Starting custom truck dash, pics!
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=53664
Printed Date: May 21, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Topic: Starting custom truck dash, pics!
Posted By: djdaveoc
Subject: Starting custom truck dash, pics!
Date Posted: April 10, 2005 at 8:24 PM
I finished tearing out the whole dash in my 2000 Dodge Dakota and made part of the frame for the new dash out of MDF. I then taped down foil over the MDF with painters tape and I'm going to spray on a mold release. I'm going outside to finish making the frame for the dash and then I'll glass it tonight. I bought a $30 work light from Walfart and it works great since it's 1,000 watts. Now I can work at night as long as I'm not too loud. The neighbors next door have a baby and little kid. Anyway, the three pics I took so far are here. I plan to do work almost every day so I'll try to keep the regular updates coming. I'm a fiberglass newbie starting off with a big project so wish me luck. https://djdaveoc.tripod.com/mywork/ ------------- }:) Plan, Research, Do
Replies:
Posted By: oonikfraleyoo
Date Posted: April 10, 2005 at 11:04 PM
Didn't you gut that truck like 2 months ago? Takin' your time huh? ------------- Nik
Jeeputer Progress
[|||||||||||-] 90%
Check it out.
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 11, 2005 at 1:27 AM
No, I really gutted most of it almost two years ago, but haven't been motivated to fix anything. This week I probably got more done than in the past year combined. With my lack of experience and full-time job, this is going to take me some time to finish considering the scope of my project. It took a good 6 hours just to get the dash out thanks to Dodge and their insane design. That thing is made to never come out, but unfortunately the heater core is behind the glove box and under the whole dash. My heater core had to be replaced a couple years ago and Dodge charged me over $600, mostly because of the labor involved with removing and putting back on the dash. Too bad they can't replace it from under the hood. Anyway, tonight I had to make an emergency run to Autozone to get more fiberglass mat and resin hardener, but I was able to get about two layers of mat and resin down on the top of the whole dash. It's about 4.5 feet wide and between 17 and 22 inches deep. I think I used almost $10 worth of mat and $30 worth of resin and hardener just to get it started. I plan to do a few more layers of mat since it's a pretty flat piece on top. Once there's at least 5 thick layers I'm going to Marglass it like Alpine does to their dashes before they take them out of the vehicle. I'll try to take a few more pics tomorrow. -------------  Plan, Research, Do
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 13, 2005 at 10:29 PM
Well ladies and gentleman, to show that I'm finally getting off my lazy butt to work on my truck after all this time, here are four more progress pics. As was stated up above, I'm not in a hurry and this is my first fiberglass project ever. This truck is also my daily driver. I took out the MDF frame and took the fiberglass top dash cover out of the truck after two days of letting it dry and bake in the socal sunshine. It is two layers so far and is flexible, but is too hard to warp. All I need to do is sand/grind the bumps off the top and I'm going to do another 3 layers of glass I'm guessing to make sure it's good and hard. By that time it probably won't bend too much and should be strong enough to coat with Marglass like Alpine does. Then I will let that dry and then grind and sand it down until it's as smooth as possible. In case you couldn't tell, I'm doing the dash in sections, like Dodge did on the original plastic dash. How am I going to attach it all in the end you ask? I guess you'll have to keep coming back for more updates and pictures. Most likely I'm going to get all the parts of the dash ready for paint and then go see my friendly neighborhood body shop where I know the owners from some past accidents that I was in. Again, the new pics are at djdaveoc.tripod.com/mywork Enjoy! ------------- Plan, Research, Do
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 13, 2005 at 10:32 PM
Hmm, how to make my link active... I'll try this again. https://djdaveoc.tripod.com/mywork ------------- Plan, Research, Do
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 13, 2005 at 11:19 PM
I guess nobody loves me and I'm the only one around. I just added another 4 pics. Three are of the piece out of the truck, smoothed out some, and hosed off to get rid of the dust. The other pics shows you my messy work space, just for fun. https://djdaveoc.tripod.com/mywork ------------- Plan, Research, Do
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 14, 2005 at 12:52 AM
Ok, I'll just continue to be the only one posting in here. I just added pics to my site for the 3rd time tonight. 2 more pics of the piece after the thick layer of glass that I put on it tonight. Oh lordy is it easier to glass with the piece out of the truck. You can't tell from looking at the pics but it's actually pretty flat and smooth. Maybe one more layer of glass tomorrow night and it will be ready for the Marglass. ------------- Plan, Research, Do
Posted By: placid warrior
Date Posted: April 14, 2005 at 1:56 AM
u had one other post, lol. I'm sure once the progress gets as far as an almost complete dash or something then u will get loads of comments...Its depressing looking at a gutted vehicle. Glad your making progress though, and i cant wait to see how it comes out, keep up the good work.
Posted By: djdaveoc
Date Posted: April 14, 2005 at 2:11 AM
I left the piece in my garage to dry overnight with my hot 1,000 watt double worklight on it to help speed things up. I work 8:30 to 5:30 M-F so I'm limited to doing work on nights and weekends. I'm hoping to finish the glass tomorrow and then do the Marglass and get some electrical things fixed on Saturday. Then I'll grind/sand the dried Marglass on Sunday. Friday nights I help my friend DJ a bar so no workie, only partie  ------------- Plan, Research, Do
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