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Technical Assembling 32 Dash and Tunnel?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 53OlderThanMe, Jun 3, 2019.

  1. So I had a bright idea to put a 1932 Ford Truck dash in my 1930 Model A Coupe. After purchasing a decent 32 truck dash with the stainless ring around the dash cluster intact, I bought a 32 dash cluster with the tunnel legs removed. Never having seen a 32 dash assembled in person I wrongly assumed the tunnel was there simply to add extra bracing to the dash not what actually held the instrument cluster in place.

    Since its now obvious the 32 dash cluster does not inset into the dash...

    Any suggestions on how I can attach the cluster to the dash without the tunnel legs?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Garpo
    Joined: Jul 16, 2016
    Posts: 292

    Garpo

    The cluster is a little larger than the hole, might be possible to tack weld a couple of screws to the rear of the dash, drill matching holes in the ends of the panel. then just slide the panel in from behind, and a couple of wing nuts -- done.
    Garpo
     
    53OlderThanMe likes this.
  3. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,331

    Fortunateson
    Member

    I don't think cooking it will help! LOL
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  4. Shh, wife’s out of town.

    Also just realized I’m flipping everyone the bird. Sorry guys.

    Garpo - that’s a good idea
     

  5. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    I’d find a pair of legs and make them fit like stock. The firewall on both cars if fairly flat so it might be fairly easy.

    Then again, I’m a sucker for original kinda stuff.
     
  6. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,903

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I did mine in a similar manner to Garpo's suggestion but with variations! Made threaded standoffs from 1/2 inch round bar. Made tabs to weld at the sides of the dash insert. Assembled face down on bench. Welded standoffs to rear of dash. Welded tabs to insert. This allows for the misalignment between the face of the dash and the insert face as the reveal in the dash (on a 3w coupe) is deeper at the top than the bottom.

    Chris
     
    53OlderThanMe likes this.
  7. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    '32 car and '32 truck have different length [legs]… memory says about 1"
    the '30 firewall is convex, extending the length of the legs... maybe take 2 sets and make a longer pair...
     
    clem likes this.
  8. If you put the tunnel in how's ya gonna get the ac box under there?
     
    stillrunners and 53OlderThanMe like this.
  9. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    '32 clusters with legs are very cheap once the instrument face is rusted ti hell. Get a passenger one, as it will for sure be long enough, and cut length of legs to fit. I think only sane way to fit is to clamp panel to your truck dash and then trim legs until they reach from firewall to panel...bend the leg curvature until it tucks into the panel neatly, then secure.
    I think I would drill and use pop-rivets! No worries about scorching anything.
     
    Moriarity and 53OlderThanMe like this.
  10. xix32
    Joined: Jun 12, 2008
    Posts: 593

    xix32
    Member

    The oval instrument panel is not supposed to be attached, or even touch the dash, on a stock `32 it's mounted by the legs to almost touch the dash. trying to mount it to a model"A" firewall would require modifying the legs to make it work. I would start with the pickup style legs ( with the kink in them) since they are cheaper. Slice them midway to fit close, and reattach the pieces with some slotted brackets, so you can adjust and slide it into position.
     
  11. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    In my 1932 cabriolet the firewall was set back for a aluminum plate . This was because it was a drag car and moved the studebaker motor back. I put a 241 redram and put a original but flat firewall. So no tunnel was used but have a few studs in the dash and put some tabs to keep the turned gauge panel in place. I was just going to weld them in once I got the bugs out of the car but that’s 25 years ago:D. That’s a nice dash and had that one for a long time as well.......:) image.jpg
     
  12. Thanks all for the good suggestions. I think I'll end up welding some bolts to the dash and mount the insert on it. Won't be seen and less work than sourcing the legs and fabricating.
     
    continentaljohn likes this.
  13. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Same situation here; I plan to just drill some 1/4" holes in the flange of an elevator bolt and plug weld them to the inside of the dash. Makes nice studs to mount the gauge insert. download.jpg
     
    continentaljohn and Fordors like this.
  14. good thread........
     
  15. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    I use the stud method on a 29 roadster I’m doing with a 1936 dash. I wanted to keep the original gas tank . I also wanted the dash to be removable to service it and also get at the gauges. So I have studs going into the original dash rail holes and holds it in place great. image.jpg image.jpg
     
    big duece likes this.
  16. Thought I'd close this thread out with the finished approach. IMG_20190623_112926.jpeg IMG_20190623_112912.jpeg IMG_20190623_105145.jpeg

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  17. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,331

    Fortunateson
    Member

    You must really hammer th egears when you shift.
     
  18. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,504

    continentaljohn
    Member

    Dash Looks great and nice job



    Ha ha ha never thought of that lol
     
    loudbang likes this.
  19. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member


    You nailed it!:D
     
    loudbang and continentaljohn like this.

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