11 replies to this topic

[CGilmour]

Hey Guys

Ive just stipped out my 1982 hle's dash and pad rails out to sort out some rust out around the fresh air vents and weld them up compleatly. Ive been thinking for a while that I want to fit a dash into at some point to fit a rev gauge and extra switches etc but havent found any I like and have now decided to make my own to how i want it.

I quite like the look of not having pad rails in the car and was wondering if anyone has any photos of stipped out/ custom dash designs to give me some ideas, I have a few ideas allready but not quite sure on how I am going to mount it and what are the best materials to use etc...

Once I start on the design I will keep you posted to see how it all turns out

Cheers for you help

Chris

Edited by CGilmour, 11 October 2010 - 09:39 PM.

[1984mini25]

I have just made one, but had to end up keeping the lower rail because of the bulky standard dials.

[attachment=103719:HPIM3312.jpg][attachment=103720:HPIM3313.jpg]
[attachment=103721:HPIM3321.jpg][attachment=103722:HPIM3328.jpg]
[attachment=103723:HPIM3335.jpg]

I’ve still got all the templates I used, if you want I could always make up another, but to your requirements.

[morley]

are these similar to what your after?

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=170795

[rosco454]

are these similar to what your after?

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=170795

Saves me posting my pic up again!

Cheers Ross.

[Pooky]

My attempt

[CGilmour]

I have just made one, but had to end up keeping the lower rail because of the bulky standard dials.

[attachment=103719:HPIM3312.jpg][attachment=103720:HPIM3313.jpg]
[attachment=103721:HPIM3321.jpg][attachment=103722:HPIM3328.jpg]
[attachment=103723:HPIM3335.jpg]

I’ve still got all the templates I used, if you want I could always make up another, but to your requirements.

Looks good mate, Spose if i wasnt using standard dials I would get rid of the lower pad rail too? How have you attached it?

[CGilmour]

Cheers guys, these are all great Ideas Has given me more Ideas. Still not sure what Im going for yet will have to wait and see what happens!

Cheers Chris

[CGilmour]

Cheers guys, these are all great Ideas Has given me more Ideas. Still not sure what Im going for yet will have to wait and see what happens!

Cheers Chris

[1984mini25]

Looks good mate, Spose if i wasnt using standard dials I would get rid of the lower pad rail too? How have you attached it?

You can keep the standard dials and have a dash without rails; my first one was just that but in 3 sections.
[attachment=103792:HPIM3047.JPG]

And yep that’s is a switch plate welded into the dash rail, unfortunately I’ve got to chop it back out to re-fit the padded one.

But the only problem I found and to some extent with the new one, but not as bad is the screen y shaped demister vent prevents the clocks from sitting all the way back.

I have seen the mk1 metal vents have the take off to one side rather than the centre, which might just give the required clearance.

But then what doesn’t helps is not only do I have the dials on the drivers side, but the fuse box and wiring relocated to under the dash on that side, a bundle of extra relays, the wiring for the flip front and the standard wiring just for the clocks.

As for how it’s attached, I’ve just counter sunk some holes were needed, poked some bolts through and secured with a nut on the back. Fiberglass/filled over on the front and just used some plastic joining blocks and wing nuts on the back.
[attachment=103794:HPIM3317.jpg]

As that was the cheapest, as I already had the bits spare in the garage and just about the simplest solution.

Edited by 1984mini25, 13 October 2010 - 05:26 PM.

[Beaker]

Hello guys,
Just seen this post and was thinking of doing similar thing with my new project,I'm guessing most of you have seen the "Bogus 2" build in miniworlds "keeping your mini alive" magazine,so I contacted them for a price of their Carbon Fibre dash.
Oh my god,I did'nt think it would be that much---£385---guess I will try and produce my own!!

[callumsfirstcar]

Looks good mate, Spose if i wasnt using standard dials I would get rid of the lower pad rail too? How have you attached it?

You can keep the standard dials and have a dash without rails; my first one was just that but in 3 sections.
[attachment=103792:HPIM3047.JPG]

And yep that’s is a switch plate welded into the dash rail, unfortunately I’ve got to chop it back out to re-fit the padded one.

But the only problem I found and to some extent with the new one, but not as bad is the screen y shaped demister vent prevents the clocks from sitting all the way back.

I have seen the mk1 metal vents have the take off to one side rather than the centre, which might just give the required clearance.

But then what doesn’t helps is not only do I have the dials on the drivers side, but the fuse box and wiring relocated to under the dash on that side, a bundle of extra relays, the wiring for the flip front and the standard wiring just for the clocks.

As for how it’s attached, I’ve just counter sunk some holes were needed, poked some bolts through and secured with a nut on the back. Fiberglass/filled over on the front and just used some plastic joining blocks and wing nuts on the back.
[attachment=103794:HPIM3317.jpg]

As that was the cheapest, as I already had the bits spare in the garage and just about the simplest solution.

how do you remove dash rails? and if i take mine off will it be the same colour as my car underneath!?- maybe a stupid questio but i didnt want to just try it my self and brake something:P

[CGilmour]

Looks good mate, Spose if i wasnt using standard dials I would get rid of the lower pad rail too? How have you attached it?

You can keep the standard dials and have a dash without rails; my first one was just that but in 3 sections.
[attachment=103792:HPIM3047.JPG]

And yep that’s is a switch plate welded into the dash rail, unfortunately I’ve got to chop it back out to re-fit the padded one.

But the only problem I found and to some extent with the new one, but not as bad is the screen y shaped demister vent prevents the clocks from sitting all the way back.

I have seen the mk1 metal vents have the take off to one side rather than the centre, which might just give the required clearance.

But then what doesn’t helps is not only do I have the dials on the drivers side, but the fuse box and wiring relocated to under the dash on that side, a bundle of extra relays, the wiring for the flip front and the standard wiring just for the clocks.

As for how it’s attached, I’ve just counter sunk some holes were needed, poked some bolts through and secured with a nut on the back. Fiberglass/filled over on the front and just used some plastic joining blocks and wing nuts on the back.
[attachment=103794:HPIM3317.jpg]

As that was the cheapest, as I already had the bits spare in the garage and just about the simplest solution.

how do you remove dash rails? and if i take mine off will it be the same colour as my car underneath!?- maybe a stupid questio but i didnt want to just try it my self and brake something:P

Well when I removed my pad rails mine wernt the same colour as the rest of my paint, depends if your car is it original colour or how good the last repray was... and to remove the top rail there are 3 bolts underneath, 2 at each corner and one in the middle, undo them and the top should just pull off, And I just ripped the bottom one off because i wasnt planning on keeping it hope this helps,

Chris