Some pics of my dash progress.

I know how everyone likes pics so I thought I would attempt to post a few current pics of my dash in progress. Hopefully pics will work. I am trying to replace my old hacked dash with a new hopefully well thought out dash. I am also trying to relocate the gauges so they are easier to view while driving. Bear in mind that this is no where near done and still needs tweaking, cleanup and paint etc....

My old dash looks like this:



And this is the new piece of sheet metal to replace it. Really wish I knew more about working sheet metal. Also wish I had a shear and brake!



Some pics of the gauges:







The speedo and tach will be in there own little pod/dash attached to a rollcage tube that runs below my windshield. They will mount behind the steering wheel angled up for easy viewing. Should have some more pics of that tommorrow. Enjoy!

Kevo

 

Ok, more pics now.

Finished the switch panel. I think I am gonna powder coat the gauge and switch panels.



Finished the rollcage dash pod.









Enjoy!

Kevo

 

Really nice work!!!

 

Very nice. I do like the gauges mounted off the roll bar. Good job.

 

Nice work!

 

Very nice!

 

Nice work Kevo.

 

Whats a defroster? R)

Thanks guys! No mo pics till this weekend tho.

Kevo

 

Got the dash panels back from being powder coated today. They look great, although the powder coating does show off a lot flaws in the metal I hadn't noticed. Oh well its still way nicer than most of whats in the jeep.



Enjoy,
Kevo

 

Started working on some of the wiring. I want these panels to be complete so I can simply hook up a connector and bolt the panel in. Hopefully there will be very little need to stand on my head under the dash. R)

I am using portions of an old wiring harness out of some car that my roomate had kept in a box. Old wiring harnesses are great for finding different colored wires with trace colors, ie. blue with red trace etc.... I am trying to match my existing painless harness as closely as possible. I also went to radio shack and picked up a few molex connectors. I am keeping a record of what pins in the connector go to what and what wire colors are on either side of the connector. This will help out future trouble shooting etc... Also all splices are being tied, soldered and shrunk wraped. The big challenge will be to clean up the existing wiring under the dash once its removed and then make it mate to my panels.

Current pic of dash pod ready to be installed. Still need to find a longer speedo cable.



Enjoy, hopefully I might actually finish this silly project next weekend.
Kevo

 

Very Nice Work!

 

That looks like my old steering Wheel. (rust and all) You didn't buy that column at my garage sale for $1.00 did you. And that wasn't you that broke out the rear passenger door glass as you put it into the back of your car. R) R)

 

Nope! Stock column and 6yr old bought brand new steering wheel. Just started thinking of sanding it down and painting it. Living near the ocean is just killing my vehicles!

Too bad for that other feller.

Kevo

 

Finally making progress! Happy to say the dash went in today!

Went to the shop this morning and disamantled and tore out the old dash.
Who ordered spaghetti?


After a lot of work I got the wiring straightened out and organized. It may not look like it, but most of it is bundled into its seperate groups and the gauge panel connectors are wired.


I have seen a few people use these terminal strips for wiring on their vehicles and never liked it because the terminals are exposed. However I needed a better way to connect all my ground wires and the terminal strip will work excellently. I can even add more grounds in the future for radios or cbs or other gizmos.


Here is the dash installed. I am amazed it fit as well as it did. I never test fit it as I didn't have the time. I was gambling that my measurements would be correct. I did have to do some massaging, but its in.


Tomorrow I just have to assemble everything. Gauge panels are assembled and wired so I just have to bolt them in a hook them up. Then I have to install the ign switch, headlight switch and wiper switch, install and wire the power adapter, and install and wire the rocker switches. Should be another full day of work. Man I need to get out of the shop!

Enjoy,
Kevo

 

Well its basicly finished. I have only the rocker switches to wire up. Would have done that today, but I am still trying to figure out how I want to wire them. It seems kinda odd, I did all that work and yet the dash looks kinda plain. I wanted to clean it up and make it look more functional so I guess thats the way its supposed to be.



I wired everything up and never tested any of it. Hooked up the ground cable to the battery, turned the key and it all worked.



A new windshield is next.



And the CD player works! Seems to work rather well, still need to get it on the trail. I must say its very nice having lockable storage in the jeep. Still need a padded armrest.



Couple more odds and ends on the wiring and it will be officially done. I need to stop thinking of gizmos to add. Still waiting for dash panel stickers to show up.

Enjoy,
Kevo

 

Oh, anyone know where I can get a longer speedo cable? I need one thats about a foot longer. My boss mentioned being able to get a universal cable that you cut to length. Any ideas?

Kevo

 

Lookin real good!

 

The universal kits i've seen come with only the speedo cable not the sheath the cable slides in. A cable for CJ7 with an automatic might work.