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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: nikesb1111 on January 06, 2009, 07:27:20 PM

Title: custom dash
Post by: nikesb1111 on January 06, 2009, 07:27:20 PM
anyone have a custom dash? Im in the process of making one for my 86 right now, id like to see what you guys have done.
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: nikesb1111 on January 07, 2009, 08:13:27 PM
Heres a picture of the dash im working on
(http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk346/nikesb1111/IMG_6625.jpg)
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 07, 2009, 09:36:41 PM
very nice. i like it! might try something like that with one of my old cracked dash pads  ;D
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 69byrd on January 08, 2009, 12:10:56 AM
Heres a couple of pix I have on my computer.

(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0803cct_06_z1986_c10_interior.jpg)

This on is out of a Galaxy
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0809cct_07_z1978_chevy_c10chevy_int.jpg)

(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0809cct_08_z1978_chevy_c10gmc_steer.jpg)
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: roadrage41 on January 08, 2009, 06:39:32 AM
how much flex you figure the dash gets? i took my pad off a while back as i needed to shore up the ducting for my defroster, and i kind of like the way it looks without it, im thinking of getting some sheetmetal and making a "smooth" dash. be a pain to get the curve right im thinking. but itd have an older feel, and im not real concerned about the cosmetics anyway...

i bought some 26 gauge galvanized steel to cover the holes in the firewall from where my factory heater was, would that work? does galvanized take paint well?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 78BBSTEPSIDE on January 08, 2009, 08:48:40 PM
check out the headliner on the truck with the dash from the Galaxie
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 69byrd on January 09, 2009, 06:46:16 AM
Never noticed that. Thats pretty cool  ;D
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: treepete on January 09, 2009, 09:15:56 AM
The third one has the creepy skull in the center console. I saw the eye, and then I was like GAH@#@! skulls are cool.

Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 69byrd on January 11, 2009, 07:31:21 PM
Heres a couple more dash pix I had. I think they are 60s Chevy truck dashes.

(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/621200683521PM7371.jpg)

(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/1022008115319PM77861.jpg)
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: KoolerSL2 on January 11, 2009, 11:05:49 PM
heres mine.
still tryin to finish.
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: s75chevys on January 13, 2009, 01:01:16 PM
so how do u do this ? do you just sand your dash and bondo or fiberglass over it and use it or do you completely make a new one ... because ive hurd people use there existing just by sanding it and painting it and i also hurd a way to make a hole new one .... im not trying to make a hole new one mines still in perfect shape ... ???
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: Captkaos on January 13, 2009, 03:28:18 PM
Fill the voids with filler and fiberglass over it.
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: SUX2BU99 on January 13, 2009, 04:20:02 PM
What effect do you want? Just to smooth over the metal framework in behind or create a whole new dash?

What is often done is you take the factory metal frame work that is welded to the truck and build off of it. You can use wood like MDF to create edges and then stretch fabric over it all to create shape. Or, you use foam blocks for the shape portion and you can shape it by cutting and sanding. Foam is quick and fairly easy to create shapes with that you can't by stretching fabric. Then cover it with something like foil or masking tape (to prevent the fiberglass resin from eating the foam) and then fiberglass over it all to solidify the shape. After that be prepared for a LOT of sanding and prep work to smooth it out if you want a painted finish. Or, sand it to about a 100 grit level if you want to cover it with material.
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: tvblazer78 on January 13, 2009, 08:13:07 PM
Here is what I did..
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: VileZambonie on January 13, 2009, 11:55:52 PM
Kinda hard to see what you did and how it turned out there. Do you have anymore bigger pix?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: tvblazer78 on January 15, 2009, 10:17:58 AM
Here is more, I am trying to make them as big as I can. They are 1MB pics.
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: Captkaos on January 15, 2009, 11:07:40 AM
email them to me Travis and I will change them for you.  Just make them 800x600 and they should be fine...
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 69byrd on January 15, 2009, 11:26:16 PM
Tvblazer is your dash painted or covered in some kind of material?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on January 16, 2009, 12:38:11 AM
I'm liking that galaxy dash...


Here's a pic I found somewhere...
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/Parts%20n%20Pieces/73-87withalate90sdash.jpg)
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: Captkaos on January 16, 2009, 09:57:40 AM
His dash is covered in either ultraleather or leather.  I don't remember which.

Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: tvblazer78 on January 16, 2009, 04:22:53 PM
Tvblazer is your dash painted or covered in some kind of material?

Cap is right ultraleather some leather in some small places..
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: treepete on January 17, 2009, 09:23:56 PM
tvb, that is so super-awesome, I cant take it.

right. on.




Pete
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: bigblue09 on January 17, 2009, 09:43:39 PM
how would i do fiberglass? what do i need to do it?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: 69byrd on January 18, 2009, 11:37:47 AM
I was thinking about fiber glassing my dash also but I am concerened about the pad flexing when I put it back on. Wouldn't flexing damage the paint on the dash?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: nikesb1111 on January 18, 2009, 01:20:03 PM
i fiberglassed mine, it doesnt flex much, i didnt have a problem when putting it in
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: bigblue09 on January 18, 2009, 01:27:17 PM
how hard is is to fiberglass it?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: bigkountry on January 26, 2009, 10:30:17 PM
I am half way done glassing my dash.

I sanded the pad, filled from the underside and stretched old t-shirts over it to give structure. I have about 6 coats of epoxy on it right now and you could drive a nail with it...lol
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: bigblue09 on January 28, 2009, 03:48:57 PM
sweet. is it expensive to do?
Title: Re: custom dash
Post by: treepete on January 28, 2009, 07:07:53 PM
would you please consider slapping up a few pics of that glass work? thanks