LOVE THAT OVERHEAD CONSOLE! I want to use that idea soooo badly. Mind if I steal your concept but use it as my own?

Very nice dash too, I wouldn't mind knowing how you got your dash so clean looking (the process behind what you did, I know you used factory clamps and what not).

 

I am glad i could help.

 

<TABLE width="100%" border=0 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top width="100%" itxtvisited="1">Thanks for the compliment Aaron! Of course you can copy the idea, I don't mind in the least! The overhead console can be had from LMC Truck, NPD, any of the big parts sellers. It actually fits really well and has a textured finish that goes well with other interior pieces. It uses the factory headliner trim to mount. The radio block off plate is just aluminum sheet stock (think slightly thicker than a road sign) cut and contoured to match the radio area. The frame for the radio has been trimmed on the upper and lower leading edges to mirror the holes in the block off plate. This allows the instrument panel to be set in place, the gauges to engage the radio plate behind the dash and then locked in with the autometer gauge tabs. If you try it, take your time and really think about the cuts. If you are off slightly the instrument panel won't line up. You can fit three gauges in the spot as there is enough room, I just wanted the two.
As for the tach it was just a straight measure and cut with a little extra time taken to make sure it was perfectly centered in the chrome trim frame.

I've found two ways that work very well for me in cleaning delicate areas like instruments. First is steam, not a lot of it just enough to warm the area you are cleaning to the touch. Holding the part 16 - 18" above a boiling kettle then gently wiping the surface with a soft lint free cloth (I use a dedicated chamois for this) works wonders on lifting years of crud and stains off surfaces. You may need to make more than a few passes depending on level of crudiness but you'll be suprised at how much dirt lifts right off. You'd actually swear you never thought the part was THAT dirty!
Second is soapy water but don't use the water. I know that sounds weird but what you want are the bubbles on top of the water. A toothbrush or soft bristle brush coated in the soapy bubbles worked into the area you are trying to clean is also good for delicate spots. Again use a soft lint free cloth to wipe clean.

I know there will be some thinking and I'm not saying it's for everyone but, I can tell you for fact, the gauge cluster you see in my post sat in my truck's dash in a farm field for years without the lens cover in place.
The gauge needles are just repainted with some translucent paint I picked up from www.whitegauges.net to match the speedo needles in the Sunpro and Autometers. The biggest and yet one of the most subtle changes is the painting of the cluster surround from silver to black.

If anybody is curious, Duplicolor DE1634 is a semi gloss mopar black but is a dead on match for the trim in the Ford dash!

 

My set up for the tach. Its easier to see then you might think.


Gauges outside on the cab. I like the factory dash set up. I also like a lot of the other peoples custom set ups as well.


Headliner pics for the headliner guys.


Shifter and center counsel, just to finish of the interior pics lol.

 

offroadracer did you wire the speakers so that both on the left were left and both on the right were right? or did you wire the very far left one as left the next one as right the next one as left and the last one as right? I wish they made that with only 2 speakers so I wouldn't have to debate that forever.

 

You know...I wasn't going to put a headliner in my truck when I restore it, but after seeing this, I think I will. It solves the issue of speaker space, and radio space, as I want to put some gauges where the factoy radio is. Thanks for the pic I'm just kinda wishing it wasnt $250 + shipping

 

I wired it left and right for each side. So you get stereo on each side. So I wired it the very far left one as left the next one as right the next one as left and the last one as right. I think it was the best way to do it.



Glad you like it. I think there was another part of the headliner that came with it for holding a radio. I didn't use it cause the CB is so big. It would work well for hiding the back side of a radio.

 

Is that a Grant Challenger steering wheel with a real horn button? I have the grant wheel, and hate the horn button in it, my horn decides to beep when ever it wants, which is bad when I have it switched to the air horns....

I want to put a real button on there, but havn't found one

 

I don't have any pictures, but have put a 2 guage panel in place of the ash tray. Most will fit without even drilling new holes. Take out the frame for the ash tray and screw in your guage panel. Very clean looking if you are wanting to do 2 guages. Mounting the tach on the column with a hose clamp is great and the screw can be hidden pretty easily.

 

I got the Ford horn button for it when I got the wheel. Its been a while so I don't recall if I got it from Jegs or Summit. But it was in the Grant section and an option for the wheel.

 

Here's a pic of the sunroof, haven't had time to get out and snap a shot and load it up and all.

 

 

Thanks so much! I can't believe how awesome it looks. AND IT LOOKS OEM (the cluster, not the gauges)!

I need to save or copy your post so I remember how to do this and what I'm doing!

I have a question about what you did with the heater controls and the air controls.

What the heck happened to them? Are they the controls that will stick through your re-created gauge/radio panel?

I'm guessing the answer is yes and that your stereo controls will be part of the overhead console, but I just wanted to know what's all up with that.

Also, doesn't anyone think that having an overhead console with a decent stereo in it is a bad idea? I mean, plastic is easy enough to break and I really hate getting broken into just to get the stereo ripped out... It's a pain in the **** if you ask me...
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Aaron-71, I believe the heater controls for 25aniv are still in the same place. When you pull the dash the heater controls are still bolted in:



You can tidy them up with a little work, here is one of many ways:

 

Nice! I like how you cleaned it up a bunch. Hey, a question... does your lighter start button really work?

I was interested in doing something like that so my truck is much much harder to steal.