Dash mount location

[PaulRSchmidt]

The manual says to mount the dash so that the dash support tubes are 3/16” below the top of the dash- is that where I’ve got marked below?

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I’m also trying to find good points to measure side to side. It’s pretty close now, at least inspecting where the steering wheel shaft would come through the dash, but if anyone has a tip, that would be very welcome.

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Finally, I seem to remember some comments, possibly on a YouTube video, about not being able to get at the dash mounting screws easily with the body on. Does that sound familiar?

[ggunter]

If your dash is at the top of the 3/4" dash hoop in the center, the sides of your dash will stick up about 3/8" on each end. Put your mounting screws in the center of the hoop and you will be able to get them out if you need to remove the dash. I thought the body would cover the dash too much to get the screws out, and made angle brackets to drop the dash and it made it too low. Didn't need them and took them out. Please make sure you trim the radius on the body over the dash and behind the seats about a 1/4" so when you go to fit the body you have a bit of movement back and forth so you can position the body about 1/4" behind the door striker mount.

[PaulRSchmidt]

made angle brackets to drop the dash and it made it too low.

I wasn’t planning on dropping the dash, just possibly adding angle brackets such that the screws would be lower on the dash. But from what you say, that’s not needed either.

[ggunter]

I was just looking through my build pictures and saw how much of a mistake it was to drop the dash. I have the vinyl padded dash and mine is mounted so the rolled edge is just over the top of the hoop. (basically so it sits nice for mounting) and I have five screws evenly spaced across the dash and you can easily remove them for servicing. Do not worry about what sticks up above the hoop on the ends of the dash. It's all covered by the body in the end.

[Theshandman]

I fabbed a few angle brackets, each attached via two rivets and a dab of JB weld, and added a nutcert to each bracket. The screws are accessible just below the body. The dash (padded vinyl from F5) is solid.
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[Chopper]

That's exactly what I did. One note, if you want the dash to be easily removable, you should take a look at how the wings tuck in behind the door hinge tops. This still makes it kind of difficult to get the dash out. If you cut the end of the wings off it will be easier, but you will need to add something to support/lock them in place on the two ends. When the body is on this area is not really visible.