changing dash

[22E6441]

I need to remount my speedo to get some room to install a new switch panel, so I'll need to basically cut out the old panel and mount a new one.

Here's a shot of my dash:

I basically need to cut out the area where the brown fake wood sticker is. I figure I'll leave enough flat area to allow me to screw another panel on top of it.

What kind of material should I use for the new panel? Should I install the new panel with a bead of silicone behind it to keep it water tight?

 

[danond]

Re: changing dash

A piece of aluminum works great. I saw someone use a piece of a street sign. Easy to work with, can be painted and is strong & light.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: changing dash

Yeah, I like the aluminum idea too, just make sure to use think enough material so it doesn't buckle and distort while you are cutting on it and screwing it down.

I saw someone use a piece of a street sign.

BTW, isn't that a stop sign in the background of the pic

 

[special_kaye]

Re: changing dash

A piece of aluminum works great. I saw someone use a piece of a street sign. Easy to work with, can be painted and is strong & light.

Um, that street sign thing was me.
Here's the whole thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2036651

It's not quite done yet. I've got three out of four gauges to install but will probably by a new tach and speedo just because. I'll have tach, speedo, trim, and engine monitor.

 

[22E6441]

Re: changing dash

How hard should it be to pull my steering wheel off? Using knees to pull, and hitting the bolt with a hammer....how much effort should it take an average guy to pull it off?

I'm going to mount my switches on the panel beside and to the right of my wheel, but need to pull the wheel and my controls in order to get a jig saw in there to cut it. That part of the dash is about an inch thick!

 

[5150abf]

Re: changing dash

I woudl spend the $13 and get a puller, if that has been on there for any length of time it isn't gonna come off any other way, you can try though.
For the sign maybe go to oyur local street department and see if they have one they will let you have before you "borrow" one.

My dash is aluminum from work and I found out the hard way that it conduct electricity so keep that in mind.

 

[22E6441]

Re: changing dash

Might something like this work for pulling the steering wheel?

2 jaw puller from Canadian Tire

 

[special_kaye]

Re: changing dash

For the sign maybe go to oyur local street department and see if they have one they will let you have before you "borrow" one.

In my own defense, it was in a trash pile. It's really just a slab of aluminum like you can buy at a building store. This one just happened to have a "no dumping" sticker on it. A BIG, reflective, street sign sort of sticker.