I am in the process of installing a Dakota Digital instrument cluster in my 56 and I am having a real problem with the 5 screws that hold the bezel in the dashboard. After a lot of time and effort I have the dash smooth and free of extraneous holes, dents, and switches but those 5 large screws that hold the instrument cluster in place have just got to go.
Has anyone else found a better way to mount the instrument cluster that doesn't involve using exposed screwheads???

 

My bezel had the mounting holes in the back of it, it was a PITA trying to reach up under there to put the screws in, a tab would fall or I would drop a screw. If your bezel is thick enuff you could try that, all you would have to do is tap you a set of holes and make some tabs and do it from behind. This is a quick picture so you can see what I mean. Basically the bezel and the tabs sandwiched the dash itself so there isn't any screws showing. Please don't make fun of my horrible attempt at drawing lol...

 

or would it be possible to weld threade studs in where the screw holes are and then slide the istrument cluster over them and fits some washers and nuts? Hope thats kinda clear..... John

 

Thanks but that dash insert is for a 53-55, the 56 is different. Here is a pic of a 56 dash showing the 3 screws that go up through the top of the bezel and the 2 screws that go through the dash and into the lower portion of the bezel.

 

Years ago we (Bobco) made an aluminum dash insert for the 56's. Classic Performance Products has a version of it now. It has holes that are tapped into the backside of the aluminum face and on the top of the aluminum brow and you use 10/32 studs and nuts to mount the insert from behind. I requires cutting the bottom of the dash opening for gauge clearence, but it's a bitchen looking dash insert. Installing the top 2 mounting studs and nuts is a complete PITA, but I always thought it was worth the trouble.
With the Dakota, your kinda stuck with the stock bezel though. You can't weld studs to the top because you'll never get it in. Would you settle for polished 10/32 countersunk allen screws?

 

I am familiar with the Bobco insert but as you say I am "kinda stuck" with the stock bezel. Actually it is my preference to use the stock bezel as it keeps the "bling level" a bit lower. While I like the modern conveniences I still like to keep the look somewhat OEM...just cleaner.
Here is what I did today with the stock bezel. I eliminated the lower section and will replace it with a panel that covers the entire backside of the cluster. The template for this panel is drawn on the paper behind the bezel. The panel will have a 90 degree bend across the bottom forming a flange that will be bolted to a flange on the backside of the dash. This should be plenty of support for the lower portion of the cluster and will eliminate the two lower screws. Now I just need to find a way to support the top of the bezel so that I can get rid of the upper 3 screws. While working on this panel I found another use for it...it will provide an excellent mounting surface for the Dakota controller box.

 

This is how I installed my gauges that eliminated those screws Charlie.

 

That looks awesome!! and will really look good when painted!!

 

That is a sweet setup, one of the nicest I have seen using the round gauges.

 

I was wondering if you could use some velcro to hold the trim piece on your gauge cluster, and thanks for the compliment.

 

You could just bond the whole assembly inplace with some structural adheisive. The same stuff body shops use to glue panels on the new cars. The gauge assembly would have to be servicable from the back, but the cluster itself would stay put forever. We've use it for years gluing on our wheel tubs to the bedsides. No welding warpage and it takes dynamite to remove.

 

So I went over to Direct Sheetmetal this morning and had Dave bend up a piece of 16 ga for me. I cut it to the shape of the instrument cluster and got it rough fit. I still need to contact Dakota Digital to see how much air flow their display needs but right now I am looking at sealing the unit up to keep the dust/bugs out. There will be a piece of angle metal mounted to the backside of the dash right under this bezel assembly and it should support the total weight without the top fasteners...I'll see when I get to that point. There is a control module that goes with the digital dash and I think that this new bezel cover will be a good place to mount it.

 

Nice! i`ve got a dacota kit off a 51 f1 i bought new cheap off ebay a few years ago that i`m going to retrofit into some type of cluster when i decide what dash i`ll be running, looking forward to your build!