Advice on dash layout

[wmhjr]

I'm working on making a custom dash using autometer gauges for my '66 GTO Vert restomod. I'm using 8 gauges (speedo, tach, volt, h20 temp, fuel level, oil pressure, oil temp and fuel pressure). I have .063" engine turned aluminum I'm making the face from, and will use "factory type" chrome knobs and chrome heater/fan controls.

I was going to use a Custom Autosound USA630 vintage type radio in the normal radio mounting location, and then mount the remaining two gauges below the dash in a mounting pod.

However, I can also use the readio opening to mount the remaining two gauges and then use a Secret Audio SS (w/RF remote) for the radio.

Here are a couple images. One is with the exact layout retaining the radio, though the radio measurements will be different because of the radio size. The backing material will be different of course. Remember that the remaining 2 gauges will need to mount below the dash on the one with the radio. The other pic with the template shows blue where it's engined turn aluminum, and white where gauges and switches go. The opening is for the heater/fan controls go (chrome).

Please let me know your opinions. I'm kind of leaning toward getting all the gauges in the dash right now.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/8February2009001-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/Dashboard-1.jpg

[ProTouring442]

I say option 3 is the best, put all of the gauges in the dash, put the radio in the dash, and hang the ignition switch, headlight switch, etc either under the dash, or in the console.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[wmhjr]

I say option 3 is the best, put all of the gauges in the dash, put the radio in the dash, and hang the ignition switch, headlight switch, etc either under the dash, or in the console.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Thanks, but not an option. The way the plastic dash bezel (what the aluminum and gauges go into) is constructed, cutting out all the material where the switches are would weaken the assembly far too much. Also, I am not going to put a console in this car.

[mjoc1]

I would suggest that you put the four gauges in a square next to the tach then put the a/c controls where they are then put the radio where it is in the finished dash. Then on the speedo side move the two gauges so that they are stacked on top of each other.

So It would go two 2 1/16" then the Speedo, then the tach, Then the four gauge cluster then the a/c controls, below that the radio. leave the ignition light and other switches where they are.

Mike

[wmhjr]

I would suggest that you put the four gauges in a square next to the tach then put the a/c controls where they are then put the radio where it is in the finished dash. Then on the speedo side move the two gauges so that they are stacked on top of each other.

So It would go two 2 1/16" then the Speedo, then the tach, Then the four gauge cluster then the a/c controls, below that the radio. leave the ignition light and other switches where they are.

Mike

Mike, thanks but I'm very concerned that this would not work. The problem is that there is very little material to secure the switches, etc and maintain the strength of the assembly on the bottom. I think a rough idea of what you're talking about is:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/8February2009009-1.jpg

But the problem is that when you look at the image below, you can see that I'd have to remove even more plastic on the bottom. I'd be creating real risk that it will start to crack from stress. It's also a bit busy and I still then need to determine enough space for turn signal and high beam lights. Thoughts?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/8February2009010-1.jpg

[rockytopper]

This is the dash I created for my 65 LS1 F-85 project with autometer gauges.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/dashx1-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/ptc-1.jpg

How about a layout like this.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/dashx-1.jpg

Or this

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/dash2x-1.jpg

You could use thicker aluminum behind your finished mated panel allowing you to rearrange the controls and support the removal of the plastic to avoid cracking the bezel.

I have 3d cad and water jet if you need any help give me a shout.
Good luck with your project
Rocky

[wmhjr]

Rocky, your dash looks great! I wish I could go that route. That's one advantage of the '65 over the '66 in the Poncho.

In my case I'm planning to use the .063" aluminum in the front, and probably something similar in the back. But I've got to be very careful. As opposed to how the dash in your Olds is constructed, you can see that my dash has very tenuous mounting points where the plastic dash bezel mounts to the actual metal dash. Further, the plastic bezel itself is the "rim" or "exterior" along with the mounts for switches. So, I have a few things to keep in mind. They are:

1) By removing plastic from the interior of the bezel (as I already have) I reduce torsional stability, and increase how much it might flex. I have already planned to use the heavier .063 in the front, and then use a somewhat smaller footprint of .063 in the back (only behind in the gauge area and not elsewhere), effectively sandwiching at least some plastic in between.

2) There are only very small screws which secure the plastic bezel to the dash itself. By adding the weight of the metal in the front and behind, I'm putting more stress on those mounting points. I need to keep that in mind and balance weight vs strength. This is 43 year old plastic, and they don't make this dash bezel as a repop. They make a 67 but it's different.

3) I also need to keep some room between the switches and the gauge cups. The headlight and wiper switches in particular are not tiny.

It is for these reasons I'm trying to be a little cautious here and retain as much plastic as I reasonably can.

[FULMNTE]

Why not put the two remaining gauges into a gauge pod on the A-pillar? They would be at eye level and you would not have anything 'hanging' below the dash...

Just an idea, this is the dash in my Monte:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[rockytopper]

can you use maybe .125 thick aluminum on the back panel and counter sink screws in it into the metal dash so that it is caring the load and not the plastic part? You can then bond the exterior finsihed piece over it to cover the screws. That is how mine is constructed.

[wmhjr]

Why not put the two remaining gauges into a gauge pod on the A-pillar? They would be at eye level and you would not have anything 'hanging' below the dash...

On a '66 GTO Convertible, there is really no "A-Pillar" suitable to hang a pod on. There is no A-pillar molding - it's just bare body painted steel. IMHO it would be butt ugly and require either drilling through the metal pillar or running wires visibly down on top of the fact that they would really stick out a lot.

[wmhjr]

can you use maybe .125 thick aluminum on the back panel and counter sink screws in it into the metal dash so that it is caring the load and not the plastic part? You can then bond the exterior finsihed piece over it to cover the screws. That is how mine is constructed.

Not really. If you look closely at the bezel in one of the pics I showed earlier you can see the upper screws are in the "lip" or "front top" of the bezel. There would be no aluminum there. When you move back to where the AL would be, you would be screwing into the exposed top of the metal dash - so the screws would mar the top surface of the dash. I suppose it's possible I could figure out where and weld mounts underneath the top surface, but I'm trying not to make this a ridiculous project. Plus, it would be REALLY REALLY hard to get at those screws then. The back part is not covered by anything on top. The metal is exposed. The dash pad is actually relatively small and I don't think it would help to hide any of this stuff.

The real problem is the original design of the dash bezel on these things. I don't want to completely eliminate it - that would mean custom forming of the entire enclosure.

[wmhjr]

Here I've tried to point out the (few and fragile) mouting locations for the dash bezel itself with yellow arrows. Those are the only mounting points. Please note that the entire top and sides stick out with nothing covering them. The entire assembly (minus the engine turned aluminum facing) will be painted body color.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/hrdasharrow-1.jpg

[FULMNTE]

On a '66 GTO Convertible, there is really no "A-Pillar" suitable to hang a pod on. There is no A-pillar molding - it's just bare body painted steel. IMHO it would be butt ugly and require either drilling through the metal pillar or running wires visibly down on top of the fact that they would really stick out a lot.

Oh OK....

[rockytopper]

I don't really think that bezel is all that wimpy. Unless it is hard, bridal and subject to crack no matter what. I mean it originally hung the weight of a factory radio, hvac controls and instruments. What you’re adding will weight less than the factory stuff. If you screw a panel to the back and front of the flat instrument section and bond it to it as well it will only strengthen this original part. Don’t cut any plastic until you have added the panels to the plastic bezel as noted. If you still thank it want carry the load screw the thing thru the flat part into the metal structure underneath. If there isn’t any add it. I know my auto meter gauges weigh far less than the factory instrument cluster I removed.

[Twentyover]

Also- remember if you have A/C you may want to put a couple face level vents in the panel

[wmhjr]

I don't really think that bezel is all that wimpy. Unless it is hard, bridal and subject to crack no matter what. I mean it originally hung the weight of a factory radio, hvac controls and instruments. What you’re adding will weight less than the factory stuff. If you screw a panel to the back and front of the flat instrument section and bond it to it as well it will only strengthen this original part. Don’t cut any plastic until you have added the panels to the plastic bezel as noted. If you still thank it want carry the load screw the thing thru the flat part into the metal structure underneath. If there isn’t any add it. I know my auto meter gauges weigh far less than the factory instrument cluster I removed.

The factory unit does not support the radio for example. On the radio and heater side, there is steel behind the bezel and that's what the radio for example is supported by. It is a full metal panel on the right. On the gauge/steering wheel side, there is not. There is nothing to "screw the aluminum panel" to - especially on the top. It will be bonded and you can see the small rim that it will go onto. That, along with the gauges (bezel to rear cup) are what will secure the panel.

The bezel is kind of dry and somehat brittle especially on the rims. I'm not going to weld more steel behind it. Like I said, I'm trying to make this nice but don't want major fabrication even BEHIND this panel. That's why I came up with a couple options that will allow for the safe use of the bezel in two different configurations. When you consider the weight of the metal panels, this will certainly be carrying more weight than the factory setup. As seen by the photo, the plastic had to be cut before the panels are in place. That's because of the "tubes" molded into the plastic to begin with that would prevent anything from being placed on it (either on the front or the rear).

Make sense?

[wmhjr]

Also- remember if you have A/C you may want to put a couple face level vents in the panel

No air on this ride! Other than the convertible top when it's down.

[HarleyT]

Here's another option, I have not finished mine but I will probably put the radio in the factory spot. I wish I would have done a vintage air ac or at least used their ac control.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/320853533-1.jpg

[wmhjr]

Is that one of the new Covan Thunder Road dashes?

[HarleyT]

No, it's not a covan. I made it out of 3/8 alum on one of our mills at work. It took a couple of tries first out of plastic to get the hole spacing correct.

[wmhjr]

No, I meant the plastic. It looks pretty new in the pic

[Mathius]

If you're not going with a stock dash, why worry about hiding the radio? It sounds like what you're really debating is do I want a "busy" dash, or a clean one?

If you want your dash ultra clean, put a console in and put the radio and extra gauges in there. Just leave the tach and speedo or whatever you need to see easily while driving in the dash.

Mathius

[wmhjr]

Thanks, and "sort of".

I want it clean and usable, and I don't think I want a console. I'm actually considering mounting an extinguisher where the console would otherwise mount. Really what I'm debating is the two options I had to vote on. I really don't care about the radio - it was more of whether having the two gauges below the dash or having them where the radio would normally go is preferable.

I think I've decided to put two gauges in the radio location and use secret audio. I have some more measuring to do, but that's the way I'm leaning right now.

[Mathius]

Thanks, and "sort of".

I want it clean and usable, and I don't think I want a console. I'm actually considering mounting an extinguisher where the console would otherwise mount. Really what I'm debating is the two options I had to vote on. I really don't care about the radio - it was more of whether having the two gauges below the dash or having them where the radio would normally go is preferable.

I think I've decided to put two gauges in the radio location and use secret audio. I have some more measuring to do, but that's the way I'm leaning right now.

<shrug> It's your car, do it up the way you want man. Is it going to be a race car? I can't say I agree with the look you're going for otherwise, but it isn't my car.

Mathius

[wmhjr]

Street and strip. What can I say? Maybe my personal tastes are unique :)

[jackfrost]

another thought if you want to strengthen the dashpad is you could use fiberglass on the back. 5-6 layers of glass add quite a bit of strength w/o much thickness, and it should bond to the plastic pretty well.

[Mathius]

Street and strip. What can I say? Maybe my personal tastes are unique :)

<shrug> If you're taking it to the strip I guess I can appreciate what you're doing. It just bugs me when people do the whole "race car" interior on a street car or add a bunch of gauges they're never gonna use.

Mathius

[wmhjr]

The car will find its way to the strip from time to time. It's also why I'm using an SFI scattershield and a driveshaft loop. The extra gauges (fuel pressure and oil temp) are important to me. They are not just for show. Of the two, I'm most concerned about oil temp. The block is bottom filled.

[ProTouring442]

I was thinking about your comments concerning the strength of the dash after you have cut out the bulk of the plastic, and I think I have a solution. Go get some of the panel Adhesive they use when bonding exterior sheet metal. With this, you only need a 1/2" to 3/4" strip of the original dash, then bond one of the aluminum panels you are using to that strip. Just make sure you have the dash on a flat surface while waiting for the adhesive to dry as once it sets you will destroy the dash trying to get them apart again!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[wmhjr]

Thanks, Bill. Fortunately or otherwise, I'm well past this. Matter of fact, just got back a few hours ago from another session of prep for the World of Wheels indoor show - have to deliver the car on Wednesday morning. I'll have some pics before long.

[crustysack]

heres what i did for my 65 the open hole will get the vintage air controls

[killer67]

I say option 3 looks best

[wmhjr]

Guys, btw...

The dash is done. It looks like:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/GTOWorldofWheels3030-1.jpg

[Jim Nilsen]

And an awesome dash it is. The machined look is so Pontiac it is a natural feeling to the eye and almost expected.

Awesome just Awesome

[wmhjr]

Thanks, Jim!

[dmcgilli]

Hi,

We are also doing a custom '66 GTO dashboard. Wondering is you have any drawings CAD drawings of the insert template.

Thanks in advance,

DTM