Dash fitting

[red.barchetta]

Hey Guys,

Currently fitting the body. I have left the dash not attached and floating but now that I have the body on and I think pretty close to in place (1/4” door jambs, centered, I am having an issue with the dash height. Specifically drivers side.

With the bulb seal on the firewall, the dash makes contact at the corners of the panel and I cannot raise it up off of the steering column/shaft before it contacts the body. The steering shaft bearing has no washers and is as low as I can get it. 1/8 to1/4” clearance between shaft and 2” tube.

Is enlarging the column hole or trimming the upper corners of the dash normal? Or am I getting ahead of myself and the body still needs more positioning?

Thanks for the insight.

186693186694186695

[egchewy79]

make sure the body is fit correctly first. is the nose 5/8" above the radiator cross member? my steering shaft wasn't centered in the hole but not as bad as your's. and yes, my body was rubbing on the top of my dash corners a bit.

[red.barchetta]

I put 3/4 rubber blocks upfront on the 3/4 tubes to hang the nose and it’s lined up perfectly with the quick jacks.

I have followed every body hanging thread and think I have it as close as I can. I think dash trimming will be in order…

Thanks for the reply!

[AC Bill]

I'm not sure if this has been addressed or not, but many of the MK4 bodies had to have the rolled lip at the edge of the dash cowl trimmed back, to allow the clearance needed for proper fit. The earlier models did not have this roll so there was no issue. FFR in trying to make the new body look more original added this, but it was a bit to large.

A couple of older threads that addressed this issue, and body fitment, that might help you.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/fitting-the-dash.641249/

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/body-installation.558305/

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?45843-Body-fitment-question-s-I-m-a-little-puzzled

[red.barchetta]

Hey thanks for the heads up. I have already trimmed the front and rear rolled lips to get the body into place.

I think the dash hole is not positioned correctly from FFR. I am going to go ahead and trim the upper dash edge

Thanks everyone

[egchewy79]

I found the limit of upward movement of the dash was actually the left most gauge