Aluminum Dash Insert

[lectric80]

Did some checking and I can pick up a piece of 6061 that is big enough to cover the whole dash cover plate for about 62 dollars. Compared to the price of a "new" one from LMC, that is a huge savings. This would be .25" alloy, with a decent finish that could easily be polished, or done in the finish I am planning. I will be doing some plans this weekend, then we will see if it is doable or not. It is probably a little thicker than needed, but should fill the dash nicely, plus it will allow me to recess my gauges a bit.

 

[jonrpick]

Did some checking and I can pick up a piece of 6061 that is big enough to cover the whole dash cover plate for about 62 dollars. Compared to the price of a "new" one from LMC, that is a huge savings. This would be .25" alloy, with a decent finish that could easily be polished, or done in the finish I am planning. I will be doing some plans this weekend, then we will see if it is doable or not. It is probably a little thicker than needed, but should fill the dash nicely, plus it will allow me to recess my gauges a bit.

Make sure to post pics! Even if it's just in CAD form, I'd love to see where you're headed with this.

 

[mr250twostroke]

I did 3 panels with 1/8" aluminum for easy access. Originally plasma'd out one piece and bent to contour but felt 3 panels would make troubleshooting, changing etc easier. My radio is in dash vent and the upper right side of panel has my arb and some accessory switches now. I cant afford the sweetness of Ryokens work, thanks ex-wife.

Took alot of trimming and I used the 3 3/8" tach/spedo and 2 1/16" on the rest.
Dustin

 

[jonrpick]

I did 3 panels with 1/8" aluminum for easy access. Originally plasma'd out one piece and bent to contour but felt 3 panels would make troubleshooting, changing etc easier. My radio is in dash vent and the upper right side of panel has my arb and some accessory switches now. I cant afford the sweetness of Ryokens work, thanks ex-wife.

Took alot of trimming and I used the 3 3/8" tach/spedo and 2 1/16" on the rest.
Dustin

That looks badass man!

 

[noJeepshere]

i like your display mount.

 

[lectric80]

That is a really nice setup, and it shows me that I can mount my fuel gauge between the speedo and tach. I had already been planning on using the same size gauges you have there. I just felt making the fuel gauge a little more visible would be a good idea. Thanks for showing us that.

Edit: In fact that is the same line of gauges that I am getting. I liked that everything that I wanted was available in the same style.

 

[cheyennek20]

That's almost exactly what I'm talking about!!!!! That is the most accurate pic I've seen to date. Only a few differences. I want to retain the headlight switch and mod the lower keft for any accessory lighting. I want to keep the upper right for winch controls or other accessories.
Great job on the metal work!!!!

Are the tach and speedo 5" or 3 3/8"?

 

[noJeepshere]

I really am working on getting one out into production.... I ran into a little setback with the mold... have to redo a few things on it as the first layups wheren't coming out quite right...

let me know when you do, that dash is shweet! also, could you explain what all the switches are for where the headlight switch should be? i think those are pretty neat.

 

[ryoken]

Well, considering this is a dash insert thread I guess I wont be dragging this too off topic...

The 5 Contura rockers to the left are for left to right. interior lights (off/floor/floor and overhead), wipers (off/low/hi), auxilary lights (off/front/rear), electric fans (off/thermal on/both on), running lights (off/parking/headlights) (oldschool foot hi-beam switch on floor)

The other side of the column is set up for the same switches...

those will be for the winch, parallel switch, heater, etc...

 

[noJeepshere]

cool... neat idea, i want a similar set of switches controlling all my blazers functions. hijack off

 

[mr250twostroke]

That looks badass man!

Thank you very much! Also for the forum sir .

i like your display mount.

No shortage of those!

That is a really nice setup, and it shows me that I can mount my fuel gauge between the speedo and tach. I had already been planning on using the same size gauges you have there. I just felt making the fuel gauge a little more visible would be a good idea. Thanks for showing us that.

Edit: In fact that is the same line of gauges that I am getting. I liked that everything that I wanted was available in the same style.

My pleasure.

That's almost exactly what I'm talking about!!!!! That is the most accurate pic I've seen to date. Only a few differences. I want to retain the headlight switch and mod the lower keft for any accessory lighting. I want to keep the upper right for winch controls or other accessories.
Great job on the metal work!!!!

Are the tach and speedo 5" or 3 3/8"?

Thanks again guys! 3 3/8's.
Dustin

 

[NEK5]

I did 3 panels with 1/8" aluminum for easy access. Originally plasma'd out one piece and bent to contour but felt 3 panels would make troubleshooting, changing etc easier. My radio is in dash vent and the upper right side of panel has my arb and some accessory switches now. I cant afford the sweetness of Ryokens work, thanks ex-wife.

Took alot of trimming and I used the 3 3/8" tach/spedo and 2 1/16" on the rest.
Dustin

I love it!

Got any pics of it installed?

 

[fabjunkie]

Bringing one back from the dead. Do you guys that eliminate the vent above the original HVAC controls or the center one in the dash (like Ryoken's) still run A/C?