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New dash Question.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by bolerpuller, Jan 16, 2015.

  1. Jan 16, 2015
    bolerpuller

    bolerpuller Member

    Great White North
    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2013
    Messages:
    124
    I'm about to order a Custom dash from DD Fab, So I've been looking at a bunch of Early Cj5 Dash Pics online. There's something I've noticed. It seems the space above the steering wheel is almost never used? Most modern cars put the Speedo above the steering wheel and it seems like that spot would be a bit more intuitive? Is there a reason this space is mostly unused?
    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2015
  2. Jan 16, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Apr 28, 2011
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    my guess would be the military , wanted the gauges in middle of dash , and that's where they stayed till the YJ
     
  3. Jan 16, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    7,110
    The way the steering wheel sits, I think it blocks the view of that area.
     
  4. Jan 16, 2015
    Wyo Eeyore

    Wyo Eeyore Member

    Eastern WY next...
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    Feb 22, 2006
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    75
    Heater duct is crowding that area.
     
  5. Jan 16, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Jun 2, 2009
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    2,104
    Military vwhicles were designated to have a driver and a passenger. With the center mounted guages, the passenger could help monitor what was going on.
     
  6. Jan 16, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    Jeeps were designed based on 30's vehicles, back then for whatever reason most had the gauges in the middle. Probably also on mb's/gpw's there wasn't enough room above the steering column for the gauges. Of course the CJ5 is based on the M38A1, there's certainly not enough room above the column for the military guage panel so they probably just went with the same location for the civvy cluster.

    H.
     
  7. Jan 16, 2015
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
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    Dec 4, 2012
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    Jeeps were marketed the world over- and used both left and right hand drive steering wheel positions.
     
  8. Jan 17, 2015
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2007
    Messages:
    743
    Originally the design was converted from the M38A1 and at that point they retooled a new dash and could have done something different since the got away from the M-series gauge panel. The military dash is about 3" lower than the civilian dash so more real estate. On the A1 the glove box is on the LEFT side of the dash also. They 24v multi-function switch is above the column. On my jeep I put a backing plate behind that opening and used WWII switches for my dash panel lights and driving lights. Glove box on the left is totally awesome, it just prevents (or seriously complicates) swinging pedals if that's a route you want to take.

    [​IMG]
     
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