Dash reworking

This month it's been all about the bodywork and the interior

The dash was stripped back and I was considering how to mount the single-DIN stereo. Someone already had hacked the dash to get a stereo in there but it was very dodgy. I also reviewed the pull switches I got with the car and realised that most of them didn't work properly (the brass contacts inside had worn down too much) so I decided to get some new Narva ones from the local parts place. So given the stereo hack and the fact that the new switches needed different sized holes I decided to cut out the existing centre portion and replace with a custom stainless panel onto which I'd already welded some brackets to suit the stereo.

I also found a modular power socket and double-USB panel from Narva (or Hella, can't remember which) that slotted in nicely under the dash after I cut out a couple of ~30mm dia holes with a carbide cutter.

And since the car didn't come with an ignition switch (and the last guy had attempted to patch the hole with fibreglass) I removed the patch and welded the hole up properly. I'm going to use a column mounted ignition switch (more details on that later)

Finally I gave the dash a prime and a spray with the body colour.

Exising dash

Existing centre portion showing hacked radio slot.

New stainless centre piece with holes for the new switches

View from the back

New switches mounted

New power socket and USB

Patched up ignition switch hole

After initial prime and bogging up the slight imperfections

After the initial topcoat

The glovebox cover

Long time between posts.....

 

My apologies.... it's been 2 months since my last confession post. So what I have I been up to? When we left the action I'd just finished doing the frame for the new tray. And here is the mounting of the fuel tank:

Panel work

So I've started work on the bodywork of the car. First thing was to cut back all the dodgy paint and look for poorly repaired rust, and I found some in the sills:

First I tried to weld up the holes but the parent metal was so thin I decided to cut out the offending part and replace with a custom bent piece of stainless. I also recovered about a cubic foot of dirt from the sill after I cut it out. If nothing else it helps keep the weight down....

Cut out the rusted panel

Rust in the sills

Welded in a replacement from stainless