Custom Dash Build - Page 2

coyote_94yj · 02-04-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustywrangler

That is one sexy dash you got there man. DO you have a cost estimate on the end result with gauges???

$550 for all electrical gauges from summit racing. About $100 - $130 for all the aluminum, hinges, screws and nutserts. And then you have the wire and painless connectors which came to about $60.

So about $710 - $740

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter18155

nice dash there just 1 ? though why go with a push button start instead of normal ignition in column?

I'm military and most military vehicles are combat start (eg. no keys just push button or switch) so that is what I'm sort of used to. 95% of the time the jeep is on base. I do have a hidden master switch to deter thieves.
It is so nice at the end of the day to just get in the jeep snap the belt and go click, click, boom and drive away. Especially if the doors are off. 2 seconds and I'm rolling.

Chris

**Joe Dillard** · 02-04-2008, 06:53 PM

I dig it! Nice to see somebody do something unique. It came out very well!

1 ton yj · 02-04-2008, 08:04 PM

Very nice, I like the finish on the aluminum.

Barrio · 02-04-2008, 09:13 PM

no need for a glove box?

im thinkin of doing bascily the samething but having a big,lockible glove box

**docneon** · 02-04-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote_94yj

I'm in the middle of a frame off right now but I have a sweet idea in my head and I think it will work.

Basically what I plan on doing is running some ducting from the heater box where the old defroster hooked up to the flat area where the windshield meets the tub with the rubber padding in between. I'm going to cut a oblong hole on the tub side, and in the rubber to match and then in the windshield frame so that air will fill up the entire windshield frame. The rubber in between will act as a gasket between the 2. Next I will cut some long holes in the windshield frame on the flat area where the window is. I am going to use one or 2 of these as the vents.

I'm going to cut them off to what ever length looks good and angle it just a bit towards the window. I'll weld the ends closed and screw it to the windshield frame. The cool thing about this (I think) is the entire windshield frame gets heat and you can put vents on the bottom and the top, or even on the sides.

I don't know yet how it will all play out. So far it is only in my head and I haven't laid anything out. What do you think?

Chris

I've never had a CJ, but IIRC they had the defroster go through the tub and into the windshield frame then exit the base of the frame into ducting. I've read a couple write-up on using a CJ dash and people ahve modified thier windshield frame to mimic the CJs.

I think you are right on track and it should work out great

coyote_94yj · 02-04-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrio

no need for a glove box?

im thinkin of doing bascily the samething but having a big,lockible glove box

See the thing I was thinking when I did this was if I decide to later I can just trim off the passenger side and a tuffy glove box will bolt right up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by docneon

I've never had a CJ, but IIRC they had the defroster go through the tub and into the windshield frame then exit the base of the frame into ducting. I've read a couple write-up on using a CJ dash and people ahve modified thier windshield frame to mimic the CJs.

I think you are right on track and it should work out great

Sweet...Good to know. Thanks. Now if I can just get my jeep back together and finish it off.

EDIT: It is never really finished!!!
Chris

**docneon** · 02-05-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote_94yj

EDIT: It is never really finished!!!
Chris

Isn't that the truth!!!!!!!!

Barrio · 02-05-2008, 12:10 AM

true now that you got it in you can fit what you want in their, didnt think of that

1 ton yj · 02-05-2008, 07:40 AM

An ammo can frenched into the passengers side of the dash would look really cool and you could probably make it lockable.

Alacran · 02-05-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote_94yj

I'm in the middle of a frame off right now but I have a sweet idea in my head and I think it will work.

Basically what I plan on doing is running some ducting from the heater box where the old defroster hooked up to the flat area where the windshield meets the tub with the rubber padding in between. I'm going to cut a oblong hole on the tub side, and in the rubber to match and then in the windshield frame so that air will fill up the entire windshield frame. The rubber in between will act as a gasket between the 2. Next I will cut some long holes in the windshield frame on the flat area where the window is. I am going to use one or 2 of these as the vents.

I'm going to cut them off to what ever length looks good and angle it just a bit towards the window. I'll weld the ends closed and screw it to the windshield frame. The cool thing about this (I think) is the entire windshield frame gets heat and you can put vents on the bottom and the top, or even on the sides.

I don't know yet how it will all play out. So far it is only in my head and I haven't laid anything out. What do you think?

Chris

Great job on the new dash! After looking at your idea for the defroster I have an observation. I could be wrong but I don't think that it's going to work exactly as you envision. The warm air will tend to escape from the holes closest to the source so that by the time it gets to the center of the windshield there will be little or no warm air. I like your thinking though, it's always nice to see someone try something new. If you do decide to try this I'd be very intersted to see how it works out.

coyote_94yj · 02-05-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alacran

Great job on the new dash! After looking at your idea for the defroster I have an observation. I could be wrong but I don't think that it's going to work exactly as you envision. The warm air will tend to escape from the holes closest to the source so that by the time it gets to the center of the windshield there will be little or no warm air. I like your thinking though, it's always nice to see someone try something new. If you do decide to try this I'd be very intersted to see how it works out.

That thought crossed my mind last night so I got to thinking if I put maybe 2 or 3 small ones away from the inlet on the bottom and 2 long ones on top it might work. I might have to find a donor windshield frame and try it out before I start the operation on my jeep.

Chris

**ChiliPalmer** · 02-05-2008, 11:59 AM

Have you thought of just drilling holes in the windshield? Similar to Alacran's thoughts, it looks to me like there is simply too many holes in that shelf bracket. If there were less holes it would probably work but as is I think too much air is going to escape before flows to both sides. By drilling holes you could kind of control where the air flows, you could probably find an insert to put in the holes to make them look better.

coyote_94yj · 02-05-2008, 02:51 PM

I'll consider the hole drilling idea but I think I'm going to find a donor windshield frame and try it with the shelf brackets.

**ChiliPalmer** · 02-05-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote_94yj

I'll consider the hole drilling idea but I think I'm going to find a donor windshield frame and try it with the shelf brackets.

Roger that and good idea on the extra frame - let us know how it turns out...

wb2510 · 02-05-2008, 04:57 PM

On my dash build I drilled 1/4 to 3/16 holes along the top of the center section of the square stock that is the sub frame for the new dash. The square stock is butted up to the heater duct where a hole was cut the shape of the duct plenty of defrost flow and looks pretty clean.