Author Topic: How do you build your dash?  (Read 7866 times)

Offline burdar

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #15 on: December 26, 2013 - 09:15:03 AM »
I built a stand for my dash but it was too awkward to use for reassembly.  It was much easier to put a blanket on a table and assemble the dash while it was laying upside down.  I didn't want it sitting on the dash pad for a long period of time so I used the stand I built as a storage device.  I'm going to use it to store the Dart's dash assembly as well.  All I need to do is mount a 2x4 on the inside of the upright pieces for the Dart's dash frame to fit.


I suggest looking at the finish of your dash frame very closely.  My 73 was NOT textured.  SEM Trim Black was a perfect match to the original finish.  My Dart on the other hand DOES have a textured suede finish...completely different then the Challenger.  Put it back the way you find it...don't just do something because other people say it's correct. :2cents:





Offline anlauto

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2013 - 09:25:32 AM »
Quote
I suggest looking at the finish of your dash frame very closely.  My 73 was NOT textured.  SEM Trim Black was a perfect match to the original finish.  ....  Put it back the way you find it...don't just do something because other people say it's correct.

Ahhhhh....No truely words have ever been said :worshippy

Most 71+ dashes I've done have very little if any at all texture. You can achieve a fine texture be stepping back a bit with the spray and giving it a more "dry" final coat. :2cents:

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Offline Tropicalcats

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #17 on: December 26, 2013 - 12:28:45 PM »
 :wave: :wave:
I put it in my blast cabinet and blasted it with aluminum oxide.

That's a good size cabinet.
1970 Challenger R/T 383  Matching#s JS23N0E under construction. It's Plum Crazy
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Offline anlauto

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #18 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:11:19 PM »
:wave: :wave:
That's a good size cabinet.

 :scared: That's what I was thinking...Sweeeeet :drool:
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Offline DODGE1933

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:24:24 PM »
Cody,
I seen where you used clamps on the rally dash face. Do you use some sort of adhesive or just rely on the tabs? I am getting ready to work on my dash soon. Your pictures and comments come at just the right time for me too.

dodge1933

Offline burdar

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #20 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:35:06 PM »
Originally, the woodgrain pieces were glued to a metal backing.  The backing pieces have the retaining tabs on them.  Some of the repop woodgrain pieces don't come with the baking plates...you have to reuse your original ones.
« Last Edit: December 26, 2013 - 01:37:19 PM by burdar »

Offline DODGE1933

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #21 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:41:55 PM »
Thank you Burdar, unfortunately I have all ready purchased the new panels as mine were in very bad shape. I will just have to do the best I can.

dodge1933

Offline burdar

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #22 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:44:23 PM »
Just pull the original woodgrain off of the backing plates.  I used Gorilla Glue to attach my new woodgrain.

Offline Cuda Cody

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #23 on: December 26, 2013 - 01:51:18 PM »
Wish I had a blast cabinet large enough to hold a dash.

My father was a welder and told me when I first bought a blast cabinet to get one that accesses from two places (hinge up and door on the side) so I could blast long things like dashes and axle housings.  Put half in the cabinet and tape a garbage bag over the side door that the part hangs out so none of the media gets out.  Basically you blast half at a time.  Works great for long items.


Yes, the clamps are to hold the new metal wood grain in place while the glue set.


:scared: That's what I was thinking...Sweeeeet :drool:
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Offline 67vertman

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #24 on: December 26, 2013 - 05:35:50 PM »
Dash removal sequence.......borrowed from someone else on here..... :bigsmile:  I am planning on doing mine in the near future.

1)Open Hood
2)Remove four plugged wire harnesses from bulk head
3)Remove two nuts holding bulkhead in place
4)Open doors
5)Remove A piller trim and associated trim
6)Remove Kick Panels and associated trim
7)Unplug both door jamb light switches
8)Unplug E Brake warning wire
9)Unplug tail light harness
10)Unplug dimmer Switch
11)Reach up and unplug heater box
12)Unplug console light
13)Disconnect antenna
14)At the heater control, disconnect both heater cables
15)Unplug both steering coloumn harnesses
16)Unplug brake pedal switch, both wires
17)Undo both vent cables and let them hang
18)Remove 3 steering column bolts at firewall
19)Remove to nuts on steering column at the dash
20)Lower column and allow to hang
21)Remove 4 bolts at windshield using a 1/4 drive flex
22)Remove 2 bolts at door pillars
23)Prepare for a heavy dash to fall on your lap
24)Yell to wife for help
25) Have a cold beer, you're done

See 25 easy steps....It sounds like a lot, but with the dash assembly out and on the bench you can do a hundred things that you can't easily do in the car....Most important: INSPECT ALL THE WIRING 



Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #25 on: December 26, 2013 - 06:44:37 PM »
I'd like to see it.

It appears that I may have copied Burdar's stand. Though I thought mine made it quite easy to assemble the dash. I just
ran a bolt and nut through each of the side dash holes to the 2x4. Works just like a rotisserie for me.
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline Tropicalcats

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #26 on: December 27, 2013 - 10:12:06 AM »
Glad to see this post this will be my next major project. Just got my dash back from Just Dashes and it looks great. Waiting on the instrument cluster,switches and bezels. I guess my first step is to prep the frame and than start reassembly when all the pieces are back.
Does anybody have a sequence to rebuild the dash?
1970 Challenger R/T 383  Matching#s JS23N0E under construction. It's Plum Crazy
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Offline anlauto

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #27 on: December 27, 2013 - 10:14:55 AM »
I like putting the pad on first :2cents:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline filmsurgeon

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #28 on: December 29, 2013 - 06:32:08 PM »
Been working on my dash for a while now.  Pretty much got everything taken care of as far as individual components.  Now it's time for me to paint the frame and reassemble the dash.  I put together this make-shift stand yesterday with some scrap lumber and a couple of brackets I had laying around.  I can pivot the frame (forward and back) on the brackets, but can't get a full 360 degree rotation.  After painting, I'll move the setup indoors, but before assembly, I'll secure a more stable brace to the rear of the frame.
1970 Challenger Convertible (JH27N0B); Resto-Mod; 605 HP, 412cid Small Block; Holley 750CFM Carburetor; A-833 23-spline 4-SPD; A-body 8.75 rear-end w/3.55 gears; 3" mini-tub; leaf spring relocation kit with split-leaf mono and Caltracs; American Racing AR500 Wheels, Rears = 15x10 (5.5" BS) with 315/60-15 BFG Comp T/A Drag Radials; Fronts = 15x7 (3.5" BS) with 215/70-15 BFG Radial T/A Radials.

Offline PlumCrazyRTSE

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Re: How do you build your dash?
« Reply #29 on: December 31, 2013 - 12:25:24 AM »
Thanks for all this great info.  I'm completely redoing my interior, so I'll be pulling my dash out within the next couple days.
1970 Challenger R/T SE, 440 Six Pack, Super Track Pak, FC7 Plum Crazy Purple
1970 Challenger R/T SE, 440 Six Pack, Super Track Pak, FE5 Bright Red