68 cuda dash in the making

[kent spaulding]

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not a big fan of the A body dash panel so I set out to fabricate my own with Auto Meter gauges and Vintage Air climate control system.The lower two piece dash pad creates an extra obstacle to over come but I fill that I have the insert fitting great so it is now time to bolt it to the dash frame. I will be doing a glove box delete in order to make a stash for my MSD box to keep it out the engine compartment. Here's the start I will add more pictures as I progress.

 

[motorhead446]

Looks good!, looking forward to the finished piece.

 

[68383GTS]

What is the far right hole for?

 

[kent spaulding]

All 3 of the lower holes are for AC DIFFUSERS.The 2 large holes are for speedo and tac and the other 4 are temp, oil,volts and fuel. I moved the light and wiper relays down and made a panel/box for my 4 knob climate control on the dash frame. I needed to make some room with all the gauges I had! Gauge pods will be getting TIG welded in tomorrow if I don't over serve myself tonight? I will be making a console to cover my 5 speed Tremec that will also house my CD player, exhaust cut out switch and reverse light indicator. I'll give you all a visual of that shortly.

 

[hemitheus]

Looks a lot like the RMD/Dash setup. Keep us posted. it is a great design

 

[kent spaulding]

I've never heard of them before but now I have to look before I get back to my project.

 

[kent spaulding]

Just a bit of some finish grinding and I'll be ready to weld this all up. I will be keeping it bolted up to dash frame while welding so it doesn't pull every which way. The 3 lower AC diffusers will be welded from the inside of the panel and the rest will get welded out from the front. I'm going to leave the welds instead of flush grinding I believe? The top dash board will be a pebble finish satin black and the lower portion will be argent siver. This was all hand fit, there's no milling maching in my life. This is a ton of work believe me!

 

[65 Dartman]

Nice work!

 

[67cudafb]

I take it you plan on tig welding. Looks like a whole lot of work. Nice job.

 

[kent spaulding]

Yes, I have a Miller Syncro-wave 250 in my garage that loves aluminum. I,ve made my living for the past 30 plus years as a welder fitter. That being said; this is still a very big task even for me. I should have the majority of it welded out by the end of tomorrow if I don't get to many distractions?

 

[kent spaulding]

Thanks for the advice on how to add more pics to original post. I will be drilling the holes for gauges and vents sometime this week and should have the paint on it by week end.

 

[gerahead]

I spotted that Brain Melt bottle in the background of your other thread!No wonder you're worried about overserving yourself :cheers:. L8r

 

[kent spaulding]

Yes sir, nothing get's the creative juices flowing like thee old Brainmelt Premium at extremely low temps! I think I like it:violent1:

 

[inkjunkie]

Looks great