Ok, well I am not to happy right now. I removed my dash gauge bezel thing- the plastic part that is supposed to be chrome, and black. Mine was not in good condition and annoyed me, so I planned on giving it a little paint job. I sanded it down which was not fun, then I brought out the silver and black paint. Well, its turning out horrible! I am not to happy right now. Dennis Carpenter offers a new one for $125, junkyards around here havent produced much. This is one of the last minor details I need to fix before my truck is top notch. I have heard of companies that make an aftermarket diamond plate, or brushed aluminum bezel, for aftermarket gauges. Does anyone know about these? Or a good technique for reviving this one that is making me very angry??? PLease help
Tristin

 

Have you checked the classifieds here ?
Or Here?

www.automotiveswap.com

 

try this thread - I asked the same basic question a couple of weeks ago. Some folks had some ideas...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...threadid=47439

Pat

 

Go to a hobby shop and get plastic primer, plastic paint, plastic clearcoat. Get wet sand paper, start wet sanding with 100/120 and finish with 400-600 grit. Dry off with lint free cloth and let sit for a day. Then prime it, let sit for a day, use multiple light paint coats, and then multiple clear coats.

 

I plan on making an aluminum one. Another way to go would be a nice piece of walnut. I hate plastic.

 

I hate plastic as well but if you need a
replacement there are generally one or two up at most times on e-Bay. Even a couple NOS the other day. If you can find one a great option is the instrument cluster from an F600. Not sure what all years are but I know like a '69 has a stamped steel instrument bezel with standard round gauges and the steel instrument bezel will bolt right in where the plastic came out! Easy to paint and east to maintain! It is a really easy upgrade that looks hot when you swap out stock gauges for Stewart-Warner, Autometer, etc... So run down to uncle Pete's back forty and rob that dash! While your at it better check into the sending units for the gauges unless you go big and replace straight off with after market stuff. If he has two, get one for me as well. I have one already in one of my '70 trucks but need one for the other. I have photos once the Gallery is up again which I plan to post. If that takes too long I guess I will need to take on developing a home page for my truck. I will re-post and direct you to the photo of the dash I am talking about ASAP for all to see. Remeber if you find two your ol' buddy WR turned ya on to it and he could use the extra one. Good luck whichever way you go.

 

All 67-79 F500 or larger truck bezels will work. The hardest thing to find is one with a tachometer. You would be absolutley shocked at how EASY these things are to find!!! Almost every junkyard has 2 or 3 of these old trucks sitting in them.

Ken

 

I sanded mine with 1000 grit then rattle canned it with silver. After that dryed I used Testors flat black brush on paint on the parts that are suposed to be black. Once all the paint was dry (24 hours min) I used that mylar pinstripe tape You can get at any auto parts store and added the chrome high lights. It almost looks original except it has no overspray on the black spots.

 

Thanks guys. I think I will check out E-Bay and that other link someone posted. The ones for sale on this sites classifieds are all in about the same condition as mine. I dont really like how it looks though, and had though of fabricating one from aluminum. The basic shape wouldnt be that hard, and it would be nice to fill it with some nice AutoMeter gauges- matching 5' speedo and tach. Those ones out of an F500-600 look really good though, and thats sure to be original. Just curious, what does one look like? I have only really seen or heard much about the F-100, F-250....as far as F500 I am clueless. I will make some calls to junkyards though. Thanks again
Tristin

 

Someone came up with a couple picts of the F500-600 dash under the thred titled "Dash Restoration" if you want to see the H/D truck version. Mine is like the painted of the two that show. I have cut the remaining circular blank and have a matching clock mounted. Color is your option with the painted, I imagine a factory chrome one might be hard to find. Keep in mind nice after market gauges really set it off. If you want to see a pic of my completed F600 dash provided your e-mail and I will be glad to send couple.

 

Thanks for the offer on pictures, I have seen a few though. I was asking about the actual F500 truck. I was just curious on how big it was, engine size, and those things. I thought something that big was usually just a flat bed. Any answer, thanks.
Tristin
http//:

 

The F500 F600 Etc. are cab and chassy from Ford and built to what specs. the owner has for their use by independant companys. You see these mid-size trucks every day as phone company lieman trucks, dump trucks, and yes even flat beds. They come with industrial engines of many sizes, many of which you are familiar with already, however built differently for H/D service. These vehicles are often overlooked as a source of parts for light duty applications but are really the same nuts and bolts that hold our trucks together in many instances. Vehicle manufactures use an existing pattern for a part whenever and whever possible to maximize profits. More profits for them = more parts for us!

 

Ken is right, I went looking for these units today and found several. I even found one with a tach. They seem to come with either the tach on the right, or the vacuum gauge on the left, but not both. I'm gonna get two, and add the tach to the one with the vac. gauge.

 

pward...

Thanks for agreeing with me. If ya find 2 with tachs...email me at

kenandko(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

I'd gladly take one off your hands!!!


Ken

 

I found a company that makes a stainless steel bezel for our 67-72 trucks. It's docsbolts.com. They said the current one for ours is out of production, but they coming out with a new one in march or so.

http://www.docsbolts.com/catalog/For...ash_Panels.htm

Everyone email them and tell them your interest so that is for sure produced!!