Gumball
02-29-2012, 01:09 PM
UPDATED 5/5/16 - Although FFR now sells a version of under dash tubes for use with their 289 body style kits, I thought that some of you out there may be interested in making a set yourself, both to save a little money and to also make them functional as mechanical chases for wiring and such (I think the FFR versions are more of a hard-mount).
Original thread follows -
Here are a couple pics of my under dash tubes that mimic the scuttle tubes that were visible on the original cars between the dash and the transmission tunnel. Since my car has the S/C dash layout, I wanted to use one of these to run the speedo cable up to the back of the speedo and this alignment made it a straight shot to the reverser that is on the back of my speedo. The other tube is going to be used as a chase for wiring for the trunk, fuel sender, and tail lights.
I used thinwall chrome-moly tubing that just allowed enough ID for the speedo cable nut to pass through - this kept the outside diameter down as much as possible. Even so, these are much larger than the original chassis tubes. Installation is simple - I just cut a small groove at the top of each tube for a one-inch "C" clip and wrapped the edge of the holes in the trans tunnel and the under dash support panel (from Replicaparts.com - vendor) with some grommet edging. The grommeting caused the tubes to have a tight, rattle free fit, while the "C" clips keep them from falling down into the trans tunnel. By not securing them from below, I can simply push them up into the dash area (limited by the speedo, though) enough to at least remove the trans tunnel if need be at some point down the road.
Probably the most difficult part was getting the angles right as they follow the slope of the dash, but also angle in from the sides. The originals were somewhat more spread out to the sides of the trans tunnel, but this is the layout that worked best on my build, while giving a more correct look to that area under the dash that is otherwise pretty bare.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/img_4362.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/img_4362.jpg.html)
Note the alignment with the speedo - the tube brings the speedo cable right up to the reverser....
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140524_154709528_zps132fc82c.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140524_154709528_zps132fc82c.jpg.html)
Original thread follows -
Here are a couple pics of my under dash tubes that mimic the scuttle tubes that were visible on the original cars between the dash and the transmission tunnel. Since my car has the S/C dash layout, I wanted to use one of these to run the speedo cable up to the back of the speedo and this alignment made it a straight shot to the reverser that is on the back of my speedo. The other tube is going to be used as a chase for wiring for the trunk, fuel sender, and tail lights.
I used thinwall chrome-moly tubing that just allowed enough ID for the speedo cable nut to pass through - this kept the outside diameter down as much as possible. Even so, these are much larger than the original chassis tubes. Installation is simple - I just cut a small groove at the top of each tube for a one-inch "C" clip and wrapped the edge of the holes in the trans tunnel and the under dash support panel (from Replicaparts.com - vendor) with some grommet edging. The grommeting caused the tubes to have a tight, rattle free fit, while the "C" clips keep them from falling down into the trans tunnel. By not securing them from below, I can simply push them up into the dash area (limited by the speedo, though) enough to at least remove the trans tunnel if need be at some point down the road.
Probably the most difficult part was getting the angles right as they follow the slope of the dash, but also angle in from the sides. The originals were somewhat more spread out to the sides of the trans tunnel, but this is the layout that worked best on my build, while giving a more correct look to that area under the dash that is otherwise pretty bare.
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/img_4362.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/img_4362.jpg.html)
Note the alignment with the speedo - the tube brings the speedo cable right up to the reverser....
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140524_154709528_zps132fc82c.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140524_154709528_zps132fc82c.jpg.html)