Planning a New Dash

Melbo · November 13, 2009, 10:20:34 AM

I am working on a plan for my new dash. I want to have it accessable from the top so I can change light bulbs etc with out have to remove the steering wheel or crawl up underneath the dash. So I made round wood circles to represent the guages and placed them on carboard to be sure they would be in the right position for proper viewing while driving. Then I made a cardboard plan and from there made a sheetmetal plan. When I get to the final lay out it will go on blue plexiglas so I can have my dash lights underneath and will be able to read the switch labels while driving at night. As with any project like this I am trying to think of everything ahead of tearing into the dash such as having the wiring diagrams done and wiring harness made ahead of time etc. I am attaching some pictures of my progress however any suggestions or tips on what to watch out for will be greatly appreciated.

Melbo

Just Dallas · November 13, 2009, 10:51:22 AM

Removed

Melbo · November 13, 2009, 10:59:12 AM

Thank You Dallas

I don't know if it was serendipity or what but I did put all my warning lights oil pressure and tach on the left. Those are the ones I keep an eye on -- I may move my temp gauge over there too but I have had no problem with heat since I went to the four stroke.

Melbo

Len Silva · November 13, 2009, 11:32:58 AM

I would rank air pressure right up there with the other essential gauges.

I would also be sure to use relays for anything that is controlled by a switch on the dash. That way you can use 16 ga wire for everything, keeping the bundles smaller and more flexible.

It's always a problem with dash panels that you pull out to work on, that the harness is stiff and everything wants to get disconnected as you move it. Be sure that the harness is securely fastened to the panel itself so no stress is put on the connections or instruments as it is moved around.

bevans6 · November 13, 2009, 12:57:54 PM

I would say air pressure and warning lights are the keys. Get them and the volt meter up front and center. The rest don't matter as much.My most modern race car has warning lights for everything - shift light, oil, temp, etc, they only time you get to see actual data is when you are in the pits or looking at the data after the session. Not to say you shouldn't have gauges too - just that I have gone over to the dark side of warning lights as a good thing...

Brian

PP · November 13, 2009, 03:47:50 PM

How about 'Dummy Lights' to bring your attention to the guages? I like that idea. I didn't build my dash, but everytime I get behind it I am frustrated by the location of the temp and oil pressure guages-they are in a place on the left hand side that is blocked from view by the steering wheel itself, unless you cock your head to the side

Melbo · November 13, 2009, 03:58:13 PM

As I began to plan this I took the old dash out and made a temp dash and on the temp I buried the oil pressure and water temp and all the lights where I couldn't see them readily. That is the reason that I made up the template and laid it out with the steering wheel in it's normal position. I also am going to run almost (not everything but almost) with 12 volts and my bus is 24 volt system so relays will be the order of the day for powering stuff up. The six warning lites I put in plain site are low oil -- low water-- hot engine These three will be red and the orange are not gen -- low air -- and low air tag. Thanks for the tips so far.

Melbo