Managed to get the first stage of my custom dash finished today. I needed to lay up a fibreglass base on which I can sculpt the new dash (out of expanding foam) and after a couple of days at it, here it is.

 

I'm going to cut out the cowl over the clocks and extend it over the centre panel, which will be brought out and swept round to face the driver at an angle (housing gauges and at least one recessed screen for the computer interface). The passenger side will have a cowl fitted and a larger screen recessed into it facing forwards. That's the plan anyway! :D

 

Leigh.

 

 

Good Work Fella

I like the idea of a sweeping dash :cool:

:ttiwwop:

 

Sounds cool!

Nice one Leigh, it's gonna be lovely :cool: Is that gonna fit through the door though hehe, or will you have to remove all the seats and pass it through the boot? :D

Good Luck.

 

Remember your going to have to gain access to some of the stuff in the middle and you don't want to put Aesthetics beyond pragmatisum.

Nice one Leigh, it's gonna be lovely :cool: Is that gonna fit through the door though hehe, or will you have to remove all the seats and pass it through the boot? :D

Believe it or not Pete, the whole fibreglass base (which is basically all of the dash plus part of the glovebox and the seperate trim covering the gear lever/hand which runs up to the centre box between the seats), fits through the doors (with the T Bars off ;)) with absolutely no problem whatsoever!

 

Good Luck.

 

Remember your going to have to gain access to some of the stuff in the middle and you don't want to put Aesthetics beyond pragmatisum.

 

Form over function? Mark you should know better than to suggest that! ;) :D In keeping with the ethos behind the rest of the car, the dash has to be smooth and stylish, looking almost "factory fit" but also fully retain it's practicality. The OEM dash is a bit of a bugger to get on and off which is why I'm also using this as an opportunity to improve the design. As mentioned above, the trim is going to be consolidated into one removable piece. At the moment I'm considering two different versions of dash attachment:

 

1. Clips mounted at the edges using Alan bolts. The mounting holes would look something like this:

 

 

This would make for easy access, however something that could prove to be even more user friendly is this method

 

2. Keyhole slot attachment. By adding a dog-leg style, key hole slot to each mounting hole,

 

installing and removing the dash would be a simple push-in and down job.

 

 

If you need to tighten the dash because of a rattle or squeak in the future, just give the screw another turn. Removal of the dash would be an entirely "no-tool" job. Though I've got a feeling it might end of being a combination of the two methods!

 

Leigh.

Leigh, really looking forward to seeing your Z all done dude.

PMSL Would you believe it Leigh, I forgot about the t-bars! I've been zedless for too long :cry:

PMSL Would you believe it Leigh, I forgot about the t-bars! I've been zedless for too long :cry:

 

Z JAFFA!!! Ha ha ha :D

PMSL Would you believe it Leigh, I forgot about the t-bars! I've been zedless for too long :cry:

LOL! :slap: :D Shame on you Pete. Say fifteen Hail Marys and put your hair shirt on! :rofl:

what about doing it in carbon fibre? would that be difficult? I guess jaylox would be the man to talk to, and he could probably get different colour weaves

leigh in its current form it looks like something out of predator :shock:

what about doing it in carbon fibre? would that be difficult? I guess jaylox would be the man to talk to, and he could probably get different colour weaves

From what I've read on the subject Mike it's hellishly complicated. Ideally you should use pre-preg CF cured in an auto-clave but "cold" lay-up is possible, only it's apparently a b1tch to get right. You need to cut the CF in exact shapes (similar to retrimming I guess) unlike the haphazard (in comparison)laying of fibreglass; the resin mix has to be spot on, it needs to be layed up in a perfect internal mould and vacuum bagged etc. etc. etc. in otherwords a lot more complex than using FG. TBH, I think it would take me an age to get my head round all the intricacies of it! :(

It looks a bit rough around the edges mate, and I don't like the colour!! But well done anyway :hurl:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only joking mate ;) :rofl: Keep up the good work.

YOU MY FRIEND......

Are a brave man. good work cant wait to see it fitted and finished.

 

By the way........................

 

 

 

 

Sort that bloody brickwork out. :slap:

Leigh, You are Crazy Guy, lol ;)

Cheers for the comments guys :) I'll post some more pics when I've sculpted the foam. Unfortunately, although I can finish the main shape I can't cut out the recesses for the screens/gauges till I know exactly what I'm putting in there (can't decide between going full on digital or a neo-retro look with white faced gauges/chrome bezels...). Still, I've managed to get hold of 4kg of thermoplastic which is going to be perfect for making an exact, smooth mould of the finished dash "plug". It's quite liberating when you're experimenting away and not knowing exactly what the hell you're doing! :D

 

Leigh.

You must be fookin mad mate, but best of luck.