Dash Repair

I need to fix the buggered up radio hole in my 66 dash. I think one of those trick bezels won't work as the hole is pretty big and extends past the bottom edge.

Has anyone used one of the patch panels from our board vendor, or other vendors? How happy are you with the metal, etc..

I guess it would be better to use a section from a donor dash maybe?

Anyone have a dash section for sale?

Any advice???

 

Bob,

Post up a photo so we can see what you are needing fixed.

My ole truck had a butchered radio opening, and a butchered glove box door. I swapped in a Camaro dash... I can't leave stuff alone, it's hotroditis.

 

Sorry about that. Here we go. I thought that maybe one of them billet bezels would cover the mess but, well, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

What's the theme of your truck? By that I mean are you wanting the end result to look bone stock, or just not to look butchered up?

I would think as long as you aren't wanting a stock look you could indeed make a bezel to cover the opening. You'de still need to add a bit of body filler though to the lower portion of the dash.

 

I could go either way so long as it didnt look shtupit as the wife would say. Lol

I am keeping all options but the bezel would not require any welding and would less invasive I would think..

 

I am thinking a bezel that fits the outside of the dash that bolts though from the back (no visible screws on the front), via another bezel on the back of the dash, would work quite well.

 

You have my interest...do you need my shipping address? Lol

 

I toyed around a bit today making a CAD model of a repair plate.



I stopped working with the CAD model since I don't have any actual dimensions.

There are a number of ways this could be attached. For instance you could use some stainless button head screws in each corner. I figured 1/8" aluminum might work well, you could even give it an engine turned look. Just kind of depends on what the "look" is you are after.

Hope that helps!

John

 

mad skills John. I sent you a PM.

 

John, I fooled around with the dash some more today. Here is how the 'cage' fits in the hole.


And here it is with the black plastic trim.


As you can see, it doesnt need very much of a repair. Only a little on the left side and top and then the bottom is the worst spot.

 

Post up the dimensions of the cage, and of the bezel. Seems like you could make a repair plate that would hang down at the bottom that would cover up the hole and bolt thru the at the sides.

 

Cage is 7 1/8 x 2 1/16

Bezel is 7 3/8 x 2 1/4

 

Something like this?

 

wholly crap, yeah, something EXACTLY LIKE that but i'm not sure i have enough 'meat' for those screws.

 

Ok, here is my attempt at this bezel.

I picked up a 5x10 piece of aluminum for five bux at my local reynolds true value. New set of jig saw blades for three more bux and brought it home.

I made a rough template out of carboard and covered the aluminum with blue painters tape. Drilled some holes to get me started. The hardest part is keeping your cuts straight. If i had given it more thought, i would have made a jig for it or something. I did lock the aluminum down with c clamps. Lots of test fitting and filing down by hand.

If i could change something, i would have made it out of thicker stock because it really needs to be thicker at the top and taper down due to the contours in the dash but for now, problem solved.

Thanks to Lakeroadster for all the advice.

What filler do you guys recommend to do some blending in my repair area??

 

Lookin' good Bob!

 

well, I owe you a current picture with the head unit installed and everything looking good or at least good enough! LOL. The paint matched pretty good and the bracket I made is hardly visible in the picture but it's there!

Here it is.

 

Excellent ....

 

I Say

It looks very good indeed ! .

 

thanks gents.