I want to gut my dash this weekend and just bolt a piece of steel across it. Has anyone done this? Pictures? Information on anything bad about this would be cool.

Also if you have a picture of your CJ dash post that.

Thanks!

Its not completely finished but its getting there.


http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v2/8/38/93/30383893EctjvhtKpi_ph

Jeeper

Way cool...I like that look. Are you doing any kind of glove compartment? Or jsut flat all the way? Speakers?

Anymore pictures?

there are a bunch of other pics on my website belowhttp://www.4xvideo.com/projects/gossemer/images/105-0516_IMG.jpg

Originally posted by Keith Strong
Way cool...I like that look. Are you doing any kind of glove compartment? Or jsut flat all the way? Speakers?

Thanks! I've got plenty of room do do some cutting and adding things. Most likely I'll add a mobile welder where the glove box normally is and I'm not real big music on the trail...not even sure I'll put a stereo in yet but I have the room.

Jeeper

Jeeper,

Did you just take off your YJ dash and then bolt on a piece steel sheet of steel after you cut the holes, hooked up the gauges and that it? Anything special you had to do or any problems you can into?

He shouldn't have any problems, he's been working on it for a fawkin' year. LOL. Just busting your balls, Steve.
Dion

Originally posted by Blatant
He shouldn't have any problems, he's been working on it for a fawkin' year. LOL. Just busting your balls, Steve.
Dion

Ain't it great to have firends!! LOL!

Actually he's right, been down so long lately I can't remember how to drive the damn thing!

I took the entire dash off along with most of the skin from my knuckles. The dash you see pictured is actually flat aluminum that I bent to fit and brushed a swirl patter in it with a drill press and emory wheel. I cut the holes out for the guages after test fitting and measuring for guage depth. I do have a 1x1/4 hollow stock steel bar at the lower portion of the dash for added support. Self Tapping/recessed sheet metal screws hold the whole thing together.

In this pic, if you look right below the steering column, you can see the bar I'm talking about. Agian...just a work in progress.

http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v0/1/20/94/28512094vsRLdhBpKH_ph


Jeeper

I was under the impression that the stock guages connected directly to a special circuit board, making wiring the whole thing a nightmare. This is not your experience?

most aftermarket gauges can be purchased with sending units that are more acurate and will require less wiring than the stock gauge cluster.

Jeeper- I like the swirl brushing, looks great!

Here's a shot of my stainless dash with Autometer gauges.

http://www.dehesa4x4.com/mckay/images/dash1.JPG

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/interior/yjdash/Dcp01036.jpg

the writeup:

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/interior/yjdash/

hey dan - where can i find those little indicator lights ya got there? im working on my flat dash right now - different design than what everyone else does, but i think it will look good , its coming along nicely. another question for you dan.... did you use the stock wires from the stock connectors that go to the gauge clusters? if thats the case, it should be a breeze wiring this thing up with the gauges and all. one more thing, can all the accessories that will go on the flat dash use the same ground? this includes all the gauges and indicator lights, etc. ??? thanks



- jake

I hope you guys don't have anything against off-road.com, but there is an article there.

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/swb/articles/dash.htm

Good luck
Pete

Originally posted by Blatant
He shouldn't have any problems, he's been working on it for a fawkin' year. LOL. Just busting your balls, Steve.
Dion

I think you forgot the "S" didn't you mean...YEARS?

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

I picked up the coloured indicator lights at radio shack in Canada. They come in red/green/blue and are inexpensive. Check the radio shack webpage.....

hey jake,

its a friends jeep, not mine.

- dont know what indicator lights he used,
- wiring is discussed in the writup. Some factory, some aftermarket.
- yes you can use a single ground , but make it a good ground. I would get a stranded copper ribbon and through bolt it to the fire wall, and on the back side of the bolt run it to the battery, also with a nice stranded copper ribbon. when grounding all the guages,

if you have any more questions, email him. see the top of the writup. btw, he didn't do the wiring, another friend helped with that.

you mean run the common ground from the bolt in the firewall to the negative battery post? why run it to the battery? why wouldnt you just ground it on the firewall?


- jake

Originally posted by HeyBeerMan


I think you forgot the "S" didn't you mean...YEARS?

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Hey now! I resemble that remark! :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :beer:

I just had another kid 3 weeks ago...been a little busy. I'm almost done....really :D

Jeeper

Capitol Jeepers Supply sells blank dash panels. I know they fit CJs, not sure about YJs.
www.jeepparts.com

you mean run the common ground from the bolt in the firewall to the negative battery post?

Yes

why run it to the battery? why wouldnt you just ground it on the firewall?

If you have a good ground to the firewall you don't have to. It won't hurt either. My take is if you are rewiring things anyway, why not make certain you have a very good ground for all your underdash electrical connections.