Dash layout question

[Stiglitz]

Just if anyone has an opinion. I am in "gray matter design studio" mode and I'm trying to come up with design for if/when I decide to do my own build.

Being in FL, I'm definitely thinking AC. I certainly want it to work properly, so of course vent location is key.
I like street dash layout, and my thought was to put one round vent in place of one of the gauges on center of dash. Size is relatively comparable, so I think it would be relatively discreet. My daily is a Boxster so I'm kind of used to where the vents are, and they are more than adequate.

If this is done, obviously there would be a sacrifice of a gauge (or two if decision to put a passenger facing one also).

Clock can go, who cares about the time if you are out driving!

My thought (am I insane?) was to "double up" two gauges (ie: Oil Pressure and Oil Temp), and use a TFT-LCD round display running off an esp32. Gauge could be designed to look like the other gauges.

Possibly one red needle for Temp, blue needle for Pressure, have them basically one running clockwise and one counter clockwise, with small digital display of each, with green/yellow/red depending on current data.

These could be easily customizable to the car via web page connected from cell phone. The size of the displays is again close to the standard, and a 3d bezel could make it match even more. normal senders, just one connection to esp32 board. TFT-LCD's are very bright so would work well on car.

This would keep the classic look w/o going too far off the reservation.
My dream/goal is to do some long (cross country) drives, so I'm designing with that in mind in my head (better than counting sheep?)
My other "challenges" are: Bikini top that is easily foldable, Super pencil beam driving spots (for "middle of nowhere, not for a lot of use), that are super small (2-3"), and either easily removable (bracketed to quick jacks), or maybe even 'stealthed' installation in brake duct openings. Tunnel Cover rear padding/arm rest, audio controls (like cv2065 has on his current build), or a discreet button panel for audio/some lights, cruise control, etc A-la Enterprise Command Chair


Thoughts? Am I crazy? ---- discuss!!

221438
221439

[egchewy79]

it's your car and you can do whatever you want, but in my opinion, I like the simple classic look of the gauges as is. I tried to minimize stuff on my dash, putting hazard switch, vents, chargers under the dash.
I find that trying to get too unique looks a bit odd in my opinion. I've seen digital dashes and displays but still prefer the classic look over them all.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Qc9d38CMpHY?si=mfONPaIDEKLIFkNh

[Grubester]

Agree with 'egchewy79' that the more classic look seems right -- especially for my Mk4 289-style car.
I've started with a blank dash and have been trying to lay them out now.
I have many pics printed-up to show the variations of the 289 Cobras. Notice, too, that I have five screws mounting the top of the dash (I hope the center one matches what my painter will eventually do for stripes, center-wise!)
221440

[TrackDay17]

I considered doing combination gauges, Speedhut has them on their website in several styles.
I think I've talked myself out of dual gauges for my build but my thought was if you combined a couple of gauges it would free up some dash real estate.
I'm not running heat or ac so I decided against it.

[rickster991]

Check out Erik’s video. This what I plan on doing with AC vents.


https://youtu.be/HGDspjhwl6A

[rich grsc]

Forget vents up in the dash. It's an open air car, all you will do is vent your AC into the open and be immediately sucked away. Not only that, but you will find there is almost no room behind the dash for vent hoses.

[gbranham]

In your daily driver, how often do you look at any gauge other than speedo and fuel? I spent a lot of time laying out my standard 6 or 7 gauges that everyone uses, and after I got my car sorted out and running well, I don't look at any of them other than fuel and speedo. If I build another, I'll put only these two gauges on the dash, and use my ProFlo4 EFI app on a tablet, mounted below the dash, to show me all the other telemetry. Keeps things simple. I hear what Rich is saying about AC efficiency in an open-top car, but every convertible built today has AC, and it's usable, so I think there'd be some benefit from it in a MkV, especially when idling at stop lights, where the heat gets to be the most intense. And nearly every convertible built today has vents on the dash. The available space behind the dash is a legit concern, though.

Greg

[Justin]

I plan on some under dash vents. I haven't started on it yet but the dash just has the Gauges and glove box.

[rich grsc]

Greg, not say AC is a bad idea. If I had one, the vents would only be into the footbox to push out the hot air