Dash Location Input Help Please

[Daddy O]

Hi Guys,

I have the blank F5 dash that I want to do the Competition Layout on. I have it clamped in position with Jeff Kleiner's recommended 3/16" tube showing on each end. Does this look right? There is about 1/2" of tube above the mid point showing. The dash does rise 1/8" above the tube hoop closer to the ends. Please see photos. Is this about where it needs to be? Wanted to make sure before cutting the larger opening for the Russ Thompson Turn Signal Housing. I also plan on making the dash removable using the angle brackets described by Paul B.

Thanks everyone, your help so far has been invaluable!

164553164552164554

[BrewCityCobra]

That looks about right - I can confirm those dimensions when I am out in the garage later tonight. I just put the angled brackets in last weekend so it sounds like we are in about the same spot in our builds.

[Daddy O]

Thanks Brew, interested to hear how yours compares.

[GoDadGo]

Daddy O,

I went through the same issue when I did my drop down dash tabs.

I kept measuring and measuring and measuring and measuring and, and, and, and, and, and.......
I ended up throwing the body back on the car so that I could position the dash against the 3/4 tube.
That task yielded what I was hoping for which can be viewed around 1:52 in to the attached video:

https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

You'll Solve This Riddle Soon & Come Out On Victorious In The End!

Steve

[CDXXVII]

I shaved these two corners down and raised the dash a bit. I really suck drawing with the mouse. Worked out great for the competition dash but not recommended for the stock FFR street dash.

You can see a couple outlines on the top of the dash. I don't remember which line is the final position with the body on.


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164605&d=1648354378

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164606&d=1648354411

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164607&d=1552098566

[BrewCityCobra]

Thanks Brew, interested to hear how yours compares.

So i put mine to the ruler and the numbers were damn close. I also had approximately 3/16 on both end (per Kleiner's recommendation) but mine did move a bit when installing the right-angle attachment brackets so my drive side is a bit high (about a 32nd to a 16th).

All said - mine is 3/16 above on the drive side, 3/8" low in the middle, and a 1/8" high on the passenger side. I have to think that is well within spec given that lip will ultimately take up some vertical difference.

[Norm B]

Note how the bottom of the dash runs parallel to the 2 inch firewall frame in CDXXVII's second picture. Mine wouldn't do that if I followed the installation instructions. I ended up having to trim about 3/8 inch off the top of the driver's side to make it look right. I would also recommend marking the frame position on the back of the panel and the body curl on the front, if possible, before laying out your gauges. Space is limited and it is very easy to have an interference issue.

HTH

Norm

[Daddy O]

Thanks everybody, this gives me a lot to think over. I will be dropping the body on to check before I cut any holes.

Question - When I put the body on to check how much the cockpit lip covers the dash, should I have the firewall bulb seal on? Seems like that would affect how much the lip covers the dash.

[edwardb]

Question - When I put the body on to check how much the cockpit lip covers the dash, should I have the firewall bulb seal on? Seems like that would affect how much the lip covers the dash.

Yes.

[Fman]

My painter recommended the center of the dash be level with the center cross bar. He has painted over 900 of these cars so I gladly took his advice. I sent him a pic of where I had it set and he gave me the green light with this location. Notice center is level with the cross bar.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131691&d=1594602692