Boats For Sale:
Reverse Engineered Dash Panel |
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Jim_In_Houston 
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Joined: September-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1120 |
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 Topic: Reverse Engineered Dash PanelPosted: November-13-2007 at 7:28pm |
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Well I just couldn't stand it any longer. My dash on the 68 was looking so bad.... The factory made it out of cardboard sandwiched between vinyl wood grained paneling turned inside-out and engraved with their logo, believe it or not.
I took it apart, measured, and drew it up. A local water-jet cutting shop is cutting one out of 1/4" marine grade aluminum. Then it's off to the powder coater. Here is a link to the drawing with dimensions. Let me know if you want the AutoCad file and I will upload it. 1968 Mustang Dash |
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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TRBenj
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Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21169 |
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Posted: November-13-2007 at 7:50pm |
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Jim, looks great. I wouldnt mind having the ACad file since you went through all the trouble. If you cant upload it, send it to TRBenj@gmail.com if you dont mind.
Whats the height of the 3/8" and 1/2" holes, by the way? Edit: I never noticed this before, but it appears there was a change to the dash panel in mid-'68. Jim's would be the later (68-70) panel. 
Early '68: 
The dash on your '66 is different, right Jim? |
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Barracuda
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Joined: November-17-2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 998 |
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Posted: November-13-2007 at 7:53pm |
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Jim- Nice drawing! The auto cad file will be a nice addition to the reference section.
Can you email it to Keith? -Brad |
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jbear
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Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Posted: November-14-2007 at 2:24am |
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Tim: You sure can put up the coolest stuff here....don't you ever have to do any real work?
john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: November-14-2007 at 3:04pm |
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Jim, It sounds like a great project. The layout would be a fantastic addition to the ref. section.
The later dash panels were not paper but rather a thermally fused melamine resin decorative paper (wood grain) on top of MDF (medium density fiberboard). The edges and the routed engraved lettering were hot wax/resin sealed. If this wax/resin fails then the MDF will puff up from water moisture and look pretty close to brown kraft wrapping paper!! One of the first manufacturers was Panolam and they started in 1945. I don't know if CC used their product or not because by the 60's there were plenty of people making it. The basic panel and the process has evolved over the years into many directions but the most common today is laminate flooring. Tim, I think the 66 would have the gauges mounted directly in the fiberglass dash? |
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Jim_In_Houston
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Posted: November-14-2007 at 11:46pm |
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TRBenj, Opps, I'll add the vertical dimensions of the holes to the drawing. The center of the switch holes to the bottom edge of the panel is 7/8". The vert distance between the centers of the switch holes and the fuse holder holes is 1-1/2". Don't bank on these - I need to pull up the drawing and double check. Yep, my '66 looks like the lower pic in your post.
Barracuda, good idea. I'll email it to Keith after I assemble the new panel and make sure the measurements work. Sir 8122pbrainard, your knowledge is exceeding all expectations. You nailed it. Your description is exactly how my dash is made. I just could not identify the components. And, it is puffing out in spots - it looks horrible. I have noticed in pics that some 66s do have the gauges mounted in the dash - mine is not that way. Jbear, work? -Jim |
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Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang
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jbear
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Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Posted: November-15-2007 at 1:24am |
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Jim: You guys are all on in the afternoons...having fun here...while I am working.
john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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