for those that did custom dashboards....

[btoran]

i'm looking to replace the wood in my dashboard with a custom two piece wood dash. one piece would be for the glove box. the other piece would be for the rest of the dash (ie the gauge cluster and middle section of the current dash).

i've seen pictures of a few cars with this setup. for anyone that has done this, do you still have the templates you used for the pieces and would you be willing to share them? i can create new templates myself, but why reinvent the wheel if i don;t have to.

is it best to use real, nice wood or some cheaper wood and a veneer.

thanks.

[RRoller123]

If you veneer (which is what I did), there is no need for a template, you can add the veneer over the existing dash pieces.

Pete

[btoran]

pete - id like the dash to be a single piece from the fuel gauge on the left to the beginning of the glove box, then another single piece for the glove box. this would mean making the current 3 section setup into a 2 section setup. for that, i'd need to cut a new piece which combines the two left sections. if i veneer, i could use the existing wood for the glove box section. where did you get the veneer and how difficult was it to install?

[kmac33]

I still have the single piece wood template I used to construct mine. I'll be happy to trace it onto some poster paper and send it to you - Should be really easy for you to cut a firm template from that. That would be much cheaper than shipping the actual wood template.
For the first version of my dash, I used solid oak "plywood" with a veneer finish. This version was a basic flat "panel".

As for the construction of my current dash version, I used a thick, solid plank of mahogany, as I wanted to do a "contoured" dash. I picked the mahogany so it would match the wood of my steering wheel. I also did the "shift console wood" out of the same plank.
I carved the entire dash as one piece and only made the glove box door cut after final test fitting.


Finished dash:

[RRoller123]

Man that is nice! Great work! As requested, for those wishing to veneer, here is the best source that I have found so far. http://veneersupplies.com/

Pete

[toplessexpat]

..as I wanted to do a "contoured" dash.

That is absolutely stunning. Great, no, fabulous job!

I'm in the middle of planning my 66:33 dash. I wasn't going for the contouring though (my skills aren't up to that), although having seen yours I'm rethinking that. Also - I'm going for a gloss black "piano finish" to contrast with the wooden wheel - is that what your original dash was?

Again - lovely workmanship, the quality is incredible.

Andy

[jclarkey]

I still have the single piece wood template I used to construct mine. I'll be happy to trace it onto some poster paper and send it to you - Should be really easy for you to cut a firm template from that. That would be much cheaper than shipping the actual wood template.

I would love a copy of that template as well if you dont mind. My goal is to redo the dash the same way this winter. Hopefully in doing so I can source the electrical issues that I am having.

[kmac33]

Thanks for the compliments!
The "original" flat panel was very close to a "piano black finish", but still allowed the grain pattern to show through. Looked really nice in the sunlight. When I did the latest version, I was trying to come close to the same color as the wheel. In person, it matches better than it does in pictures.
If you want to give the contoured dash a shot, I'm sure you can manage it if I could!

Anyone that wants a paper copy of the one piece template, just PM me your address and I'll mail you one.

[btoran]

Kevin - PM sent. Outstanding work on both dashes. Really beautiful. Thanks for helping out with my (and others) project. Will be sure to post pictures when i'm finished.

[georgeramos]

Kevin that contoured dash is rockin! Amazing design work and excellent execution, Id love a paper template too!

[kmac33]

Templates are on the way. Hope they are helpful!

[btoran]

Kevin - I'm sure they will be. Thanks much!

[jclarkey]

Much appreciated!

[georgeramos]

Got my template, thanks Kevin. Im thinking of making a few of these, would anyone be interested in buying one? Depending on the wood type maybe $300-350...?

Also, Kevin how did you mount the glovebox door? Did you install the threaded inserts at the original spacing? I would guess thats the way to go but Ive often wondered how accurate the factory was in that spacing...?

Thanks again

[btoran]

kevin - i received my template as well. thanks very much.