Fitting ends of dash

[Broadwaydan]

I am getting close to putting the body back on for the first time since removing it and building the vehicle. I am curious how much bending needs to happen to the ends of the dash to fit. Does the dash just follow the lines of the cockpit at the dash? Is there any other bending to do? Does the end of the dash fasten anywhere to the chassis or firewall, or just tuck under the body lip? I am sure I would figure it out when I attempt to fit the body on, but thought I would get some info so I will be prepared when I do this. Thanks.

Dan

[skullandbones]

Dan,

This is one of those projects I put off for the permanent resolution as I was stopping to anx over many things like this. Finally, with little help from the manual, I used pics and diagrams I had seen from various projects. I used a quart size paint can, I think, bending the dash ends around it. I attached temporary zip ties to the ends to secure them away from the door hinges and the area where the body edges might hit it. I plan to fabricate aluminum brakets to secure the ends like I did to stiffen the dash on the bottom (mounted on hinges). But since I will be taking the body off for final prep and painting, it remains the way it is for now.

One thing I noticed about the disign is that it is not likely to get a complete matching of the dash curve and the body curve above the dash. As it goes toward the edge on both sides, the curves diverge. If I was designing a custom dash, I believe I would take extra effort to get the spaces filled in better but not on this design as it is now. JMO, WEK.

[Jeff Kleiner]

FFR says to tuck the dash ends behind the hinges but I don't care for that and use some simple brackets to secure it to the firewall extension on the passenger side. The end is trimmed a bit to accomplish this. Although this photo isn't focused on it you can see how it was done:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/100_2093.jpg

The driver's side does not have a firewall extension but a similar angle bracket attached to the 2X2 tube accomplishes the same thing (green arrow).

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/dash.jpg

If it ever needs to be removed the chrome buttonhead bolts with nuts on the backside are accessable from below.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Broadwaydan]

Jeff and Skull,

Thanks for the information and pictures. This will really help when I get to that point. I guess fabbing brackets and pieces and parts and cutting and trimming is a never ending process...

Dan