I wanna rip out the factory dash in my '81 Toyota p/u was hoping to put in some kind of simple sheet metal, boxy looking structure.
I'd cut out holes for the tach, speedo, oil pressure, temp...etc...
Any advice for tackling this? I also hope to install full hydro steering sooner than later and want to mount the orbital valve right on the dash. The dash would have to support the weight of the valvle and applied steering torque placed on it by the steering wheel. I was either gonna mig weld it together or rivet it together. Any ideas and pictures would be much appreciated.

here is mine, in the works..

pretty simple flat aluminum - could easily be sheetmetal (or even plastic)

http://www.rivercityrockcrawlers.com/TechReports/MoPower/interior/dash/dash.jpg

oh you said whole dash - so that wasn't really what you were lookin for. OOps, soure someone has one here..

Originally posted by Lowtorious
I wanna rip out the factory dash in my '81 Toyota p/u was hoping to put in some kind of simple sheet metal, boxy looking structure.
I'd cut out holes for the tach, speedo, oil pressure, temp...etc...
Any advice for tackling this? I also hope to install full hydro steering sooner than later and want to mount the orbital valve right on the dash. The dash would have to support the weight of the valvle and applied steering torque placed on it by the steering wheel. I was either gonna mig weld it together or rivet it together. Any ideas and pictures would be much appreciated.

Use some 1/4" fiber board, use duct tape, small wood strips to form the shell, and the panels. Once you get what you are looking for lay a couple of layers of fiberglass over the shell. You can also use metal or acrylic (SP?) inserts to allow easy access.

Most hardware stores sell the fiberglass mat and resin.

You can gell the fiberglass to give you a nice surface, or cover the dash with material.

Joe

good deal, thanks.
I never thought of using fiber glass, good idea.
Like I said though, it's gotta be stong enough to support that orbital valve. I guess I could fab some kind of endo tube skeleton and lay fiberglass over that...

Originally posted by Lowtorious
good deal, thanks.
I never thought of using fiber glass, good idea.
Like I said though, it's gotta be stong enough to support that orbital valve. I guess I could fab some kind of endo tube skeleton and lay fiberglass over that...
look at how the steering colom is mounted now, use that tube or make your own.

Originally posted by Lowtorious
good deal, thanks.
I never thought of using fiber glass, good idea.
Like I said though, it's gotta be stong enough to support that orbital valve. I guess I could fab some kind of endo tube skeleton and lay fiberglass over that...

Leave the existing metal supports in place, and build the shell over that. Else do as you say and build new support members, then lay glass over that.

Joe

You might want to check the screws right up front, just behind the windshield before you get too carried away. I am trying to get the dash out of mine right now and it is a bitch.

There is very little clearance due to the angle of the windshield, and I can't get enough pressure on them to turn without stripping the head. Might have to take the glass out to get at them.

If this does not make sense let me know and I'll get you a picture. Or if you know how to do it, let me know!

Originally posted by yurtle
You might want to check the screws right up front, just behind the windshield before you get too carried away. I am trying to get the dash out of mine right now and it is a bitch.

There is very little clearance due to the angle of the windshield, and I can't get enough pressure on them to turn without stripping the head. Might have to take the glass out to get at them.

If this does not make sense let me know and I'll get you a picture. Or if you know how to do it, let me know!

Do you have a right angle adapter? Called a Skew Driver, I think. It's what I use to get to the tight clearance screws on the rig. Worth the 40 bucks for the driver.

Joe

Just make sure you mount the steering wheel to a stong frame. It is what you hold on to when your wheelin. One good roll or impact and you could end up ripping the wheel out of the dash.:(

have a spool gun???

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/trd/4.jpg

i'm thinking about the same thing,i like the fiberglass idea.i was also thinking about making some sections hinged for easy access(where possible).

holy crap and left hand drive! pretty cool setup with the laptop.
I'm not too worried about ripping it all out. I'm cutting and grinding it all out...
It's supporting the wheel like you all have said. I was gonna hang some tabs off the cross bar of the in cab cage (say that five times fast) and mount the orbital valve to that. I'd also like to retain the factory heat and defrost if that's all possible by cutting out holes in whatever panel material i use and mounting the vents in those....
I'm stil on a mission trying to find the best full hydro parts for the buck..any ideas and/or suggestions on that?

Originally posted by Old Scout
have a spool gun???

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/trd/4.jpg
fawkin A! That defender 110 from tomb raider was a work of art...

Originally posted by Lowtorious
holy crap and left hand drive! ....

looks RHD to me:D ok raise your left hand...NO! your other left:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

:idea: Try looking for your steering parts at a forklift
repair/salvage yard, you might even be able to find
a Toyota forklift to get parts from:idea:

I went with plastic....here is my latest..

another

more

I wanna rip out the factory dash in my '81 Toyota p/u was hoping to put in some kind of simple sheet metal, boxy looking structure.
I'd cut out holes for the tach, speedo, oil pressure, temp...etc...
Any advice for tackling this? I also hope to install full hydro steering sooner than later and want to mount the orbital valve right on the dash. The dash would have to support the weight of the valvle and applied steering torque placed on it by the steering wheel. I was either gonna mig weld it together or rivet it together. Any ideas and pictures would be much appreciated.
what did you come up with?

good lord how much dust did you have to blow off this thread????? :eek: :eek:




chris:cool2:

good lord how much dust did you have to blow off this thread????? :eek: :eek:




chris:cool2:

i WAS DOING A SEARCH FOR gEARMAN'S rhd BUGGT(i COULDN'T FIND) & FOUND THIS:D

good lord how much dust did you have to blow off this thread????? :eek: :eek:




chris:cool2:
HAHAHA I hadn't even looked at the dates till now!