BCM Community

I have been taking my Shorty Prevost on weekend trips, and upgrading the instrument panel as appropriate.  I took out the single din radio and replaced it with a double din Pioneer, that has CD,DVD,Back up camera display, navigation system, XM et al.  Tilted it up and toward the driver and it is still useless as the sun totally wipes out the screen.  I put my DROID phone on the dash in a special holder, and it too is wiped out by the sun.  When I look at the custom Prevosts in ads, they have very elegant dashes.  Does anyone but Custom Instrument Panel make a dash for the Presvost.  I need to get the radio/back up camera/navigation system closer to my eye, and out of the direct sun and would like to get the various switches in locations that make sense.  Also the placement of the present gauges suck.  So any other options but CIP.  I have dealt with Mac before, he runs a good company, but they can be pricey.

chuckd

If I stopped calling my bus shorty, maybe he would stop marking his territory.

I got the dash for our MC-8 from R&M. The instrument panel is slightly recessed. We installed our rear/side view camera in a cabinet above the windshield to eliminate the possibility of any glare problem.  Jack

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi682.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv186%2FOBS-JC%2FOBS%2520II%2520Interior%2FDriversareawithLaptopGPS.jpg&hash=7193381f1564b6d0377bf4b2cfb5dea968bcd9c5)

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi682.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv186%2FOBS-JC%2FOBS%2520II%2520Interior%2FOverheadPanel.jpg&hash=39c9c8addabf14b988404c28d5fc994df1c547e7)

Make your own dash. Use high grade 3/8 or 1/2 inch plywood and shape it and then completey cover it in fiberglass, sand it and fill any inperfections etc. You can also use 1/2 inch foam and do the same. When I get to my dash on my Prevost this is how I am making mine.

Jack,

You are such a showoff!! ;D ;D Go ahead rub it in Mr. attention to detail.

Man if I had a bus as cool as yours I'd put about 25k a year on it. Heck, I'd never want to leave the thing.

You are one awesome fabricator,

Rick

In talking with Jack this weekend, he is putting on the miles - he has run out of tread on the front tires before they were too old.
Way to go Jack!

Jack:  How did you mount your laptop?  Cool instrument panel.  (Can you tell I am old, how many people say cool any more.)

Chuck

Some years ago in BCM, someone had an Eagle with a Volvo truck instrument panel.  It was way cool.

Never did care much for the (RM) eagle dash, but yours is groovey Jack, nice job! :). I decided to restore mine, gauges and all, makes me happy and have room to sink a monitor in it now woo hoo!
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi457.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq292%2Fcwvanhagen%2FRestoreddashandgauges006.jpg&hash=21b7693f3a485e15a9b8c6b8a36b82545bfe5a03)

I left mine stock and just dressed it up a little with some chrome bezels and knobs that I picked up at a local truck chrome shop.

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi582.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss263%2Fboxcarokie%2FDSC00451.jpg&hash=4dc410d0be34e8e88158876696c33ea718cac876)

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi582.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss263%2Fboxcarokie%2FDSC00442.jpg&hash=3e56dc5802ef5fe85bc3931e241216bb9f6e6335)

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi582.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss263%2Fboxcarokie%2FDSC00135.jpg&hash=1d2dafe724a7bb22c4f2da03214ae27144bc1719)

Works for me.

BCO

Do you have the chicken lights to go with that dash???

Here are a few photos of the computer tray.  Jack
Without computer
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi682.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv186%2FOBS-JC%2FOBS%2520II%2520Interior%2FWithoutcomputer.jpg&hash=7fe31902c7c2d4cddb15899ca7aa732854245a5f)

Stored Position (against dash)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi682.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv186%2FOBS-JC%2FOBS%2520II%2520Interior%2FStoredPosition.jpg&hash=4623d4e4c1e8579730b80f5d2321129fa60780e4)

Underside showing arm and swivel assembly
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi682.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv186%2FOBS-JC%2FOBS%2520II%2520Interior%2FUnderside.jpg&hash=b2582269285eb20693f21a8a535037239f2540ab)

Quote from: Len Silva on October 13, 2010, 02:54:13 PM
Do you have the chicken lights to go with that dash???

We saw it first hand at TBR this year! You can never have too many brake lights! Very well done! 8)

Paul

I guess I never posted my reply.

Myself and a friend made a wood dash for my bus.  It was a LOT of work, but certainly doable.  I would like to fiberglass it, but I'm not quite sure how I would be able to open it up to get inside just in case.  I can undo screws right now.  Granted, the original dash didn't open up other than the gauge and switch panels, but I do want to be able to repair things if necessary.

Quote from: Dreamscape on October 13, 2010, 03:50:37 PM
We saw it first hand at TBR this year! You can never have too many brake lights! Very well done! 8)

Paul

Thanks Paul.  The rear shot is without the brake lights, that is just the running lights or markers, the brakes were not engaged for that particular shot.  Ordered four more (LED's) today for the docking lights, overlooked them.  Wonder why they are called docking? 

It isn't a gunboat for cryin' out loud.

BCO

on BCO dash notice the shades on top of gauges to help with sun glare.I have done same with gps and backup screen.I called it a shadow box.

Brian:

Make your dash then on the top flat surface where your gauges etc are to go that you made out of plywood and covered with FG, Cut it out about a 1/4" to 3/8" inside the out edge. Put your holes for gauges into that. Then put 1/2" to 1" blocks around under the lip edge where you cut out but hold those down 2 thicknesses.Now drop in the piece you cut out and secure with screws. Pull the screws now that you know it fits and cover with vinyl or paint or cover with SS etc drop in your gauges and hook them up. once done you can just screw it back in place or take out to repair problems or lights out.

Dave