Dash Cluster Fabrication
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Dash Cluster Fabrication
I have an 1986 Ford F250 XLT 4x4. I would like to have an new dash cluster fabricated with new gauges. I am looking at Auto Meter gauges. I have only found one company that seems to do this, www.haneline.com in California. I added a web page to my site with pictures of what I wanted to be made, so I could make sure that I sent the right parts to be copied. I called and they could not take the time to go to my site and even verify that they could make what I wanted. They wanted me to make a template and send to them, but how can I do that, if I don't know what to make a template of. Not eager to try them.
I would like to have my dash and radio bezels fabricated out of Stainless Steel. I would also like to have my dash cluster created with SS. I have bought extra parts, a spare cluster and the bezels to send to someone that makes these, so that they are able to know exactly what to recreate, and not have me try to get the proper measurements for a template and end up with something useless.
If anyone knows where I can get this done, I would appreciate finding them. Thanks for any help.
86F250
I would like to have my dash and radio bezels fabricated out of Stainless Steel. I would also like to have my dash cluster created with SS. I have bought extra parts, a spare cluster and the bezels to send to someone that makes these, so that they are able to know exactly what to recreate, and not have me try to get the proper measurements for a template and end up with something useless.
If anyone knows where I can get this done, I would appreciate finding them. Thanks for any help.
86F250
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
Dash Cluster Fabrication
What exactly do you want them to make with SS? If you pull the cluster apart, you could have them make the mat that goes between the clear cover and the tray that all the gauges go in out of SS and have that look, but MAN - I'd hate to try to drive with the sun over my shoulder or out the passenger window! :-X23 The glare would be MISERABLE! 
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Dash Cluster Fabrication
I'm not exactly sure, that is why I wish they had just looked at my pictures and told me, since that is what they do. I would really like to have the SS be brushed, so the glare wouldn't be bad. It couldn't be polished, since I would end up on top of a car the first time the sun hit it and blinded me. 
I guess I need the Gauge plate done. What I would really like, is to have a whole new dash cluster done using the existing plastic electrical circuit on the back of the cluster, but I doubt anyone can do that. I would love to just be able to plug the existing plug in. I also want the entire dash and radio bezel fabricated. Currently the truck interior is gray, but I am changing everything to black and would like the inside to match the outside with black and silver (chrome, SS and polished aluminum).
Thanks.
I guess I need the Gauge plate done. What I would really like, is to have a whole new dash cluster done using the existing plastic electrical circuit on the back of the cluster, but I doubt anyone can do that. I would love to just be able to plug the existing plug in. I also want the entire dash and radio bezel fabricated. Currently the truck interior is gray, but I am changing everything to black and would like the inside to match the outside with black and silver (chrome, SS and polished aluminum).Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Dash Cluster Fabrication
You have several options:
1) Pay a LOT to have a fabrication shop try to produce what you want, but you won't find one with the attention to detail it sounds like you want.
2) Pay even MORE for a customizing shop to produce it, but you still probably won't get exactly what you want.
3) Buy some SS self-adhesive tape (like from JC Whitney) and cover your existing plastic however you like.
4) Buy some SS sheet metal, some metalworking tools, & DIY.
Personally, I'd go with #4!
1) Pay a LOT to have a fabrication shop try to produce what you want, but you won't find one with the attention to detail it sounds like you want.
2) Pay even MORE for a customizing shop to produce it, but you still probably won't get exactly what you want.
3) Buy some SS self-adhesive tape (like from JC Whitney) and cover your existing plastic however you like.
4) Buy some SS sheet metal, some metalworking tools, & DIY.
Personally, I'd go with #4!
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Dash Cluster Fabrication
Well, Haneline did get back in touch with me. And asked where my web page was. I gave them the info and they went and checked out what I wanted. They told me that they could not do anything that intricate. So I will go to Home Depot this weekend and get some sheet metal and see if I can make something myself. If I am able to, then I will try to get some SS and do it out of that, or maybe aluminum. I will probably need to find someone who can weld either or both to make it look nice, if I am able to get it right. Oh, well. I'll see how handy I am with sheet metal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Dash Cluster Fabrication
I know a place here that does laser cutting and they do VERY intricate designs in thin metal. If you can lay it out in a precise drawing & e-mail it to me, I'll try to go by there in the next week or so and ask them what it would take to produce it. I can't remember the name of the place, but I know where it is and it's a long drive from my normal route, so it may take me a while.
[link:maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=&city=Memphis&state=TN&csz=M emphis,+TN&slt=35.148769&sln=90.045456&zip=&countr y=us&BFKey=&BFCat=&BFClient=&cs=7&name=&desc=&poit itle=&poi=&uz=38103&ds=n&mlt=35.124001&mln=90.0146 69&mag=9&newmag=10|LINK TO SITE]
URL edited by Administration to narrow the page as the URL was way too long
[link:maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=&city=Memphis&state=TN&csz=M emphis,+TN&slt=35.148769&sln=90.045456&zip=&countr y=us&BFKey=&BFCat=&BFClient=&cs=7&name=&desc=&poit itle=&poi=&uz=38103&ds=n&mlt=35.124001&mln=90.0146 69&mag=9&newmag=10|LINK TO SITE]
URL edited by Administration to narrow the page as the URL was way too long
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