Dash ideas.

**tomstickland** · 28-06-2002 12:17

As you might know, I've ripped my manky old dash out. I'm going to be mocking up how I want the new one in cardboard tonight.

I'm thinking about materials.
One idea is to make it all from balsa wood and then trim it in something, maybe carbon fibre look stuff. Not entirely sure about that.
Another is to have it fabricated from ally sheet. Could be noisey mind.
And another is to research carbon fibre, because I've been told that you can buy it in sheet form and resin. So then I'd make some formers and mould it.

Found a supplier http://www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/cf/index.html

**Jhonno** · 28-06-2002 13:46

CARBON FIBRE!!!

Go on do it - it would look sooo cool

(and be very light

)

**Rob_S** · 28-06-2002 14:15

BRB - gone for a vvank lmao

**tomstickland** · 28-06-2002 22:09

Cardboard mock up. Is it hard core enough? Not sure, I tried a more bulky centre console idea but didn't like it.

**LEE69** · 28-06-2002 22:16

that would look ace mate.

looking forward to the finished article.

**Strick** · 28-06-2002 22:19

Oh yes, you gotta do that!!

**tomstickland** · 28-06-2002 22:31

I think I can make it all from pre set flat sheets of Carbon fibre. Together with Stainless bolts or something. Other random ideas on my mind are....
-dewire fault computer and place LEDs into the new dash rather than the tired old orange filters in the computer
-clunky toggle switches for lights and heater etc
-cut slots for heater controls so can't see the manky plastic casting
-open plan fuse box by driver's door
-push button start
-maybe some gauges like inlet air temp, water temp these should
be digital, trip to Maplin I think

**Lead_foot** · 28-06-2002 22:34

Looks good, leave it like that with the cardboard in. its very light thats what u want isn't it?

Only jokin' lmao , the end result will look ace!

**tomstickland** · 28-06-2002 22:37

I'm hoping that the fibre will be lighter than the cardboard! It's surprisingly heavy stuff. Well in my new weight sensitive world it is.

I'm going to stuff some sound proofing in tomorrow. I'm thinking along the lines of the Polystyrene blocks they sell in Wickes for loft insulation.

**Vauxnova** · 29-06-2002 07:51

how about?

**rp_gte** · 29-06-2002 07:55

hey... thats the nutter golf turbo... wooooooooooshhh whistle wooooooooooooshhhh

.

Love the carbon fiber idea Tom...

**tomstickland** · 29-06-2002 08:26

I have to cover up the pathetic bent tin that consititutes the bulkhead, so totally stripped look is out. I'm sort of aiming halfway between std dash and totally stripped out.

**Gander** · 29-06-2002 10:13

Tom I noticed you still have the GTE doorcards, putting in a sheet of carbon fibre rather than keeping the carpeted cardboard would save a few kg's no?

As for lightweight insulation, have you thought about expanding foam? thats lightweight and can be put nearly anywhere!

**Freak** · 29-06-2002 10:52

Personally i think carbopn fibre dash would look shite- would look a lot nicer in alcantara , but hey thats just my opinion.

**PhilM** · 29-06-2002 19:08

Originally posted by Freak
Personally i think carbopn fibre dash would look shite- would look a lot nicer in alcantara , but hey thats just my opinion.

i second that - do it!

**Joekont** · 01-07-2002 09:33

A bloke I know lays carbon fibre. He'll make pretty much anything for enough money.

It's not pressure impregnated so not bullet proof but pretty hard and bloody light.

Reckons it just like fibreglass but with different chemicals. And you have to think about which way to la the matting so that it doesn't look crap.

Do it.

Carbon Fibre!!!

And I wouldn't use Polystyrene. MAJOR fire hazard!

Expandite on the bulkhead will deaden the sound loads. But you could use fibreglass loft insulation. Thats light and would insulate the bulkhead too.

**graham_may** · 01-07-2002 11:39

LOVE the carbon fibre idea mate!!!

U wanna whack in a couple random swithces to act as immoboliser switches too mate!!! not leaving a slot for a stereo head-unit???

U want a couple cut-off kill-switches etc in it too! rally feel!

**tomstickland** · 02-07-2002 16:42

Well I'm going outside tonight for a go at the second concept.
It's going to be a bit more rad, less like a MK2 dash.

**tomstickland** · 04-07-2002 17:10

A bit more rad. Seeing as I have a large sheet of 1mm Al sheet in the garrage, I might make a mock up in that next.

**Freak** · 04-07-2002 17:34

Doesnt look right........

The big vertical thing in the middle ruins it.

**tomstickland** · 04-07-2002 17:38

I'm working away in Adobe Paintshop at the moment. It'll look better. Though I'm not saying that I 100% like it yet.

**tomstickland** · 04-07-2002 21:22

I was looking at it tonight. I agree, I don't like. It looks too much like a big block. I'm going to set the digi dash back into a pod and then make a more angled centre console bit.
I've pretty much got to keep the centre console because I want to keep the heater controls in the right place.

**Colonel K** · 05-07-2002 10:22

Tom, I'd personnally would not have a dash but smooth off and paint all the interior to the same standard as outside.

I know you dont wanna do that.

The half dash mock-up looks cool tho, although the shape needs a bit of a change! Good luck with it and post a pic as soon as poss!

**Joekont** · 05-07-2002 10:27

Have you thought about putting the actual gauges pointing upwards and having an HUD type display reflected off the front screen or a piece of glass??

OllyHewitt · 05-07-2002 18:34

it all looks a bit square to me... not sure...

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