52 F1 Custom Dash
after 3 years in Tokyo, I'm finally back in Sunny Australia with my beloved truck!!!!! So my truck 'needs' to become RHD.
My previous budget solution was wood and a late Aussie Ford digital dash:

yes...it was gonna have tinted perspex over the opening to allow just the numbers to illuminate.
but I was inspired by some ideas by guys on FTE.... so....
while in Japan I acquired a 59 Pontiac Gauge cluster to use in my truck.
I intend to finish up the dash opening nicely with some rod welded in, then fill the opening with blacked out mesh to let all that goodness from the cowl vent flow on through!
Well, I finally got to put it in place for mock up and I am STOKED !!!!!

I have been toying with the idea of an old Pancho cluster for several years. I have a cluster from a 1958 Pontiac that I want to morph into my 49. I started working on it several years ago but got sidetracked. My metal skills are a little bit better now so maybe I'll try it again. Here's what I am working with;
I have cut a hunk of sheet metal to fit the cluster, now I just need to mold it to fit the dash;
I wanted to have my instrument panel looking like stock, cruised wreckers up here, but no luck, as vintage tin is very rare to find.
I'm hoping my setup works for now, but I'll keep looking for alternates.
Tom













