Look for suggestions, building complete Aluminum Dash for an Expo rig

[aslostasyou]

Looking for some feedback here. I've dialed my Discovery back from a heavy wheeling rig to more of a destination vehicle. It's stripped and still really beefy but I want to use it for more long distance type stuff rather than hard-core offorading/wheeling events. Which brings me to the dash design. It's currently gutted and I plan on building a template out of wood to turn into aluminum for the final product. I'm willing to take time to make some intricite pieces, that's part of the fun and an excuse to learn how to tig weld.

I've scowered the net and I can find plenty of "race" dash ideas but they all look too plain or cheap. I don't want to stick a sheet of aluminum in there and call it a day.. I want to build somethign with some class and style and still have functionality. The Tomb Raider Defender dash comes to mind as an idea. I have some checkerplate that I can use for accent pieces as well.

Starting on the drivers side I'd like to build up a gauge cluster similar to the one in the photo. I plan on voltage, temp, fuel level, oil pressure, air fuel and rpm. Speedo will come from the 276c Garmin center mounted so drive and navi can reach it with ease. Main switches will go on this cluster as well, ignition, push button start, fuel pump, etc..

I have a CB radio and HAM that I am unsure if I should integrate into the center console I'm building or, if I should put them up high between the roll-cage frame. I'm going to build a secure console similar to a Tuffy aft of the parking brake since the Rover plastic bits have been pulled. Do you think CB, CD and HAM would be too much in a single spot? There is quite a bit of room from my measuring. Do those really need to be forward facing? Part of me says yes for tuning while rolling... Thoughts?

I plan on building a "center" of the dash that will come down at an angle towards the dog box and look clean to break apart the driver/pass sides. Behind this will sit a Flex-a-light Mojave heater pointed up towards the windshield integrated into the top of the dash.

Not as detailed as this obviously but you get the idea.

On the pass side I plan on building an oh-**** bar and a locking glove blox in the lower portion.

Aside from that I'm open to suggestions, thoughts or ideas from the overlanding crowd. What do you use all the time that you wish was in arms reach? Winch switches, lights, etc? How would you mock it up? Is wood a stupid idea? Things like that...

Thanks everyone!

 

[ntsqd]

The Geiser Bros. are known for their more involved if not intricate desert race vehicle dashes. I doubt any of their designs would work directly for you, but there might be something there that inspires you. Check out both the projects page and the what's new pages.
(Pages are oddly formatted in Firefox, if no pics then scroll right.)

Re: radios. If tuning them while moving is a requirement then their faces will want to face you so that you can continue to drive while glancing down occasionally to check tuning/operation progress.
Mobile 2M ham radios can generate significant heat, so free air flow around them is important. My V8000 has it's own fan mounted right on the heat sink. As long as there is the ability for air flow it is happy, though more open the better as the fan wouldn't have to run as often. It's turn-on point is also programmable from what I understand. Would not surprise me if other radios with fans on them are similar.

Glare shield the gauges!

Wood makes a great buck if you are planning on formed or rolled edges, or to check fit against.

Plan on several (at least!) power points/ciggy light sockets. I never seem to have enough of them.

A feature that I added to the YJ from Hell that, while not really dash specific was part of the dash reconstruction, was some LED courtesy lights. We had one under each end of the dash, one in the glove box, one in the center Tuffy box, and one under the Tuffy box for rear floor lighting. Since the YJ had door switches they were put on that circuit replacing the stock lights, but they don't need to be. Could just be on a switch or switches someplace handy.

 

[lowenbrau]

Good idea. I have only one comment. I added some gauges on top of my dash and didn't estimate the impact of the glare from the lights in them. I need to make a shield to make sure the lights in the gauges doesn't make it to the inside of the windscreen. You can just make out the reflection in this picture and it is annoyingly in your focus area in bad weather.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Alum dash

I'm too lazy to find the thread, but there is a thread on a custom bodied Land Cruiser build done by a guy in Canada on a FJ60 frame. Pretty much everything but the Vin # was alu.

 

[aslostasyou]

Really? Maybe someone can recall his name. I'll start digging... Thanks!

 

[lowenbrau]

newcruiser.ca

Nice guy named Robin. I can't remember his wife's name. They've been working on and traveling with this rig fro quite some time. I thought at first it might be a flash in the pan but it has seemed to work out for them.

 

[gjackson]

I guess the grass is always greener: you are looking at Defender dash designs for your Disco and I'm currently working on putting a disco 1 binnacle in a Defender a la Tom Sheppard! Too funny!

With an all alu dash I'd really be worried about glare as others have mentioned. You could always anodize it though.

As far as ergonomics are concerned I'm with you. I don't think that anything off the shelf offered the complete solution for overland vehicles. I plan on putting every switch within very easy reach as well as radios, stereo etc.

Looking forward to seeing your build.

cheers

 

[UK4X4]

Dam I hate glare and reflection on the windscreen, Its one of my pet driving hates...why why why do companies make the shiny dash polish.....

Armorall matt for me

Alu is great to work with, mocking up, I'd use foam boards from a craft shop and tape.

A quick rattle can pass with matt black would work great...rub down first......
or satin best as its wipe down...

i've found matt to eat fine dust and never clean

 

[aslostasyou]

Wow, that LC build is absolutely stunning! I spent some time on their site last night. That's the stuff dreams are made out of....

I agree on the glare, the plan would be to build it out of aluminum and then paint or powercoat it. If I can manage to build it in two or three sections that are removable I would rather powdercoat than paint. For durability.

I'm really taking a 180 on my Disco. At first it was going to continue as a wheeler and I'm sure eventually get hacked and cracked into some sort of a buggy but after tossing ideas up and around for a year I've settled on keeping it the way it is and making it more overland friendly. It's a great platform and it's got so much work done already. I just need to finish it poperly.

My father is coming into town for a 4-day weekend beginning the 18th of this month and we'll be mocking it up. I'll be sure to take lots of photos and keep everyone informed. Should be a fun project!

 

[aslostasyou]

Gram,

That's too funny!! Some-day I'll work hard and save enough to build my dream Defender. Right now it's just not in the cards and I need to dance with the girls I've got....so to speak.

I guess the grass is always greener: you are looking at Defender dash designs for your Disco and I'm currently working on putting a disco 1 binnacle in a Defender a la Tom Sheppard! Too funny!

With an all alu dash I'd really be worried about glare as others have mentioned. You could always anodize it though.

As far as ergonomics are concerned I'm with you. I don't think that anything off the shelf offered the complete solution for overland vehicles. I plan on putting every switch within very easy reach as well as radios, stereo etc.

Looking forward to seeing your build.

cheers

 

[SafariPacific]

My brother does aluminum work, and he does come up with some cool stuff. Here are a couple shots of a dash he did on a sand rail. The center piece is the size of a lowrance gps. Just an idea...

 

[aslostasyou]

:Wow1:

Wow! That's some amazing work! Not sure if what I do will look anywhere near that nice but it's great for inspiration.

If there is any chance I could ping him with a few questions that would be awesome. I don't know the first thing about tig welding and plan to learn as I go.