67 Rallye Dash Conversion-Internal bracing/brackets

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Billybryson54

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Good morning everyone. I'm in the process of taking a spare 67 barracuda standard dash frame and converting it into a Rallye Non-AC dash that will eventually go into my 73 Dart(Thanks to everyone who has contributed help and/or parts for this project). I went with the 67 due to the Knob-style radio that I already have, and because that was what parts I had access to at the time. I've heard talk before that in Rallye dashes, there are extra braces and plates to stiffen up the cluster? And one or more additional pieces that's used for the climate controller and/or Radio? None of my searching has really given me anything definitive and I'm curious "What" is in the dash, and if those pieces can be acquired in the aftermarket. If not, what are they actually called so that maybe I can search around and find used ones. Thank you!
 
Billybryson54 said:
Good morning everyone. I'm in the process of taking a spare 67 barracuda standard dash frame and converting it into a Rallye Non-AC dash that will eventually go into my 73 Dart(Thanks to everyone who has contributed help and/or parts for this project). I went with the 67 due to the Knob-style radio that I already have, and because that was what parts I had access to at the time. I've heard talk before that in Rallye dashes, there are extra braces and plates to stiffen up the cluster? And one or more additional pieces that's used for the climate controller and/or Radio? None of my searching has really given me anything definitive and I'm curious "What" is in the dash, and if those pieces can be acquired in the aftermarket. If not, what are they actually called so that maybe I can search around and find used ones. Thank you!
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Are you swapping the metal dash frame and the instrument cluster and bezel from the 67 Barracuda?
 
67-70 rally dash cluster the heater control mount is cast into the rallye cluster gage housing. Should be no issues there. Looks like the only thing you need to do is fill in the ignition switch hole in the 67 rallye dash, and move your ViN plate to the 73 dash. The 67 only glove box door has a notorious weak spring holding it shut. On hard acceleration they like to fly open. Try to find a locking glove box knob for the 67 glove box door. The top end of the rallye cluster bezel has a flat steel sheet that attaches to the bezel to allow it to be screwed into the dash frame at the top.

Hope this helps
Matt
 
moparmat2000 said:
67-70 rally dash cluster the heater control mount is cast into the rallye cluster gage housing. Should be no issues there. Looks like the only thing you need to do is fill in the ignition switch hole in the 67 rallye dash, and move your ViN plate to the 73 dash. The 67 only glove box door has a notorious weak spring holding it shut. On hard acceleration they like to fly open. Try to find a locking glove box knob for the 67 glove box door. The top end of the rallye cluster bezel has a flat steel sheet that attaches to the bezel to allow it to be screwed into the dash frame at the top.

Hope this helps
Matt
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That flat steel sheet is partly what I'm referring to. I don't know what it's properly identified as, or where to obtain it if I were to try and start searching for one

I am Indeed swapping the whole 67 dash frame, bezel and cluster. Still aquiring parts, just starting the metal work for now. I was planning on re using my original radio but I don't have the climate controller yet. I do see where the radio and climate controller mount in the frame itself, I just didn't know if those were the ONLY mounts for those pieces. I thought I had remembered reading somewhere there was a different support bracket on the back of the radio area but maybe that was on a different year or model? Nothing in my current dash in the car has been disassembled yet either, for what it's worth.

And yes, I agree that swapping the whole dash frame would be way easier but unfortunately that's not in the cards for me, both due to cost and availability. And besides, I like the challenge of trying to fab this up myself.
 
Yes there is a metal support piece that is on rally dashes. It attaches to the top of plastic inst bezel.
 
Its flat steel with holes in it. Maybe somebody has a spare to trace out on paper they can send you as a template, and you can make your own out some thin flat sheet steel. I know that's what I would do.
 
Hi Matt, good to see you post! Not that it matters, but there is an embossed "lip" to it. But yeah, trace it out n go.
moparmat2000 said:
Its flat steel with holes in it. Maybe somebody has a spare to trace out on paper they can send you as a template, and you can make your own out some thin flat sheet steel. I know that's what I would do.
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Can you post pics of what you have?

If you have a complete metal dash frame , its not nearly as hard and as expensive as you may think.

Here's what the metal frame should look like. (this is my dash before reassembly )
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Here is my dash, assembled and ready to install.



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Let me know if I can help further.

Cheers!!
 
My apologies everyone, I completely misspoke on my original post. The dash I have is a 67 DART dash, not a Barracuda. (I hadn't had coffee yet, my brain was a mess) The Barracuda one I have is a separate project....ANYWAY, with that cleared up and me feeling slightly dense, here's a few photos of what I have to start with. I haven't actually started cutting into it yet, I've been spending the last few evenings with a template that another member graciously provided, and approximating my cut lines before I go to town on the thing. As Super-Cuda said, it doesn't appear that it will be bad at all aside from shifting the radio over to the passenger side slightly. Even that wont be tough.

Regarding that upper piece of metal with the slight offset in it, would anyone be able to provide the measurements for it? A part of this project for me was to practice my metal work and fabrication skills. They are about average at best and I certainly need to improve. I figure this frame would give me the chance to do so.

I appreciate everyone's input here. Thank you
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Get a 69 cuda dash frame, and fill in the ignition key hole. The glovebox button and latch actually lock the door shut. 67 is a 1 year only glove box door and hinges. Under hard acceleration it will flop open

69 dash already has the holes in the right spot to move your vin tag.

68 cuda dash frame is no bueno since it has 1 year only lower crash pads, upper dash pad, and a 1 year only ashtray.

69 cuda frame should not be too hard to get. Use the 67 bezel for the round radio knobs. You can always tack weld sheetmetal and cut out for the radio knob setup, or cut it off the dart dash and graft it in.

This would be the above all time easiest way to do this. Start with something closer to what you need.

Just my .02
Matt

I may actually have a spare 69 cuda dash frame, and glove box door. I need to look in my loft. If you are not a welder, I could fabricate and weld in the pieces needed.

I may be able to fab up that upper stiffener panel, if I have one on hand in my junque to copy.

Send me a PM if interested
 
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Not trying to discourage, but I've read it's a LOT of work and best to have an example/template to work off of.
Pick your battles....and there's enough of those with these 50+ yr old cars....
 
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