More fabrication

Trying to keep busy on the truck. Wicked hot here lately, so time outdoors is minimal. I’ve decided to go with after market gauges and settled on the Autometer American Muscle Series. I opted to go with the 5” speedometer with built in tach and the four standard gauges, fuel, volts, water temp, and oil pressure. I also came up with my own design for a center console. I want to put an after market stereo in the dash, and want a touch screen with Bluetooth and satellite radio and of course Apple Car Play. Still considering Vintage Air for heating and AC. More on that later. I’ll attach some pics for you guys to check out.

 
Well??

That’s not the steering wheel I’m going to use. I’ve got a larger diameter wheel that affords a better view of the gauges. Going to put a couple cup holders in the corners nearest the doghouse too.

Made a big change on the center console. Took the slope out of the center. Plan to put some switches below the radio. Good place for future heater and AC controls.

following,looking to do something similar. is this going to go clear to doghouse?id like to make some lines that follow thru.

It does clear the dog house and is slightly taller. The frame work I built using 1/2” tubing and wrapped with thin expanded metal to strengthen the fiberglass. Also helps when attaching switches. Gives the mounting hardware a better bite.

Amazing work, thumbs up!

Although - if it fits a 17" screen, you could make a teslA100
(just kidding, I just kicked my last modern car, youngest now is build 79 )

The radio I want is out of stock at Crutchfield. Said they’d let me know when it’s available. It’s a pioneer with 6.8” touch screen. Big enough for me with out being too much for the dash.

I'm probably running the same radio or a little earlier model. Here is a picture from when I was mocking it up.

I would immediately loose my historic registration with a modern radio like that.

Good it works for you guys.

69 wrote:I would immediately loose my historic registration with a modern radio like that.

Good it works for you guys.

Take a picture of the original radio and tape it over a modern one? LOL.

Inserting a radio or infotainment system from the front sure would be easier that taking the glovebox out and in some cases, also the heater, in order to get a radio and speaker in through the side.
I think I'll see how much I'd have to cut the speaker grill in order to fit in a new, RetroSound, Motor4 radio and subwoofer.

sweetvan wrote:Inserting a radio or infotainment system from the front sure would be easier that taking the glovebox out and in some cases, also the heater, in order to get a radio and speaker in through the side.
I think I'll see how much I'd have to cut the speaker grill in order to fit in a new, RetroSound, Motor4 radio and woofer.

I worked mine in through the glovebox opening. That was not too hard, the retrosound has a amazingly small footprint. And I'm using the "Apache" front end, which looks pretty close to stock. At least: historic registration.

Plus a stereo coax speaker in the stock speaker location. No woofer up to now.

I meant subwoofer.

Weather has been better here lately, so decided to tackle the center console again. Wasn’t really satisfied with the first one, so I cut it out and made another one. This time entirely out of steel. Right now it’s only clamped in place. I have a couple more changes to do before I mount it permanent.  I think I can get more stuff done now that the weather is cooler. Gonna try to get a little done every day. I’ll post my progress as I go.

Well folks, this is the latest on my progress with the truck. I set the new gauges in place and kind of mocked up the shifter, and did some more work on the center console. The metal around the gauges is raw steel and certainly not what the final color will be. Haven’t made up my mind for interior colors just yet. Thought I’d send a couple pictures to bring everyone up to date. Comments welcome and much appreciated, thanks.

outstanding work !!

Been at it some more lately. Decided I want AC in the truck, and came up with a bracket to mount the compressor where the alternator usually mounts. I’m using a Sanden 508 compressor and needed to fabricate my own mounting bracket. Took a little head scratching and quite a few adjustments but I finally got something that will work. Now I have to move the alternator above the water pump and am trying to come up with a bracket for that. I’m going to have to use a non Mopar alternator because of lack of space, but I think I’m onto something. I’m including some pics of the AC mount and will send pics of the alternator mount when I get it done. Stay tuned!

awesome job !!!!

Nice work!

Been chipping away at my project lately and got a bit more accomplished. I’m using Dutra Duals and just today finished exhaust pipes down to the merge collector. Also made a new mount for the alternator. Got a new 100 amp alternator from Tuff Stuff. Here’s some pictures.

got to do what it takes when you are determined to get what you want .
i know we are 3000 miles away but some day id love to see this build
your build is out standing glad to see the post,

Thank you Dix, appreciate the kind words. It’s taking a long (too long) time to get this done. Beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Machine turned aluminum for those dash faceplates would really look good with those gauges.... And it's cheap and easy to do....