I have a ‘36 coupe and don’t care for the dash that is in it. I would like to see some custom options that others have. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Do you want to graft in a different dash from a modern car or modify the 36? Here is a shot of a 39 Standard that has been modified to do away with all the recessed knobs. It also has an under dash a/c unit mounted up in the dash. Gives instant cold with no ducts to cool down.
'37 up are V shaped and '36 is a flat dash; so while not a direct swap, with a little slicing and dicing a later dash can be fit.
'40 is narrower than a '35-'36... because '40 had vent windows ?... '37-'39 may be the same width as the '35-'36 ... '37-'39s don't have vent windows ? ... '41 to '48 are 8" wider than the '40...
51 Ford car sectioned side to side, blended to upper 1inch of original and 36 ends. Bolts in as original.’
I am open to options. What came in the car when I bought it is too street rod for my liking. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Thank you. I have found a ‘39 dash locally so kinda leaning that route. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The dash I found is missing the glove box door. I happen to have one from an’39 Merc, anyone know if it is the same part? Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
i think the merc is flatter... not sure.... but beware, ford convertible and woodies are a slightly different shape, they get about 1/2" narrower as they flow towards the door...note the bottom pic. i made a couple '38-'39s and a '40 [black primer] with a pan break and a slip roller... no inner panel so i had to weld a latch tab, some nuts together to offset the hinge mounts... closed car 1st pic...
Yes, the one I have is flat but from the picture of the ‘39 dash, other than the holes for the gauges the dash looks identical to the Merc dash I use to have. That’s why I thought it might be the same glove box door. I am going to try and go take a look at it and I will just have to take the door with me. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
i can zap you some dimensions if that helps... LMK... i don't type all i think, can't... but the mercs started in '39 , all got fatter in '41, look to be a fatter car than the fords.... did they tuck a little of the running board under the body...?
just googled '39 merc dash... click images...lots of pix ... appears to have rounded cornes and it is the flat one, sorry
How about a pic of yours? What is too "street-roddy"? We might have suggestions to fix what you have.
Right now it is sitting in a shop getting some work done to it. Next time I run over I can get one but won’t be till next week when parts come in. It is just a smoothed out original looking dash with 5 gauges. The fact that it is red doesn’t help either. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
You could make that dash a lot better by closing the gauges up and putting them in a panel of some sort, then maybe find a replacement waterfall trim / original clock etc for the centre. It just looks to plain at the moment, even a bit of pinstriping would wake it up. random pics from a quick search If you like the engine turned plate look, there was a thread on here about turning your own. Also, somewhere there is a thread on dash inserts/positioning of gauges which had some pictures that might give you some ideas.
Not the best picture but I slightly enlarged the speedometer opening to accept a slightly larger diameter aftermarket speedometer and then mounted SW oil and temp gaugers ON TOP of the stock 36 Ford gauge bezels in the stock 36 Ford gauge openings. I mounted fuel and volt gauges below the dash. Note that my pickup has a stock waterfall that does NOT have an opening for cranking out the windshield.
swapped '35-'36 gauge set up into my '38 closed car dash that will go in a '30 coupe... filled the bent finned speaker grill... the red '39 was modified with '35 style cluster and to fit a '30 model A... patmanta.
Hi, have 36 ford and had new gauges in mine i didnt like. As rest of my car is classic style I’m in the process of swapping. Dunno if your lokking to mount old gauges. Always liked the centred and art deco look of the 1937 chevy. dash bezel (original 36 shape) is not painted in pic, but you get the idea.
Here's a '49 Ford dash in a kustom 35/36: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/49-ford-dash-in-36-ford.424833/
I’d be inclined to fix what you’ve got. The speedo needs to be centered to the steering wheel for sure and gauge selection is up to your taste. Genie or aftermarket. Loose the cigar lighter and put a knob on the glove box door. Those dashboards didn’t need much help when they were original. Of course if you want full kustom that sectioned ‘51 car dash shown in post #7 is sweet. Have fun.
Have you thought about taking some brass 1/2 round stock and bending it so it surrounds your current gauges? Or perhaps use a '32 dash since a lot of '32s use the '36 pieces...
my $0.02 ... i put the fuel gauge in the passenger's side cowl kick panel... i like to buy te gauge / sender together... they seldom match the oil/ temp gauges... in the kick they don't have too... may also free up some dash face...
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