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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 01:05 PM
  #1  
ion's Avatar
ion
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New Dash Panel

Hey guys, I just joined today and was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with installing an after market dash. I found a company called Classic Dash and they make replacement ABS Dash Panels for the 73-79 series trucks. I am looking at this one here: Classic Dash :: Ford :: Ford Truck :: 1973-1979 :: Dashes with Auto Meter Gauges :: 1973-79 Ford Truck Carbon Fiber 6 Gauge Dash Panel with Auto Meter Gauges

It is the Carbon Fiber ABS one with Auto Meter C2 Gauges. I was wondering if anyone has heard of the company or used the dash panels before?
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 01:21 PM
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Welcome aboard.
Have not used this company but I have to say I don't like how the set up looks.
To me '73-'79 dashes are the best looking of the truck dashes. Those round gauges don't work for me.
Seems to me it's cheaper to order new gauges from Carpenter or LMC.
Now thats just my opinion and I'm an old fart so make yourself happy.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 01:55 PM
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For $1019 I think I will stay with my original instrument panel.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bamaf150
For $1019 I think I will stay with my original instrument panel.
That's pretty much what I was thinkin.
Don't want to discourage you ION but thats a lot of dough.
But if you have the money and you like it, by all means, have at it.
And don't be afraid to tell us we're full of prunes if that's what you think.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 02:14 PM
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psquare7575
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My issues with this panel are the same as the "Dolphin" panel... the gauges are "flat".

What's worse is this panel does not have chrome edging.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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Ion, search around on here. I know I have seen a guy or two who fabricated something a lot like that for aftermarket gauges. Just welded or brazed sheet metal. The gauges arent that expensive and the rest just depends on your resources. $1000 is pretty spendy for not that big of an improvement.

Lots of good stuff you can do with $1000
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 03:58 PM
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I'm actually planning on replacing the factory gauges on mine and will look similar to the one you are looking at. The difference is I am only replacing the inst. cluster by mounting the round gauges to a brushed aluminum plate that will mount at the same angle as the original cluster. If you have the means to make your own and the dash is still in good shape, I'd recommend doing this as it's costing me less than $200 to build. Just a thought, in the end it's up to you.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 04:12 PM
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Well I just got off the phone with the guys over there at Classic Dash, very nice guys and well they actually saved me about $400. They advised me to go with the Mechanical Gauge set in a brushed aluminum panel. Got it on order for 700, got them to add in a blinker kit too. Now that I look at the panel with the gauges in it, I cannot wait to get the panel and get it installed. In the end, I am very happy with my new purchase.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 04:21 PM
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wow $700.00? That seems crazy to me, but it's not my money.

Here is a link to my stainless steel dash. With gauges and everything I think I am into it for about $250.00 ~ $300.00.

$50.00 for the dash panel.

Mark

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-cluster.html
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 04:21 PM
  #10  
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Awesome.
Thats all that matters.
You'll find on this forum that we all speak our minds. It's only meant to make you think.
Take some pics when you get it in and show us how it looks.
And again,welcome.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 06:33 PM
  #11  
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I'm one of those who could NEVER see spending $700, let alone $1k on something like that. A scrap hunk of aluminum sheet and a few autometers will suite me just fine!
 
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Old Jul 29, 2011 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by ChaseTruck754
I'm one of those who could NEVER see spending $700, let alone $1k on something like that. A scrap hunk of aluminum sheet and a few autometers will suite me just fine!
If I did it would only be because every other part of the truck was finished. $1000 would pretty much cover what I want to do for my transmission and differential.

Im not unhappy with my dash though, so different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
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