Yes, why go to all that trouble.

Were the instrument panels made by an outside company and sold and shipped to the Assembly Plants?

 

Because I enjoyed the challenge.

 

I can see why you're doing it if you are doing a restoration. I believe Abe and I are both asking if anyone had any idea why Ford went to the trouble to make the cross hatch texture on the panel.
I've been around these trucks since they were new, ridden in a few, driven several, owned a couple and this thread is the first time I was aware of the pattern. I actually went out and looked at my '49 F4 to verify the pattern is there. And I've always thought I had an eye for detail and 20 20 vision, corrected.
Edit: BTW, you're doing beautiful work.

 

The only reason I can think of is maybe it did something to cut down on glare the bounced off the inside of the glass. I don't know for sure but it had to be a remedy to a problem. Ford wouldn't have wasted the time and money to do something just for ornamentation.

 

That looks great!