Cant wait to see the finished product.
Build up pictures
- Thread starter Sir Percival
- Start date
OK, so the dash has been trial fitted and after much trimming and juggling, now fits a treat. The next issue was starting to fit the switch gear, the most awkward to physically fit being the light switch. Because of the way the switch works (pull out once for sidelights and then again for headlights plus twist the knob for increase/decrease switchgear illumination) it is hard to fit into the new dash.
This is because it is recessed into the mouldings of the original dash, by the drivers vent eyeball and, if mounted flush on the new dash, has a lot of travel outwards and would stick out too far.
So to make it work I first cut the switch knob in half;
Then the end with the recessed nut in it was pushed and glued into the other end, thus shortening it;
Then I fitted a block of wood behind the dash, drilled it, and pushed the cut off retainer from the old dash over the light switch shaft, I also filled the empty inside of the light switch knob with a cut down old bump stop I had lying about and placed some small grommets over the shaft, to give it some support, as the retaining screw is now at the far end;
Then the switch unit was pushed through the hole in the wood and the old retaining sleeve glued in. This means that the switch unit is still removable should it ever conk out;
Now only a small amount sticks out if you pull the switch all the way out for headlights. I have ordered a soft rubber concertina sleeve (as used on radio control actuator shafts) and all I need to do is unscrew the silver knob and slide the concertina over the shaft, then when the switch is pulled to its furthest extent the shaft of it will be covered.
Did another trial fit of the dash and there is plenty of room to get to both the switch unit and the plug.
It sounds quick now but this has taken me about three days of head scratching to work out....one of the joys of a kit car, each unique problem requires a unique solution (and a garage full of junk often comes in handy)
This is because it is recessed into the mouldings of the original dash, by the drivers vent eyeball and, if mounted flush on the new dash, has a lot of travel outwards and would stick out too far.
So to make it work I first cut the switch knob in half;
Then the end with the recessed nut in it was pushed and glued into the other end, thus shortening it;
Then I fitted a block of wood behind the dash, drilled it, and pushed the cut off retainer from the old dash over the light switch shaft, I also filled the empty inside of the light switch knob with a cut down old bump stop I had lying about and placed some small grommets over the shaft, to give it some support, as the retaining screw is now at the far end;
Then the switch unit was pushed through the hole in the wood and the old retaining sleeve glued in. This means that the switch unit is still removable should it ever conk out;
Now only a small amount sticks out if you pull the switch all the way out for headlights. I have ordered a soft rubber concertina sleeve (as used on radio control actuator shafts) and all I need to do is unscrew the silver knob and slide the concertina over the shaft, then when the switch is pulled to its furthest extent the shaft of it will be covered.
Did another trial fit of the dash and there is plenty of room to get to both the switch unit and the plug.
It sounds quick now but this has taken me about three days of head scratching to work out....one of the joys of a kit car, each unique problem requires a unique solution (and a garage full of junk often comes in handy)
I would have binned the whole rheostat light switch set up to be honest and used something else, does it mater that you then can't dim the instrument panel?
Now you tell me.........
Be careful with the rheostat, and using a piece of wood to space it. They are prone to shorting our and burning up! @pgunter can give you a bit more info than I.
That was originally an agree David, because you beat me to that comment mate. Don't know what happened there.
Tony.
I have given the rheostat a good visual and a squirt of electrolube, should be fine.
Just be careful with it. They do get very warm and need a bit of ventilation too.
Thanks, will do....plenty of space around it.
Dashboard and instrument re-positioning coming on nicely. Wiring for tacho and speedo just about finished along with fog light switches, new heater fan control, wiring for new senders, wiring for central instruments and hand brake re-positioned.
Instrument PCB is still used along with the three main plugs, this has been attached in position to fit under the new dash.
Instrument PCB is still used along with the three main plugs, this has been attached in position to fit under the new dash.
Oh and steering lock cut off and re-profiled to allow new steering shaft cowling to be fitted.
Ignition loom lengthened to reach the new central position and electric boot release laid in.
Ignition loom lengthened to reach the new central position and electric boot release laid in.
I wouldn't have the patience to do that Dino. Can't wait to see the finished article.
Tony.
Tony.
From the man @ t-tony who solders every wire joint!! No patience be damned!! JIM
Thanks all, I suppose it does require patience...I think of it more of a gentle plod...you do one little job, feel satisfied with that, then move on to the next little job, and in not too long a time...you've done a lot of jobs...then the end comes in sight, and boosts you again.
Don't get me wrong I prefer driving the car to working on it...but when the weather is crap I would rather work on it than watch rubbish on the telly....it's a hobby....completion is not a life or death matter.....although they do say hobbies are one of the best things to stave off dementia...which reminds me, where's me trousers?
Don't get me wrong I prefer driving the car to working on it...but when the weather is crap I would rather work on it than watch rubbish on the telly....it's a hobby....completion is not a life or death matter.....although they do say hobbies are one of the best things to stave off dementia...which reminds me, where's me trousers?
By the way....can anyone put me on to someone on the forum, or a company, that can do laser printing?
I don’t think they can laser print trousers (well ones you can wear anyway)...
I think I may be suffering from the problem already.....I meant to say 3D printing.....not laser....trousers may be possible after all.