feed, speedo cable, and a/c vents and the dash comes right out. Takes about 10 min total, under race conditions I could do it in 5.
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/mmarshall01/DSC00917.jpg
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/mmarshall01/DSC00892.jpg
mintcondition
10-11-2011, 07:18 PM
How do I get the dash in if I don't cut it. The frame gets in the way.
Jacob McCrea
10-13-2011, 04:23 PM
Gentlemen,
I'm interested to hear what you used to actually cut the dash in half. I was thinking of using a thin air-powered cutoff wheel and clamping a piece of straight steel to the dash to guide the cut. I also imagine I could break it cleanly if I scored it about 100 times, again using a piece of straight steel as a guide. Is there a better way? Any insight is appreciated, as always.
riptide motorsport
10-13-2011, 04:34 PM
Cut off wheel is the best way to go about it.
MPTech
10-13-2011, 04:41 PM
Rich GRSC showed me a cool trick when he helped (ok, he did most of the work and I helped and learned :D) me build my expanded roadster PS footbox. Using a Lexan scoring tool (about $2 from the HW boxstore). Clamp a straight edge, score it a bunch of times, bend and break cleanly. Bending a piece that long might be more challenging, but it's got to be easier (and straighter) than a cut-off wheel. Then just cleanup with a file / sandparer. (be careful, it will cut you bad). Might be good to line up the straightedge on the other side and score both sides.
I was amazed this worked so well. I did it for years when using Lexan (or Acrylic, don't remember now) to build customer sal****er aquariums. Rick showed me how great it works on thin aluminum too!
Jacob McCrea
10-19-2011, 02:05 PM
Guys, thanks for your input on the dash. I imagine I'll be cutting mine in half before too long. If my progess to the present is any indication, "if I'm in for a dime, I'm in for a dollar."
loeffler1
10-20-2011, 10:51 PM
Jeez Louise - Go to your favorite sheetmetal shop and have them shear it off. My shop did it for free and took all of 30 seconds, but even so it can't cost but a couple bucks. As I mentioned I marked it 1" from the edge and snip, all done. Sure does make life easier, especially as I have a wiring glitch in the gauges. I've got a few screws on the inside edge and even with the windshield sitting in place, a short screwdriver does the trick. It slides right off the fiberglass edge, and when in place the spring clips keep it from flexing. Almost like factory made!!!!!!
Bill
I have air powered shears that seem to work really well. 5443