Custom Dash Discussion/show/tell

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wes beem

wes beem

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Hey guys, I'm currently working on a custom gauge cluster for my 70 Dart. It's not looking pretty right now since today was my first day working on it, but I ran into a little issue. My Gauges are pretty large and there's really no room to mount the Headlight switch and Whiper switch in the factory location. The aftermarket tilt steering collumn I have also doesn't have a key so i have to mount that somewhere too. The car is kind of a restomod so if your a Purist this post will probably just make you mad but I'm looking for ideas on how to set up my dash overall. The cluster is pretty set in stone. Ill be having to fabricate a center panel as the cars getting a modern radio. There will be no heater controls whatsoever as the car wont be running Heat/AC so I have a lot of real-estate to do something cool with.

So I'm looking for ideas and photos of what some of y'all have done to yours. I don't want it to umm... racecarish. It is a street car so I do want a clean finished look to it while tiptoeing the line between classic and modern aesthetics.






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Any room between those lower gaps to mount the two switches?, might need to angle the back part of the switches but it's an idea. Here's a picture of my dash I had made.

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Thank you, just got done getting it all done. I actually have my stereo mounted on top of my console.
 
Problem with the Darts is that the Valiant style cluster is WAY easier to customize. I've even thought of dropping the later "flat" style dash cluster/ frame into mine, not sure to do about ignition switch.
 
Dakota Digital VHX in my 69’ Dart GT. Had to do some cutting and welding, but definitely worth it.

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Matts440 said:
Any room between those lower gaps to mount the two switches?, might need to angle the back part of the switches but it's an idea. Here's a picture of my dash I had made.
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Mine is very similar to Matts440 however wish I'd have cut out a provision for a radio. Guess that could still be done down the road. Seems like these projects are never done.

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^^^ that's so true. I actually mounted a radio on top of my console to keep the dash clean, you have less room then I do lol.

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wes beem said:
Hey guys, I'm currently working on a custom gauge cluster for my 70 Dart. It's not looking pretty right now since today was my first day working on it, but I ran into a little issue. My Gauges are pretty large and there's really no room to mount the Headlight switch and Whiper switch in the factory location. The aftermarket tilt steering collumn I have also doesn't have a key so i have to mount that somewhere too. The car is kind of a restomod so if your a Purist this post will probably just make you mad but I'm looking for ideas on how to set up my dash overall. The cluster is pretty set in stone. Ill be having to fabricate a center panel as the cars getting a modern radio. There will be no heater controls whatsoever as the car wont be running Heat/AC so I have a lot of real-estate to do something cool with.

So I'm looking for ideas and photos of what some of y'all have done to yours. I don't want it to umm... racecarish. It is a street car so I do want a clean finished look to it while tiptoeing the line between classic and modern aesthetics.






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Click to expand...
 
Here's a view of the dash I made. I have 7 gauges, lights, wipers, L&R turn signals, Hi Beam light , parking brake light, oil pressure light, and windshield spray button.
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The head light switch is upper left, wipers lower right, windshield washer button lower left between Volt & Vac, oil & p/b lights above vacuum, L turn-Hi beam- R turn lights centered above tach & speedo. This whole unit slips into space of bezel & instrument cluster. It's upholstered sheet metal, punched holes for gauges, very tight fit. With a little more squeezing, I could possible get five 2" gauges instead of the 4 with the 1 3/4".
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wes beem said:
Hey guys, I'm currently working on a custom gauge cluster for my 70 Dart. It's not looking pretty right now since today was my first day working on it, but I ran into a little issue. My Gauges are pretty large and there's really no room to mount the Headlight switch and Whiper switch in the factory location. The aftermarket tilt steering collumn I have also doesn't have a key so i have to mount that somewhere too. The car is kind of a restomod so if your a Purist this post will probably just make you mad but I'm looking for ideas on how to set up my dash overall. The cluster is pretty set in stone. Ill be having to fabricate a center panel as the cars getting a modern radio. There will be no heater controls whatsoever as the car wont be running Heat/AC so I have a lot of real-estate to do something cool with.

So I'm looking for ideas and photos of what some of y'all have done to yours. I don't want it to umm... racecarish. It is a street car so I do want a clean finished look to it while tiptoeing the line between classic and modern aesthetics.


Obviously a different gauge setup....but maybe do this, cut out a hole and plop your gauges in??



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It's not a Dart but any input is better then no input. Right?
I went with Dakota Digital... Told them what I needed and they were able to make it ALL work...

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