My old dash is all fucked up. What I really want to do is just get some aluminum sheets of metal and rivet or tig wield them together. For the whole front. I have seen some pics of people doing this to the center column that comes down. I plan on making the passenger side all open (no glove box or anything) I also plan on not having a center column coming down, just flat all across. If you guys have pics of some cool dashes please let me know. What do you think of this.

 

well i dont want to burst any bubbles here ..but have you considered what it might feel like to crash your face into an all aluminum dash? even at 40 mph its gonna really suck...i think that most of the pics ive seen of people with all metal dash conversions are doing it for race situations...and have considered this....and have the appropriate harnesses and such...im not trying to be a rag...but seriously..you are just using this to be a daily driver? even if you wear your seatbelt..i think this might be asking for trouble...


go chiefs...6-0... raiders will die on monday!!

 

well, it depends, because more than likely toud hit your head on the steering wheel, so I dont think that would be much of a problem, but the passenger side would suck

 

That's a good point! Who would want thier women to
have rivet scars on her face. I think this would be for
show only and not practical, or safe as sreet driving.
But if you insist, make it fare and put your center column
under the steering wheel.

 

Your head is like a mile away from the dash in these cars. Most dash boards have metal frames with hard plastic and vinyl anyway. Also, think about the old cars. They had metal dashes w/o any padding. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it

 

I plan on making my dash out of fiberglass in a while, and after repeated simulation*, I don't think my head, or the passanger's head will hit the dash (especially since i'm bring the passanger side foward a few inches).

*repeated simulation involved reaching around for those friggin' bolts when i replaced the bushings in the shifter.

 

remember to post pics when you make it
and take pics at the process if u have time

 

its the suns reflection on the dash that would kill me....plus i bet that would bounce that heat all over the cabin...i would'nt do it to my daily driver....

course thats just me....
i guess if it was dull aluminum it wouldnt reflect too bad...
anyone have problems like that?

 

If you look at how dashes are made they are supposed to crack apart when your head hits them because in the past (those glorious old cars), would cut your head OFF or mangle you severely in accidents, there is a reason that the stuff is thin. Even the rear view mirror is a breakaway, you can yank it off and put it right back on by clipping the screw into the metal spring again.
think about how much sleep you lose if you are dead.