Quick dash mounting question

[MB750]

There's a lip on the back of the vinyl dash. (well, front of the dash if you're considering front as being forward-facing when mounted in the car)

Does this lip mount over the top of the 3/4" rounded frame tube or does the very top edge of the dash mount flush with the very top of this rounded 3/4" tube?

I feel like the body rests on this chassis member and if the dash mounts anything over the top of this 3/4" tube than the body will not like it.

[JohnK]

I'm not familiar with the vinyl dash so can't answer your question about that, but just generally-speaking the body does not rest on the dash hoop. It rests on the bulb seal on the firewall.

[scrubs]

I am sure others will chime in, but what I have seen around is keep the far right and left ends 3/16" of an inch below the frame to avoid body interference later on.

This results in the center being below the hoop.

[Papa]

I used the steering shaft opening as a guide for where to mount the dash. It sits with the top edge center just a bit below the top of the hoop and about flush as you move out from the center.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=84699&d=1524444102

[MB750]

Thanks everyone, I think I've got a clear understanding now. For reference, my car:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=183619&d=1682600633

Lip of dash over 3/4" tube:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=183620&d=1682600633

Or lip flush with 3/4" tube:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=183621&d=1682600633

And for what it's worth, if the drivers side is flush the passenger side rises up about 1/2" over the tube:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=183622&d=1682600633

But as mentioned, the weather stripping goes on top of the firewall, not that frame tube, so this means the contact is at that point, not where I'm obsessing over.

Ignore the messy epoxy, I haven't finished the carbon fiber skinning process yet.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The center of the arch is fairly irrelevant because the curve varies. Set it so that the top of the dash is around 3/16” below the ends of the hoop.

Jeff

[MB750]

The center of the arch is fairly irrelevant because the curve varies. Set it so that the top of the dash is around 3/16” below the ends of the hoop.

Jeff

I'm gonna have to fabricate up some mounts then, there's not much overlap from the top of the dash to the rail with it lowered like that. No big deal though, it gives me an excuse to make something neat for quick dash removal.

[Papa]

I'm gonna have to fabricate up some mounts then, there's not much overlap from the top of the dash to the rail with it lowered like that. No big deal though, it gives me an excuse to make something neat for quick dash removal.

Don't move the dash too low or the body won't cover the top edge all the way.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Don't move the dash too low or the body won't cover the top edge all the way.

Yep, don’t make anything permanent until you’ve put the body on for a test fit.

Jeff

[MB750]

Good tip. I'll use duct tape for now.