How we did it TECH. The Dash 55 Cevy/32 Ford

First, me and my dad found a 55 Chevy dash. Bought it. Then installed it in my 32 ford vicky.

Second, Please bare with me I have a good amount of pics so i wanna spread them over a couple different posts. I will let you know when im done. Thank you.

On to the tech!
First,we made a frame on the car for the dash to bolt to. Then we cut the dash in half. Next, we cut the left end off. Then we determined our position for the column drop/column. Then we tack welded the dash back together after shortening it roughly 14 inches.


Next, we re-fabricated each side wrap around thing to better fit our 32.


We also welded up what was left of the glove box and existing holes.

Next post coming shortly..........

 

Then, we welded sheet metal on the top of the dash to match the 32 windsheild. Next, we fabricated a guage cluster for more gauges into the center of the dash. To make this we made a template then cut out a peice of 16 guage sheet metal. Then welded it in place.

The next thing we did was all the body work on the dash. This was a good learning experience for me.

To do the body work we clamped some rectangular tubuing to the table and welded the other side to the dash to temporarily hold it steady.



One more post................

 

After all the body work was done, we cut a hole in the center for my cd player. After that we cleaned it up then put it in a coat of primer.

Next we mocked it all up with the guage cluster, speaker grill, cd player, column and steering wheel.


Personally, I think it turned out GREAT! Better than I expected. It was realy fun to work/learn from my dad just like the rest of the car.
The dash is a complete bolt in unit. We made tabs to bolt onto the frame we made in the car. It works out really nice. My dad is one clever dude!
Here are some more pics that i forgot to show.

Me >



Making this thing was WAY harder and took longer than I expected! It was tons of work and my dad did a great job and taught me lots.
I hope everone enjoys these posts. If you have any questions, Ask Away! Thank you very much.

Nick Giacalone (me) and Nick Giacalone(my dad)

DONE!

 

Thanks. I have a 55/6 dash that is going in my 34 pu. was kind of curious what it would look like

 

That looks really cool... At first I thought it'd look poopy, but after seeing the mock up that's pretty cool! Nice work!

 

that looks friggin' awesome mate... good job...

 

...Nick I & Nick II..........GREAT job!! Really nice installation. You probably should have left the "body work" undone and not painted it to keep some of the "Traditional" guys happy......
Super post Nick II.........

 

That dash looks great.

But the best part of this whole post is the fact you and your dad are doing this togeather, and you are learning about fabracating and bodywork.

My son and I work togeather on lots of projects and it couldn't be better for a good relationship.

 

Good post.
Good job.
Keep it up.

Jim

 

That smile on your face says it all. Great post.

 

Yea, great work guys, that dash metalwork / cut and shut is great . I looked and looked but I gotta say those end wings are as GAY AS HELL!
DADSEH

 

Awesome work man. I love it!

JH

 

Nice looking dash!

Working in the garage with Dad is priceless

 

Man that looks great!

I was really close to putting a 55 dash in the spacetruck. I could have bought the whole car for 300 bucks! I didn't because I couln't afford to lose any room in the cab of the truck (depth wise). I wish I would have bought the car though. Oh well, you can't buy 'em all.

 

That absoloutely KICKS ASS!!!!

If the rest of the car comes out that cool...you are gonna have one gnarly ride, Nick!!

WAY too cool for words, Dude!!!!!!

 

My hats off to you and your pops Nick...

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That smile on your face says it all. Great post.

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I second what TomH said...

 

nice job Nick. maybe one day i'll get my dad in the garage and teach him a thing or two ...


Mike

 

Nick. Nice job. Its not gay. If you blend your doorpanels in to meet the edge of the dash, it would look great.
Don't worry about trying to keep the Trad guys happy. Do what you want and drive the piss out of it.

 

<font color="blue"> Thanks for the good words everybody! </font>

 

Great job! Looks great. Makes me want to re-think the repop S/W thing...

 

Hi Nick, that looks pretty good, nice job.

 

Nick -

Great work. It is really good to see you working with your dad on a project. My dad had my brothers and I all build cars in high school. I got my 49 GMC when I was 13 and still have it today. You will treasure these times and pictures when you are older.

Keep up the good work.

Neal

 

In the immortal words of Sauce, "NIIIICE."


Ed

 

Really cool for a Ford... just kid'n. Good job, I hadn't seen that last pic yet. Can't wait to see it in person.

 

Excellent work. I'll save any comments on the wings till I see the reat of the interior done. I have a feeling you and your pop will work it in. Keep it up.

 

Tech week just keeps getting better! Nice job!

 

Nice work!

Billy

 

Ya done real good, boy.........

 

Great Job Nick &amp; Nick jr good to see the teamwork pays off

 

that looks awesome. the wings don't look "gay" (?) just be sure to make your door panels continue the shape ant it'll look awesome. really like the other guage cluster. Excellent work..Ya'll did good.