Might make it a biotch to install the dash cover with everything welded solid.

Josh

 

Very good point... Hmmm, not sure what I will do.

 

Got some more work done to my dash...Put the dash back into the truck just to see what it would look like. Still have some more smoothing out to do, and of course a little bondo work, but it is starting to take shape.

 

A few more pictures of the dash...Have a pretty cool idea for the guages, but waiting to see if I can pull it off...Ill keep it to myself for a while though...

Let me know what you think of the progress so far.

 

Going to get more done this afternoon...Ill post pictures later today.

 

Finished grinding down everything, and laid down a little bondo. Smoothed everything out and spray a quick coat of primer to seal everything up. Still got some sanding and a litlte more smoothing out to do, but its looking pretty good.

 

So reinstalling the dash pad isn't going to kick your *** afterall? That's pretty cool.

Josh

 

I test fitted the dash pad before I welded the passenger side up, and it will be harder to install it, but it can be done. Putting the bolts that hold the dash on will also be a bit of a pain, but again not a big deal. I am still researching my gauge options, so more to come on that.

I am still unsure on what color I want to paint the truck, so I may just paint the dash black for now. What do you think?

 

Looks like a great project and I had a comment on the black dash. I grew up around my dads 1979 F-250. The truck is red but the dash is black. Through some research I found out this was done mid year in 1979. I always liked that look combined with the rest of the black interior trim so when it came time for paint on my 1977 I painted my dash black. You can check my album for pics. I think the black dash gives the truck a little different look than most and I think it looks better.

 

Thanks for the info! I am pretty sure that I will paint the truck a bright red, and I am thinking about doing the dash black with a red dash pad and maybe even red seat...Still not 100% sure on the seat color though.

I should have the dash painted and back in the truck by tomorrow, so let me know what you think.

Again, thanks for the input.

 

Got some paint on the dash...Looks good enough for now..

 

I know this is an old thread but it is an interesting build. Just wondering if the OP is still on here and how the build ended up.

 

same here.

 

I checked his profile page and he did 69 post, the last one was 9-15-2010. I have been checking since then to see how it all came out. Maybe somebody on here knows why it stopped.

 

Looks like this is an old post, but just a note to those considering shaving the driprails - I have recently done this on one side of my truck, which is still being driven while I gradually do the bodywork and rust repairs, and it now DOES leak a little while parked in heavy rain, and it didn't before. Now, my door and window seals haven't been replaced, and I hope this should solve the problem as none of the areas the seal touches have been modified in removing the drip rails, but I do now have a leak where I didn't before. Just a word of advice! You also get a lot more rain in with the window open, whether driving or parked. You'd expect a bit more, but it's surprising just how big the difference is. I've now got to decide whether I leave it as is (assuming replacing the seals fixes the leak) or fab up a replacement gutter. It looks a lot cleaner without them though, and was not a difficult job. Also removes a major rust trap, which was part of the reason I did it in the first place.