I may or may not try this, but I am thinking about building a custom dash for my car that would have a factory kind of look and finish, not just a simple piece of sheetmetal like a race car. Here's what I have come up with so far. I would use the original steel framework from a factory dash and mold a piece of fiberglass to bolt to it. That way I could use most of the original mounting points. My basic premise would be to add functionality to the car while also correcting it's ergonomic sins and placing the controls within easier reach than what GM did back in 1978 when these cars were first designed. I would shape a mold plug out of some stiff foam from which I would cast a mold. This mold would then be used to make the actual fiberglass base that would form the structure of the dash.
I have been analyzing several newer cars that put things within easier reach and comparing them to the original dash. I have come to a few conclusions dealing with why they are so much easier to operate but yet look good and do not detract from the feeling of space in the car. First off, they all have dash assemblies that are on average much closer to the occupants than a G body dash is. The dash covers more of the foot well area and generally have less of the steering column exposed than a typical G body by 4-6 inches. This moves all of the controls closer and in easier reach. Many of these cars also place the radio and A/C controls higher in the dash by 6 inches. This means they come closer to the driver's range of motion in the seated position with his back against the seat back.
In order for it to look right, I feel I would need to use factory bezels to trim out the different elements of the dash as well as a gauge cluster bezel and lens. There would also have to be a variety of textures and materials. I was thinking about possibly making some of these elements out of carbon fiber or real wood, with Zebrano or Burl Walnut being the obvious choices when it comes to wood. I would also need some factory air vents from another car, but would keep the G body HVAC controls and headlight switch to simplify the wiring. The defroster vents would be in the original position and hook up with the factory vents under the dash. I would also try to incorporate a GPS screen, a USB outlet for jump drives or iPod connectivity and a 110 volt outlet run off a power inverter. I may even run 2 or 3 "lighter" plugs to further aid in running other devices. I also want cup holders with adjustable size to be able to hold my various different beverage choices. Some of my other ideas include: Refrigerated cup holders that are also switchable to heated cup holders for different drinks, a refrigerated center console, rear facing HVAC vents in the back of the console, pockets for things like iPods and cell phones, Bluetooth connectivity, center channel speaker, tweeter mounts instead of the 3.5 in speakers in the original, a larger glove compartment, or a possible refrigerated compartment next to the glove box for drinks (2-4 20 oz bottles). Some of these ideas seem redundant because they are all just possible places to put things and of course would not all co-exist.
I am wide open on the actual design so far as I have not even started sketching it yet. I just wanted to post up some of my thoughts for discussion and a little brainstorming. I am still trying to figure out how to cover it with foam and then upholster it with vinyl.
I have been analyzing several newer cars that put things within easier reach and comparing them to the original dash. I have come to a few conclusions dealing with why they are so much easier to operate but yet look good and do not detract from the feeling of space in the car. First off, they all have dash assemblies that are on average much closer to the occupants than a G body dash is. The dash covers more of the foot well area and generally have less of the steering column exposed than a typical G body by 4-6 inches. This moves all of the controls closer and in easier reach. Many of these cars also place the radio and A/C controls higher in the dash by 6 inches. This means they come closer to the driver's range of motion in the seated position with his back against the seat back.
In order for it to look right, I feel I would need to use factory bezels to trim out the different elements of the dash as well as a gauge cluster bezel and lens. There would also have to be a variety of textures and materials. I was thinking about possibly making some of these elements out of carbon fiber or real wood, with Zebrano or Burl Walnut being the obvious choices when it comes to wood. I would also need some factory air vents from another car, but would keep the G body HVAC controls and headlight switch to simplify the wiring. The defroster vents would be in the original position and hook up with the factory vents under the dash. I would also try to incorporate a GPS screen, a USB outlet for jump drives or iPod connectivity and a 110 volt outlet run off a power inverter. I may even run 2 or 3 "lighter" plugs to further aid in running other devices. I also want cup holders with adjustable size to be able to hold my various different beverage choices. Some of my other ideas include: Refrigerated cup holders that are also switchable to heated cup holders for different drinks, a refrigerated center console, rear facing HVAC vents in the back of the console, pockets for things like iPods and cell phones, Bluetooth connectivity, center channel speaker, tweeter mounts instead of the 3.5 in speakers in the original, a larger glove compartment, or a possible refrigerated compartment next to the glove box for drinks (2-4 20 oz bottles). Some of these ideas seem redundant because they are all just possible places to put things and of course would not all co-exist.
I am wide open on the actual design so far as I have not even started sketching it yet. I just wanted to post up some of my thoughts for discussion and a little brainstorming. I am still trying to figure out how to cover it with foam and then upholster it with vinyl.
LAWLZ!!! Wait until you get to Calc 3, DiffyQ's Pwns JoO!11!!!!
