Dash Carrier Panel Cut Out plans
I'll throw out an idea for you so here's how I did mine. There's not much available for the 60's cars unless you want to shell out big money for a Peak Dash. Since you have a '73, you at least have the option of buying an insert for your car if you need to. Since I was changing all my gauges, I decided I could make my own. Starting with a piece of 22 guage flat sheet metal, I put a 90 degree brake in it. I hand bent the ends and then cut them to match the dash angle.
Then I added some 1/8" rolled bar around the outside. I did these in small sections to get all the angles correct and to assure that the rolled bar was flush with the insert faces on the top and sides. This part of it took some time for me to get it the way I wanted it.
Rolled bar welded in place and checking fitment.
All edged and surfaces filled and smoothed.
Then painted and installed.
Total cost was about $25 for the metal and $7 for paint. Although this was not expensive to make, it took me quite a bit of time all said and done considering how small of a part it is. But I was being very picky about how everything looked making sure there were no flaws. Overall I'm happy with the results and I can say that I hand made it. There's always some pride in that.
I'll throw out an idea for you so here's how I did mine. There's not much available for the 60's cars unless you want to shell out big money for a Peak Dash. Since you have a '73, you at least have the option of buying an insert for your car if you need to. Since I was changing all my gauges, I decided I could make my own. Starting with a piece of 22 guage flat sheet metal, I put a 90 degree brake in it. I hand bent the ends and then cut them to match the dash angle.
Then I added some 1/8" rolled bar around the outside. I did these in small sections to get all the angles correct and to assure that the rolled bar was flush with the insert faces on the top and sides. This part of it took some time for me to get it the way I wanted it.
Rolled bar welded in place and checking fitment.
All edged and surfaces filled and smoothed.
Then painted and installed.
Total cost was about $25 for the metal and $7 for paint. Although this was not expensive to make, it took me quite a bit of time all said and done considering how small of a part it is. But I was being very picky about how everything looked making sure there were no flaws. Overall I'm happy with the results and I can say that I hand made it. There's always some pride in that.
