Dash Replacement

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Bluescrawler

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Fort Collins CO
I am replacing the old instrument cluster on my 1975 Duster with a custom dash insert loaded with Autometer gauges and I have run into something I did not expect. For those of you who have installed after-market dash inserts, like the ones Rocky Mountain Dash sells; Have you ever run into this:

I pulled the dash out last weekend and began cleaning things up and doing some measuring. When I ran a straight edge down the crease to check if everything was lined up I found that the notch on the drivers side was pushed in about a 1/2". The same straight edge when resting in the notch below the temperature cutout and passing across the glove box blank sat neatly in the notch on the passenger side (see attached drawing).

This is my first Mopar, my son and I building it together, and I don't know if this is the way it was designed or if maybe the dash got pushed in somehow (accident or something??). Can anyone confirm for me that the dash should be straight across or have a bend??

Thanks in advance

Joe O
Fort Collins, CO

dash.jpg
 
Just to clarify; I did not remove the whole dash... just the instrument cluster and trim to get to the bard dash substructure.

Joe O
 
Interesting. I've got 2 rallye dash housings out but I'd need a ladder to pull a straight edge on them and they are cut out difeerent anyway.
Never bithered to check such since the things are practically cut in two at the steering column and will flex about while out of the car.
 
Are they just screwed in or will I have to do some grinding to get it out of the car? I have to replace the windshield anyway (cracked) so I think I'll just take the windshield out so I can get to the dash, remove the dash and straighten it up and then just reinstall it.

Joe
 
Once the window is out, you can access the nuts along the top/front by the winshield.

Grant
 
Personally, unless you know for a fact it's been damaged (doubt that it has), I wouldn't worry about it. There are a number of things that aren't symetrical in these cars by design.

The RMD won't sit perfectly flush in the opening anyway. There will be places where there is a bigger gap than others (the corners particularly), but once installed it won't be noticeable. You need to get your aftermarket dash before beating on the frame or you'll create a lot of unnecessary work for yourself.

And Redfish is right. Once the frame is out and the pad is off, it kind of turns into a wet noodle.
 
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