As I noted in my last post here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...nic-gauge.html, I just won a set of 6 Aurora gauges. You can see my winning design here: http://files.thehoffmangroup.com/aur...7b41d437c5d8ad. While you're there, feel free to design a set yourself and maybe next time you'll be the winner.

I was planning on eventually building a custom dash for a full set of AutoMeter gauges, but since these are arriving next week and are free, it's pushed up the timeline a bit. Today I got started with my design on AutoCAD (I'm about a year away from being a licensed architect, so this is simple compared to some of the drawings I've done).



You can see that I'm trying to maintain the general shape of the factory panel. Each inset will be angled back to allow me to see the gauges and to retain the factory mounting of the heater controls and radio. The dashed lines are in there for reference so that I know the appropriate angles when I start to build.

I've seen other people just replace the center section where the stock gauges are, but I want something that is a little more complete, so this panel with the inserts will mount directly where the plastic bezel is now and will be more flush with the rest of the dash. It's kind of hard to describe what I mean, but the next step will reveal a lot more.

I plan on mocking my design up this weekend out of foamcore or cardboard or whatever happens to be lying around. Within the next couple weeks I will be building it out of 16 gauge steel or maybe Lexan, I haven't really decided yet.

I plan on updating this thread as I work on this, so keep watching for more details and let me know what you think.

 

That looks really nice. You might be able to make a little something if you could produce this.

 

Nice job. I like the idea of going custom but retaining some of the factory lines. Keep us posted.

Oh, congrats on the win.

 

Cool deal.

I started messing with a custom dash setup for my crew a while back, but it got put on the back burner due to other more important parts of the motor swap.

I had started messing with my design in cardboard and was planning on transferring it to Acad to have it CNC plasma cut.

I also work in cad all day (Licensed Landscape Architect - so congrats on gettin your license in Arch!), so this stuff is pretty easy for me. BUT... since you have already done the work and have the file set up - would you mind sharing it???

I will most likely only use part of it as I am doing tome other mods to fit the "water in fuel" and "wait to start" lights from the cummins diesel.

I can PM you my email address and you can send in any year cad you want.

Also - a side note from what I remember when I was making my cardboard templates and messing with this. I seem to remember the bezel/surround thing for the gauges not being square - and actually tapering off a bit as it went to one side (more towards the driver side door if I remember right). Did you find the same thing?

 

I will be willing to share the file once I have it dialed in.

I figured that the cardboard mockup would teach me more than the drawing, so I'll most likely be changing the drawing a couple of times before I'm done.

I plan on having the drawing done in CAD so I can then get the pieces cut either with a plasma or water jet or CNC, depending on what material I choose and which shop does it. I love being able to walk in, hand them my thumb drive and walk out with all the pieces cut exactly the way I want with no chance of mistakes. Sure makes fabrication a lot easier when you're not fighting poorly cut pieces.

 

I did something similar, but I replaced all of the plastic. I used aluminum. Powdercoated it. Thought the aluminum would be easier to work than the steel. Lexan is an interesting idea too.

 

You guys are on the exact same lines I am. I will be emailing my file to a buddy with a CNC plasma and having this stuff cut out of aluminum.

 

Sweet!!! Looks great, you've got to keep the pics coming. I like keeping the old lines also, tried changing mine around this winter:





The far right ones are for nitrous & fuel pressure pressure.

 

Those dashes look great. I'm currently playing with the idea of partialy painted lexen panels but need to do something special with the wiring.
I replaced the entire panel for that race look.
I've since covered the heater panel aswell
Congrate's on the win

 

Hey f100racing I love your custom terry cloth seat covers. I have a set of my own.

 

I know this is

I've since had the seat retrimed (again)
Looks better now

 

f100racing, didn't the Australian trucks come with the center rib deleted on the dash pod? That would really make shamelessMT dash pop if he could incorporate the Ford dash and his winning gauge design. By the way f100racing, really like your setup!

 

I'm trying to achieve something that's a combination of what 77460ford and f100racing have done. Those are both great dashes guys.

I'm just about to start cutting foamcore to begin mockup, so hopefully by this evening I'll have some pictures to post.

 

That is awesome, congrats on your win.

 

if I remember when I'm at the shop I'll take pics of the cardboard stuff i have so far. I am aiming for something resembling stock - but out of aluminum. It would be easier for me to make out of steel (welding steel is a bit easier), but I think aluminum would look better...