Dash Modification

[Big Blue 72]

And thanks Rob. Yes, it has crossed my mind whether there could be a market for the same kind of panel I put on my truck. But I don't have the shop or machinery to make it feasible to replicate it. I do think it'd be something that others would buy though if someone could.

I know Ranchero50 has his machine shop and metal fabrication talent due to all the dome light and aluminum upgrade pieces he's made. Maybe it's something he'd be interested in trying to produce. With his shop maybe he could produce a "blank" panel, then people could drill holes in it depending on what they wanted to install in the particular area.....gauges, air vents, a radio, knobs, dials, a clock? I don't know how cost effective it would be though.

[1969FordMan]

Its not a factory ac, but I think if one didnt know what the factory AC looked like they wouldnt be able to tell. From what I think its designed for truck without AC, so nothing runs through the dash. I like how it simply bolts under the dash, and with the $895 price tag I think its very resonable.

Your AC install looks AWESOME. I love the brushed aluminum.

[71cc]

Which Vintage Air unit did you use? I bought a Gen IV unit last year for my camaro and was impressed with the control and quality improvements they have made. If anyone has experience with vacuum molding the lower panel could be fabbed inexpensively with hair cell plastic sheeting. Material cost would be low and labor minimal once a wood buck is made.

[Big Blue 72]

I can't remember what model Vintage Air unit I have. I think I bought it around 2005. Gen IV sounds familiar. I'm VERY happy with their unit and extremely happy with the way it turned out. It heats and cools the truck better than I expected. The only thing I didn't like was having to gut everything, fabricating brackets to make things fit, and wrestling with running new hoses everywhere. There's very limited room to run the hoses they give you once you start getting around the radio, heater controls, and the main A/C unit that mounts to the firewall. I basically have no glovebox to speak of. With that being said, I'd still recomend "Vintage Air" units to those wanting to install one.

[Sparx Macgyver]

I'm curious, can you mount the heat-a/c controls they give you in the stock location? Just looking to save some hassle down the line when I start this stuff.

[Note: it's still awayd off. At least a year. just doing planning in advance.]

[Big Blue 72]

I was able to fit their controls into the area where my old heater controls were. I removed the old control panel, kept the perimeter but cut out the center, then fit the "new" dials onto a piece of aluminum and inserted it into the center of the old control panel. I wanted to keep it as "stock" looking as possible.

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[Sparx Macgyver]

Nice! I really like the look of your set-up.

[Hiroshi]

This is inspiring!

[CrypticRacer13]

looks amazing man, id love the part number for the light if you still have them

[CNM67]

Man oh man that thing is clean!

[hedz]

you did a fine job. i'll take two of those panels please. incorporating your gauges and the decal with the vents is slick

[sargentrs]

Great work! Love the look.

[hdpusher]

Very Nice. Great use of availiable space with the guages too.

[71PA_Highboy]

About the only change I can think of is to round the edge where the e-brake handle comes thru. Otherwise, its beautiful!

[guerra]

That turned out real good! I missed this post two years ago..He did a good job on it,