I drew up some mock ups of the dash that I want to install.
Take a look and tell me which you prefer.
I am leaning towards # 3
I will make a hard mockup from fiber board, then do one in metal. Smoke lexan may be cool as well...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... 146855.jpg
Thanks
RF
Inspired by others....
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germansupplyscott
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2001 12:01 am
randy,
i like #3 also, it looks the best.
something to think about if you have a '74, if you are going to keep the defroster ductwork, you may have trouble with the depth. i recently put a simple gauge setup in my thing and had to do lots of finnicky wiring work to make the gauges fit. mine are in the right side stock dash panel. i used a 3 1/8" tach, and two 2 1/16" gauges (oil pressure and CHT) and there was not enough depth to wire the gauge lighting without modifications to the light sockets. also i had to use 90 degree terminals on the tach. there is very little room between the rear of the central duct and the front of the panel (front is front of car). if you are making new panels this will still apply unless the new dash panel is rearward (closer to driver) of the stock location.
i'd also comment that there are quite a few wires to get to the switches and the amount of room on the sketch looks tight. the switches tend to be at odd angles for the wires to run smoothly.
i made a page of my progress so far:
http://homepage.mac.com/punkinfair/'74_ ... bum23.html
if you are ditching the defrost ducting, then you have no problems, i mostly post this to alert others who are thinking of putting gauges in a '74 thing dash, i did not forsee the problem until i was halfway into it. also i think this problem only applies to '74 model with the big hose up the middle under the dash, not sure how it applies to '73.
i like #3 also, it looks the best.
something to think about if you have a '74, if you are going to keep the defroster ductwork, you may have trouble with the depth. i recently put a simple gauge setup in my thing and had to do lots of finnicky wiring work to make the gauges fit. mine are in the right side stock dash panel. i used a 3 1/8" tach, and two 2 1/16" gauges (oil pressure and CHT) and there was not enough depth to wire the gauge lighting without modifications to the light sockets. also i had to use 90 degree terminals on the tach. there is very little room between the rear of the central duct and the front of the panel (front is front of car). if you are making new panels this will still apply unless the new dash panel is rearward (closer to driver) of the stock location.
i'd also comment that there are quite a few wires to get to the switches and the amount of room on the sketch looks tight. the switches tend to be at odd angles for the wires to run smoothly.
i made a page of my progress so far:
http://homepage.mac.com/punkinfair/'74_ ... bum23.html
if you are ditching the defrost ducting, then you have no problems, i mostly post this to alert others who are thinking of putting gauges in a '74 thing dash, i did not forsee the problem until i was halfway into it. also i think this problem only applies to '74 model with the big hose up the middle under the dash, not sure how it applies to '73.
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rfoutch
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:37 am
I just revised it, this is the one that I think that I will go with.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... 146969.jpg
I found out some interesting things, if you look close at your dash, the speedo is not centered on the wheel. It is off center by more than a half inch.
I corrected that with this dash. The two center gauges (tach and speedo) are center in the wheel.
If anyone would like a full sized printed copy, or the original Visio file, just ask.
Enjoy, and thanks for the input.
Randy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... 146969.jpg
I found out some interesting things, if you look close at your dash, the speedo is not centered on the wheel. It is off center by more than a half inch.
I corrected that with this dash. The two center gauges (tach and speedo) are center in the wheel.
If anyone would like a full sized printed copy, or the original Visio file, just ask.
Enjoy, and thanks for the input.
Randy
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Bob Ingman
- Posts: 2869
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2001 12:01 am
Randy you have some great ideas there. Might i make two suggestions in addition to the good work you already have done.
The late Joe Locicero once told me that people make a big mistake in laying out a dash according to symetry. Whats good in a show car is not neccessarily good in a racer.Vision is paramount.
Secondly I would suggest that if the car is an off-roader that you consider hooded clearance lights. If you are bouncing around and the needles are bouncing around then reading instruments while trying to drive, the difficulty of the course is compounded. Having a big oil light above the pressure gauge and a big gen light above that gauge grabs your attention without having to seek the information. They will be available from about anyone selling the instruments.
Like yourself I like a lot of switches. I like one for each of the following,primary ignition,fuel pump,start, headlights,taillights,dashlights/interior lighting,wipers/washer(multi pos),horn,heater,
That dash panel gonna be machine turned? If so make an extra for me. Or provide a blank template.
Also on the subject of instruments have you looked into the Westach line?
http://www.westach.com Best of luck. Bob Ingman
The late Joe Locicero once told me that people make a big mistake in laying out a dash according to symetry. Whats good in a show car is not neccessarily good in a racer.Vision is paramount.
Secondly I would suggest that if the car is an off-roader that you consider hooded clearance lights. If you are bouncing around and the needles are bouncing around then reading instruments while trying to drive, the difficulty of the course is compounded. Having a big oil light above the pressure gauge and a big gen light above that gauge grabs your attention without having to seek the information. They will be available from about anyone selling the instruments.
Like yourself I like a lot of switches. I like one for each of the following,primary ignition,fuel pump,start, headlights,taillights,dashlights/interior lighting,wipers/washer(multi pos),horn,heater,
That dash panel gonna be machine turned? If so make an extra for me. Or provide a blank template.
Also on the subject of instruments have you looked into the Westach line?
http://www.westach.com Best of luck. Bob Ingman
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Bob Ingman
- Posts: 2869
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2001 12:01 am
Randy if you are still out there I would like to know how you are coming along on your dash project. I too am beginning to plan a dash layout and find yours interesting.
I have not decided on my instruments but do have a set from a 914 that has VDO Tach. 120 MPH speedo, fuel,oil temp,volts. Just the basic stuff. In addition to this I would like a small fuse/switch panel such as this one
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ ... rmenbr=361
With that will be a lever type ignition/starter switch like the one on page 205 of CB Performance catalog and 3/4" clearance lights for volts/oil pres.
Keep us posted as you progress. Bob Ingman
I have not decided on my instruments but do have a set from a 914 that has VDO Tach. 120 MPH speedo, fuel,oil temp,volts. Just the basic stuff. In addition to this I would like a small fuse/switch panel such as this one
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ ... rmenbr=361
With that will be a lever type ignition/starter switch like the one on page 205 of CB Performance catalog and 3/4" clearance lights for volts/oil pres.
Keep us posted as you progress. Bob Ingman