Dash over or under body

[Rsnake]

So my Gen 3 coupe is getting close to the point of installing the body. I have searched and looked through the manual and cannot figure out if the dash gets installed before or after the body goes on? I am thinking it goes on after so it sits on top of the body?
Thanks in advance.

[edwardb]

Based on my understanding of the the build sequence of the manual, and my personal mock-up trying it both ways, I believe Factory Five intended for it to go under the body. There's bulb seal along the top of the firewall that it rests on. Then with the bulb seal on the dash, fits against the body. So that's what I did and all worked out OK.

Having said that, I've seen several builders (including Erik Treves) install on top of the body. So clearly it can work either way. Do what works best for you.

[Rsnake]

Paul,

If you put the dash under the body can't you see the body above it in the windshield?

Thanks

Greg

[edwardb]

Paul,

If you put the dash under the body can't you see the body above it in the windshield?

Thanks

Greg

Yes. Finished and painted along with the rest of the body, plus with the added black border (frit) on the windshield, looks OK and normal to me. Which BTW, I don't think you would want touching. So would need to be careful there. My car has been seen by many thousands of people and no one has ever mentioned it. The top of the dash already has a bit of an uphill angle. Placed on top of that, would be even more pronounced. So I'm completely OK with it. But again, others have put on top. Your choice. This is a picture of how it sits in my garage at this moment.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/IMG_2485.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/186cc666-68d0-4881-b53c-af005ffe3552/p/0a462f9d-8f7f-4763-8d82-8e9c96aa0570)

[Rsnake]

Paul, that looks good to me. If you needed to remove dash would it be possible?
I assume it's permanent.

[edwardb]

Paul, that looks good to me. If you needed to remove dash would it be possible?
I assume it's permanent.

My instrument cluster panel is removable and plugs in with two connectors. With that out of the way, plus underneath access, I can get to everything. Just happened to have tried that out because of a self-inflicted error (sort of...) with my keyless ignition setup. So no reason to remove the dash. I suspect I could get it out, but might be very difficult to get back in. Not going to try.

[David Williamson]

I did the same as Paul with the dash under the body and I think this is most common from the build pictures I have seen,
David W

[Erik W. Treves]

AS was stated above (see what I did there :) ) - I placed mine above the body, mainly for the reason that I didn't want to see the body through the glass. When the glass is placed on the body it holds the front of the dash down but not so much that it can't be removed and it seals completely as well. I have had the dash out since completion - once. No issues there. It also put a slight slant to the dash toward the driver - all to say it was my preference and I don't see any down side now with 7000+ miles on the car.

FWIW the F9R - has the same type of arrangement and the dash is meant to go over the body as well....

not a great pic but:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76390&d=1509808966

[Rsnake]

Thank you Erik! I am not sure which way I am going to go but leaning your way.
The F9 is looking great by the way, keep up the great work.