Sneak Preview of Dash
Discussion
I just about finished my dash on the weekend.
I've made a black perspex dash insert and mounted the gauges and head unit in that.
Then I made a MDF face for the dash with a recessed section for the perspex. Then smoothed it all in with bondo and covered it in foam.
The perspex has bolts epoxied to the back for fixing, once the leather cover is on the perspex will be recessed 3mm into the leather. With all the gauges etc mounted in the face, I can pull the whole dash out for access to AC etc.
Next step is to get a new dash cover as the stock one wont fit anymore, this will be tan leather to match the seats.
P.S - head unit is not installed properly yet - thats why its on an angle
I've made a black perspex dash insert and mounted the gauges and head unit in that.
Then I made a MDF face for the dash with a recessed section for the perspex. Then smoothed it all in with bondo and covered it in foam.
The perspex has bolts epoxied to the back for fixing, once the leather cover is on the perspex will be recessed 3mm into the leather. With all the gauges etc mounted in the face, I can pull the whole dash out for access to AC etc.
Next step is to get a new dash cover as the stock one wont fit anymore, this will be tan leather to match the seats.
P.S - head unit is not installed properly yet - thats why its on an angle
Edited by crafty on Tuesday 11th July 01:45
What do all those dials do????
ing hell! Fantastic!
Just out of curiosity,does the pussy-meter work in conjunction with the seat-wetness-meter?I will try and get some snaps of my dash up here for comparison,two very different approaches.It is nice to see that even in Hong Kong,common sense,good taste and colour choice prevail;Black Ultimas rule!
Years ago I had a project and I was going to use Atuometer gauges (a pal brought them over from the States for me and I still have them in my attick!).I did contemplate using them in the Ultima but A. They were not the right configuration and B. I was after a more 'race car' feel and over here things seem to have taken a slightly different direction to that of our freinds across the pond by way of competition dash design trends,however it was nice to see your dash and a 'what might have been' design.Originaly I was not going to have a stereo/CD but have ended up with an all singing and dancing Pioneer Avic1 sat nav ect. affair with rear view camera.I did not want the head unit over to the left hand side of the dash and am releived that it was possible to install in the center in the end.Don't get me wrong Grant,I am not dissing your dash it looks very purposefull,it is just that for me,I don't want to be looking up and down the length of the fascia to read vital signs and operate sat nav ect.
GTWayne said:
Don't get me wrong Grant,I am not dissing your dash it looks very purposefull,it is just that for me,I don't want to be looking up and down the length of the fascia to read vital signs and operate sat nav ect.
No prob.... no offence taken
I did however find out where the voices were coming from and got me one of these to deal with it.
I'm still trying to decide if I like my dash. It's a long way from being finished (no leather or alcantara yet) and I'm not sure if the "engine turned" aluminium looks right in an Ultima. I may end up painting it the same colour as the bodywork (metallic dark blue) or covering the lot in leather. However, I'm very pleased with the ergonomic layout of the instruments and switchgear. Everything is clearly visible and hopefully, will be SVA compliant when I've finished with it. Also, the whole dash can be pulled forward by removing a dozen M5's giving access to all of the switchgear and instruments. No more grovelling under the dash. A long way to go yet and I still have to find somewhere for the rear vision monitor but I'm working on it.
Now, if I can get these images to appear!
[pic][url=http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?ima][img=http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5320][/url][/pic]
[pic][url=http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?ima][img=http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/757/][/url][/pic]
Now, if I can get these images to appear!
[pic][url=http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?ima][img=http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5320][/url][/pic]
[pic][url=http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?ima][img=http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/757/][/url][/pic]
Sorry, it's not doing anything for me.
Far too busy and no contrast between the dash and the gauges.
I know it's not finished yet but it looks like you will need to do further work on the top edge of the dash where SVA will not only be looking for the correct radius they will also expect it to be well padded.
Steve
Far too busy and no contrast between the dash and the gauges.
I know it's not finished yet but it looks like you will need to do further work on the top edge of the dash where SVA will not only be looking for the correct radius they will also expect it to be well padded.
Steve
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