Dash Layout

[jbregar]

Going to have my BC Broncos blank dash (with glove box hole) water jet cut soon, so I've been playing around with layouts. I think this is what I've settled on:



To explain, the gray bars are where the roll cage front legs drop in front of the dash. I'm converting all electrical controls in the dashboard (headlights, wipers, washer, etc. etc. etc.) to Carling Contura V switches of appropriate design so that's why you see a lack of round holes and a bunch of rectangles.

The black is going to be water jet cut 3/16" aluminum powder coated black to make switch panels and surrounds for the AC vents, AC control (vintage Streamline 4-knob), power port and ignition button (I'm doing keyless RFID ignition I think). They'll be screwed into the dash from behind so there shouldn't be any screws visible.

The instrument cluster will be a Dakota VHX in anodized aluminum finish. All dash lights will be red. I'll probably design (and have water jetted) a custom matching bezel for the gauge cluster that hides those screws and use a NicksTrix billet steering wheel filler panel powder coated black.

Dash will be body color (right now a toss up between Blazing Copper and Jeep Rescue Green).

Whaddya think?

[Dukietown]

it bothers me that there isn't a 4th ac vent... symmetry I guess
It's going to look really sharp when you're done! Those Dakota guages are killer and with the Carling switches it's going to look like a fighter cockpit or something. Can't wait to see it finished!

[RJLougee]

Put a set of speakers at the outside edges, behind the roll cage legs. Some nice Polk Audio marine grade, like the DB501 (5") fit, but need @1/2" trimmed off the sides of the cover to fit between the glove box hole and side. Really just the glove box side needs trimming.
Joe

[Gunnibronco]

Put a set of speakers at the outside edges, behind the roll cage legs. Some nice Polk Audio marine grade, like the DB501 (5") fit, but need @1/2" trimmed off the sides of the cover to fit between the glove box hole and side. Really just the glove box side needs trimming.
Joe

I have an extra dash and was going to cut the center speaker "grill" out of both, and install them behind the roll cage, move the glove box, and either move or replace the speedo w/a smaller one. All the accs gauges are obsolete, except the gas. I haven't really decided about switches, etc, probably will stick with stock, except upgrade to intermittent wipers. I'm hoping to build the new dash and install it when I rewire. Also, mount the EFI ECU & fuse boxes better, etc.

[jbregar]

The biggest speakers I could fit in the edges would be 4". I think I'd rather just put them in the doors and use 5.25".

Anyone have the EXACT diameter of the stock gauge hole? My stock dash is kinda bent up so I don't trust the measurements.

[jbregar]

And the Vintage kit I have only has three dash vent outlets. While I could do a splitter for 4, it seems silly.

Besides, I (the driver) deserve 2x more vents than the passenger. :)

[akaFrankCastle]

Exactly 6.5". Maybe .001 of a hair smaller.

[Entourage]

Punisher - that is sweet that the speedo is 6.5". The same speaker in a 6.5" version will sound better than a 5.25" speaker - physics.

[jbregar]

Thank you sir.

[jbregar]

Okay... new idea because water jetting the dashboard was sounding like a bit of a pain in the butt and I wanted something that has a bit more dimension to it than stuff mounted to steel...



The black will be 1/4" water jet cut aluminum routed around the edge to look like it was milled and then powder coated a crinkle black. Orange is the dash metal. Exposed hex-head button cap screws countersunk into the bezels. Carling switches for everything. Dakota VHX gauges. Custom-made glove box door to match.

Insets on the sides are to clear the roll bar.

Thoughts?

[Justin]

Wicked. I like that lots.

[Booger]

That looks sweet. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.