Show me your dash.

[RZOcuervo]

I'm trying to get some ideas on how I'm going to run my dash. Not so easy! Any info on some other f-toy dash work... I'm having a brain fart!

[gregbrennan2004]

I dont have A pic but MT4runner has a sweet dash center

[MT4Runner]

Originally Posted by gregbrennan2004

I dont have A pic but MT4runner has a sweet dash center

You were swayed by the clinometer and altimeter, right?

While everything was clean/during the build/before side panels:




The brushed aluminum 12VoltGuy panel looks great new, but the letters are hard to read when the panel gets dirty/muddy/dusty. Go for black anodized panels.

Side panels with speakers and 12 volt cig. lighter plugs:


I like the centered panel, because it's just as easy for the co-driver to keep an eye on gauges, run the radio, check switches/fuses, etc.

If I did it over, or if I redo it, it will be tapered top and bottom for even more "custom" look (see outline below in green), but the way I did it first is a lot easier to fabricate!! I also have room now for a tach in the upper right, and I'm not sure where I'd put it if I built the more angled version.

[maveric]

This was the first attempt. Didn't work so well.


Second attempt. Much more user friendly, but havent tried to remove the tranny yet.

[RZOcuervo]

I will post up some pictures when i get home of what im working with..

[a2b]

take your time here on the dash/wiring. get this right as all of us have changed and changed what we did the first time.

the biggest common regret theme among builders is: the ones who made it like a stock truck, where you have to get under the dash to get to the wiring...DONT DO THAT! you will hate your self later.

try to keep wiring on top of things and avoid wires floating in the air. run them along panels. be able to access your wiring and fuses from on top, going thru the windshield. i dont know where it is, look for mike hendrix dash and wiring design. its exactly what i wanted to do to mine.

mine wasnt too bad, but still not accessible enough, the mounting on the fire wall was sometimes a PITA because of the other side being close to the motor and wires getting all bundled up near the slave cyliner....this was my 3rd dash setup.







and even with propane, i had a ton a wires hidden behind the small firewall. it worked well: we even did the same design on the bender raffle rig.

overall i think the theory here is: spread things out. i have too many wires going into the same small hole or same area. it gets cluttlerd.

[Im4yotas]

Here's my dash. For me, the look is great, but as Hobie mentioned, a real pain to work on or diagnose electrical problems.

Last 2 pics are of a rig in my shop right now that was done right and still looks great. All the wiring and accessories are mounted on top of a piece of sheet metal that is the bottom of the dash, then the face and top cover are removable for easy access. Pics are all I have handy, so they don't show it perfectly...

[gm500hprat]

Here is a pic of the dash on my X still in the works, needs paint. wiring will be accesible from front side of the dash using sheetmetal panels mounted with dzus tabs.



You can kind of see the openings on the front here with the panels not installed yet.

[zman2day]

Mine - pretty simple - gauges in front of driver in a pod - switches up top outta the way. (older pics from the build)

[abrogate]

Originally Posted by gm500hprat

I think that you are going to hate that. I did my first dash with diamond plate and even after it looses its luster, it will blind you like you wouldn't believe. It is like having a mirror for a dash. At least mine was.

While I don't have a f-toy, I do have a Yota that is basically what you guys have.

Here is what I did:



It clears my right leg by about eight inches. It comes out with four bolts too. I just finished up the other panel that has the bus bars, mega fuse, relays and breakers. It will be hinged so that I can remove on bolt and it will pop down for access. And don't mind the mess of wiring to the right, that was temporary to get the truck to start up.

[gm500hprat]

The diamond Plate on the dash is getting painted when the chassis does, I've be warned 1k times about the glare.

[mtbrjon]

My personal favorite. My brother James built this. Far as I know it's still in FT48.

[Supra 4x4]

Originally Posted by mtbrjon

My personal favorite. My brother James built this. Far as I know it's still in FT48.

Yes it is still in FT48 but it's red now. I bought it from Adam a few months ago.