65 Dart Wagon Conversion to a Sedan Delivery
As I mentioned in Post 61 I've been working on the dash. I had initially placed the non-Mopar idiot lights just to the right of the instrument cluster but found that there's just not enough room on the factory metal frame or in the instrument cluster for my non-Mopar idiot lights, my Power Rear Window switch, my pair of heated Seat switches and my AM/FM radio that I had converted to 4 speaker stereo.
Ulf suggested building a console under the dash (but the AC vent box will go there) and friend FWDLKFrank suggested buy one of those pre-made radio housings and install it under the AC vents leaving plenty of room in the dash for all my doodads. What I came up with is a 1 inch tall wedge-shaped mini-console under the dash that doesn't interfere with the AC vent box. 2 of my non-Mopar idiot lights (Fasten Seat Belts and Door Ajar) and both of my heated seat switches would easily fit there. I did cut out under the dash so there would be plenty of room for the switches and wiring.
After cutting out the metal where the idiot lights USED to be, a quick patch gave a perfect spot for the Power Rear Window switch. I still wanted an oil pressure idiot light as I figure a bright red light popping on in case of oil pressure failure catches the eye quickly should one not see the oil pressure gauge. I solved this problem by using a different non-Mopar idiot light that I had bought some time ago. The perfect place for the oil light was where the factory high beam indicator used to be on the 66 Barracuda dash. As I am using a Mirada floor shift steering column with key, I needed to fill the Barracuda ignition switch hole with something. I solved that problem by installing the cigarette lighter in the hole. I have a space to the right of the radio that I need to fill to make that area look symetrical with the window switch and radio. I will probably add another cigarette lighter there and add one of those 12 volt caps from a late model vehicle to the lighter receptacle on the instrument cluster. Everything fits and doesn't look (IMO) too bad.
You can also see the large cut-out on top of the dash. This is for my left dash speaker from my 4 speaker stereo radio.