I've been making progress on dash #2...and since you all like pictures...
There are many little features that contributed to the design(form following function) and some things may look a little odd, but there's a plan for it all
I've drafted my girlfriend's help in designing/making it, and things are actually taking shape. I give her the choices and let her decide what to do, otherwise I'd sit and stare at it for hours. I'll be adding more pics later.
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12:41 PM
PFF
System Bot
RCR Member
Posts: 4397 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
Its always nice when someone thinks "outside the box." Nice job. It may visually look akward now, but when its finished...youl'll be happy. Mine sucked big time at first, but I love it now.
Question: are you covering it in Fiberglass, right? or are parts of it will be covered in leather?
The visual display monitor, does it pivot? If not, the cops may give you a ticket?
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 05-07-2004).]
Spray for termites joe... Just messing with yaz- If you can do the double stitch high quality leather thing it will look great. It looks like a dvd display satelite radio display in the middle. good luck bro-finish it soon OUT>
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01:11 PM
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
Originally posted by G-Nasty: Spray for termites joe...
I was waiting for that It's all MDF which is very easy to work with. Thanks for the comments..helps with the motivation
Madcurl(I really like your dash btw). yes, if you noticed that bracket and thought it swiveled, you have a good eye. It also allows for something else, which I'll snap a pic of later. It does look a bit awkward., but I'm at least happy with the direction this dash is going in. With the 1st dash, I thought to use the stock dash as much as possible, but it made things heavy and ugly.
Does anyone have the weight of a stock dash, btw? This dash, is actually pretty light for being all wood. I can remove some more material too(done a lot already with all the lightening holes you see).
I am thinking it will be painted, with some vinyl on the bottom so I don't beat it up. then I'll put decals all over it like revin said
I read an interesting article, that makes a lot of sense, that said fully painted interiors aren't that good for sound quality(something I'm going for). The sounds bounces around and some frequenceies can cancel eachother out...not good...makes it sound like a boom box in a bathroom. So even though the dash will be painted, the headliner and most other areas will be vinyl and carpet. Also, let me tell you...I won't give away the angles , but the soundstage is INCREDIBLE with the speakers where mine are(spots discovered with dash #1) !
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 05-07-2004).]
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01:52 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
Originally posted by Fie Ro: Looks like your gauges are getting a Z-axis treatment! .......looking promising!
Thinking about it! If I have the tach in the middle, speedo on the right, gas/temp on left, placing them lower than the tach, I can place the AUX guages behind the tach and see them without a problem....how to light them up is going to be the issue. I do have lots of EL sitting around
Cupholders...damn...knew I forgot something. No idea where to put them. I'm having enough trouble figuring out where to put the air vents
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 05-07-2004).]
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03:09 PM
PFF
System Bot
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Cup holders.......do please get them. Your dash won't be complete w/o them! I used Street Works bullet cup holders. You already know where mine are located. There are no pics of your center console? Not many other good locations other than were mine are located. Some have incorporated them within a slide-out above the stereo system.
Anyway Street Works # is 860 859-0513 if you decide to the cup holders? The cups are big enough to hold large size drinks for those long trips.
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03:21 PM
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
that sounds good...do you have pics of them(and a couple of your dash too please!) or a web site? The center console hasn't been started yet. I dumped the old one of that too.
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03:45 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
that sounds good...do you have pics of them(and a couple of your dash too please!) or a web site? The center console hasn't been started yet. I dumped the old one of that too.
I've been spending too much time trying to figure out how to make that swiveling screen to look like it belongs there...more progress with that maybe tonight.
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 05-26-2004).]
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04:11 PM
SaLvAgEd Member
Posts: 973 From: Knoxville, IA Registered: Mar 2004
AI've been spending too much time trying to figure out how to make that swiveling screen to look like it belongs there...more progress with that maybe tonight.
Awesome work Joe, this makes the firebird dash look like child's play. Obviously you are going to have a touch screen and a car computer. The whole thing is going to swivel out...pretty cool. I'm sure you will figure out how to make it look cool.
- Jonathan
------------------ If you find my advice useful, then please give me a positive rating, thanks... 1988 GT (Firebird Interior),1988 Coupe (Daily Driver), 1985 SE (Project Car), 1985 Coupe (parts car), Firebird Interior Installation Website
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05:51 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
Well...it's getting a little heavy now. Up to 24lbs, 30 with that big monitor bracket. I can remove quite a bit of the structure though. Does anyone know what a stock dash with gauge cluster and radio surround weighs? I am trying to keep the weight down.
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02:02 AM
NotAFieroAnyLonger Member
Posts: 4413 From: 75762/Texas/USA Registered: Dec 2003
Well...it's getting a little heavy now. Up to 24lbs, 30 with that big monitor bracket. I can remove quite a bit of the structure though. Does anyone know what a stock dash with gauge cluster and radio surround weighs? I am trying to keep the weight down.
Not sure about your question, Just wanted to tell you that it is looking great!
Are you going to f'glass over it all or make a mold to re-sell them..??
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02:05 AM
PFF
System Bot
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by jscott1: Awesome work Joe, this makes the firebird dash look like child's play. Obviously you are going to have a touch screen and a car computer. The whole thing is going to swivel out...pretty cool. I'm sure you will figure out how to make it look cool.
Thanks Yup, 10.4" touchscreen and computer. Not only does it swivel, but it slides completely over to the passenger side! At that point you can access the DVD drive behind it.
I like the firebird dash a lot...you did an incredible job, btw!
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02:21 AM
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by NotAFieroAnyLonger: Not sure about your question, Just wanted to tell you that it is looking great! Are you going to f'glass over it all or make a mold to re-sell them..??
Thanks for the compliment! I think it looks a little(read: very)awkward.
No fiberglass, no molds planned.
Ok, here's the big tip of the day. I don't know why anyone else hasn't mentioned or tried this, and I'm sure I'll see 100 wooden dases appear soon but... if you design, sand, prime and paint MDF/Hardboard properly, you can forget about fiberglassing it(inside stuff of course). As long as your joints are secure, no cracking, no problems. I'd rather start with a straight material like hardboard than mess with fiberglass for hours and hours...the difference between this dash, that is actually coming together quickly, and dash #1.
More secrets: Bondo/Bondoglass loves to stick to the wood, and the wood gobbles up automotive primer...and makes a great paintable surface(after sanding).
There are my secrets..no charge
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 05-27-2004).]
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02:35 AM
NotAFieroAnyLonger Member
Posts: 4413 From: 75762/Texas/USA Registered: Dec 2003
Yup, my magical bucket, masking tape, spring clamps, glue and 24 hours. Hardboard "gives" and holds it's shape after about a day. There are a few tricks to making it work though. Look ma...no nails or screws! Less problems after painting that way(screws/nails pulling through) ! I did have to piece the top(not happy about that) but the seam was filled with bondoglass and should be ok.
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 05-27-2004).]
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01:19 PM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
According to my bathroom scale, the original dash with air duct (for the vents) weighs 13 lb. That doesn't include the instrument cluster, or any of the console pieces. I think the front console piece is around 5 lb. I haven't weighed the instrument cluster.
[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-27-2004).]
buddy, im in commercial construction... I have some pretty good woodworking backround, but that dash is by far the most creative and intricate pieces of work I've ever seen that is even interesting... very nice... It'ts only getting better
GR8 WORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep it up... Dont stop with 1... you could start a buisness doing that... espically if you found a lighter material
------------------ 1888 Notchback, L4 (Red) **Soon To Be Donor** 1987 Notchback, L4 (White) **Work In Progress** 1977 Corvette, 350 **Setting until '87 is complete** http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/610461
[This message has been edited by 88GTFormula (edited 05-27-2004).]
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04:52 PM
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
How long have you been working on the dash approximatly ?
------------------ 1888 Notchback, L4 (Red) **Soon To Be Donor** 1987 Notchback, L4 (White) **Work In Progress** 1977 Corvette, 350 **Setting until '87 is complete** http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/610461
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04:55 PM
cjgable Member
Posts: 1198 From: Fort Worth, Tx, USA Registered: Dec 2001
Man the dash is looking good. That is a lot of work and I am sure will be a work of art when finished. Gotta say though, the weight of the wood will help your Fiero front/rear weight ratio keep up the good work! Chris
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05:51 PM
PFF
System Bot
May 28th, 2004
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by 88GTFormula: How long have you been working on the dash approximatly ?
The basic frame(underside) went together in a few days. The rest has been like one part a day...I'm half designing as I go, plus waiting for glue to dry isn't productive either...maybe a month now, a couple hours a night...if I get to it.
The real time consuming part has been trying to make it work and look decent. I'm trying to keep the sound stage the way it needs to be, and integrate a computer system into it!
I suppose when I'm done and happy with it I could just use it as a mold to make it out of fiberglass. But fiberglass doesn't tend to be the lightest stuff either,sometimes. There's another way that's easy, but I fear it won't hold up to the heat and sun exposure(heat).
I can take plenty of material off of the substructure yet(heh...keep telling myself that) I made it extra sturdy to start with so I could flex and glue all that top stuff. I'm planning to remove most of the underside of the curved top piece, which is "scored" 1/2" MDF it was scored so I could easily bend it to match the curve of the windshield. I'll drill lightening holes in everything else...the underside won't look pretty...but it doesn't have to
I'm glad you guys actually like it.
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01:17 AM
PaulJK Member
Posts: 6638 From: Los Angeles Registered: Oct 2001
I think I like it . Here's some food for thought Joe:
1. Cupholders, but I don't remember what car these came stock on
2. An audio installer once told me there was software made for people with dis-abilites who drive. This included voice-activated turn-signals, etc. Sorry, but I have no leads but maybe someone here has heard of this for your computer installation.
Keep up the good work ..
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 05-28-2004).]
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01:56 AM
Jun 1st, 2004
Joe Torma Member
Posts: 3485 From: Hillsborough, NJ USA Registered: Jul 2001
I like that cupholder idea!! I can put that on the passenger side. Unfortunately to fit the DVD drive in the dash, and make the touchscreen within reach, the center console is a bit close to the shifter. Thanks for the lead on the software!
I've started to drill lightening holes...interesting 25 1/2"holes =.5 lbs!! I think I'll save about 2-3 lbs that way. I also took out much of the unnecessary material and got it down to 23lbs. of course it's not done, but I think it'll be about 25 lbs when done which is about the SAME as the stock stuff!!! Stock dash+center console+guage cluster: 13+5+6=24lbs! Not so bad, eh?!
Some hidden lightening holes+ flange glued for guage hood:
Guage hood glued in place. I think a larger curve may have looked nicer, but this doesn't get in the way and still looks pretty good I think. I'm going to router a nice edge on the piece that surrounds the guage pod...and smooth it into the base a little. Bondo glass filling in the gaps.
One more...
[EDIT] I forgot to add in the LCD bracket weight...+6lbs oh well.
[This message has been edited by Joe Torma (edited 06-01-2004).]
Your skills are amazing. And this dash could be also a perfectly built buck for a fiberglass mold! If weight is an issue; I guess a fiberglass version will weigh less than 1/3 of the wooden trimmed version. MDF is relatively heavy and you will have to seal all wood against moisture or cracks will appear sometime later. Happened to me. But the dash is lookin' sexy!
[This message has been edited by Fie Ro (edited 06-01-2004).]
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01:52 PM
soup Member
Posts: 1572 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
I was wondering if you can give any more info on the type of wood you used to bend, the thickness, etc.
And also, how about did you bend it? Do you have a steamer? Do you just use a heat gun?
Any info would be great, cause I am having trouble with my gauge hood, I was holding off till I could find some polyurethane foam, and I was just going to shape that and then fiberglass it, but if I can just bend wood like that, it would be 100 times easier.
.......looking promising!
