Moving The Dash Switches

Had a good day yesterday...I actually got to work on my van for the better part of the entire day.

I have never been comfortable with the ignition switch right next to the door/open window...so I moved it, the hazard lights switch, and the "Low Brake Indicator" light.



After I had them all test fitted I filled in their old holes in the dash...



Here is the end result...



My next "dash project" is to install this Dakota Digital instrument cluster...



While I was tinkering I test fitted the high back Travco camper seats I found...



Small steps for a big project!

Looks great!!! Can't wait to see that dash in there

very nice !

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE ABOUT THE KEY LOCATION, Also love the seats and the gauges can you give me more info on the gaudes ??? thanks...

I have been playing with the idea of Dakota Digital [DD] gauges for a while. Here is the link to their web page:

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm

I am replacing the entire wiring harness with a 21 circuit EZWire Harness, and I didn't want to run a ton-o-wires to the dash. DD runs a single RJ45 [a simple computer network cable] from their cluster to their On-board Control Module, what I call the "brain box" [bb]. I plan to mount the new fuse box and bb within a console in front of the doghouse. Then all I have to do is run a simple Cat6 network cable from the bb to the cluster, easy peasy lemon squeezy!

At first I was going to put in Auto Meter NV gauges. After I added up the cost of all the gauges, adapters and sensors I found the DD gauges to be around the same price.

I also like the way they look at night  

I'll keep up this post with how they work out...

Cool thanks..did you look in to anything digital ??? When it coms to wiring gauges  to somthing totaly different and I have to find out how to wire it then  my skills are limited. unless it's documented somewhere.  

Yea, I did look at the digital gauges, I'm just not into them, especially for my van. I still like the analog gauges.

I will do my best to document/photograph everything I do for the group.

So, how did you cut the holes? The top hole (ignition switch hole, I think) is not round. Part of it is then it has the flat spot.
I'd like to move my heater controls out of the hokey plastic panel to the dash. Same problem. All the holes I drill are round. I just can't seem to drill half a hole. What is your secret?

I do it the old school way.

I trace the opening on a piece of paper, then cut the pattern on the paper out on an old kitchen cutting board. I then trace the pattern with a Sharpie onto the dash where I'm going to put the hole.

Next I take a small drill bit, say 1/4" or so, and drill a series of holes on the inside of the traced line, each hole very close to the one before, until I have a series of small holes all the way around the traced line [a very sharp drill bit is important]. Once this is done I take a carbide grinding bit and cut/grind the small sections of metal between each hole. This 'cuts' the center part out.

Once this is done I take files and clean the hole until the gauge/switch/indicator light fits in the hole. A light sanding around the outside of the hole takes away any burrs, then I primer any bare metal.

Not the fasted way, but I have found this to be the cleanest way.

Matt,

I like what you did there too. When I see ideas like this it does tear at me at times that I'm restoring my A100 without mods, but that is the direction I'm sticking with. Non the less I will keep watching for your updates on this as they come. Looks good. Scott...

I would love to learn how to fill in holes like you guys do with metal since my dashboard has several non-original holes in it. I need to find out if the local community college or trade school offers any night classes. Your dash board looks awesome! Nice piece of work. Can't wait to see the cluster installed!

Nice seats Matt!. Looks very good.

I got a couple hours to work on the van tonight, and the Dakota Digital cluster housing came in Monday, so it was tinkering time!

I made a template to fit the cluster hole, then cut out the center to hold the cluster housing.  Then I test fitted it in the dash...

[I apologize for the picture quality, I used my 5 year old cell phone after dark...]









The cluster housing is made of aluminum.  I have called a few powder coating businesses in the local area and they all assure me they can power coat it any color as long as it's not dinged or scratched, so no problem there.

Now the hard part, and I am open to suggestions...

I like the original color of the van, Medium Green Metallic and white, but am not obligated to it.  My wife thinks I should paint it 1999 Dodge Intrepid Red and white [we had one years ago and she loved the color].  It is a nice red, and it would go great with the original white.

Also, it seems easier to match the interior colors with red than green.

Thoughts?

Vanny: Look into adult education classes in your area. We have one here that is for body work. I take it off and on when I need to. This is where I learned welding basics, patch panels, hammer/dolly, and painting [I painted my roof myself, I can send pics if anyone is interested]. Classes were Tues/Thurs from 6pm to 10pm. I learned a ton. Then I just 'honed' my skills at home. I learn new stuff every time I touch the old girl. She is my learning tool for body work.

Was finally able to work on the van again...man, it has been too long...talk about withdrawals!

I made the cluster mount out of 18 gauge steel.  Lots of cutting, grinding, test fitting and patients.  Here it is:

Template, metal and cluster bracket


After trimming corners to fit


Final test fit before cutting center out


Snug!


Final fit.  Now for cleanup and printer


I will be doing the final cleanup, primer and paint on the rest of the interior and dash next.

I keep posting if you guys are interested...

Definitely add more pics as you go...Loving it!

That's sharp !! Man always post pics of a build ! Keeps us going.

Nice work

I'm liking that looks good.

gona look sharp,

I'm impressed! That's going to look very nice!

We should have that coffee soon.

very cool...

Following along, so keep those pics coming. That's going to look real sharp in there.