Does anyone have a custom toggle switch panel in their car. I have some more accessories added to my car and I want to make a plate to either hang under my dash or go in the spot where my radio would be to hold the switches. Just looking for some creative ideas. It’s a 1953 ford customline. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
This is an add on switch panel I made for my 32 truck. I curved it to fit the curve of the dash, have two tabs at each end that when bent, fasten to the bottom lip of the dash. Polished, then masked off and painted with crinkle paint to match the dash insert
As far back and tucked up under the dash as you can get it, would probably look best. Those cars have a nice looking dashboard, with no place that toggle switches would look like they "fit".
You could always rework the ashtray and add the switches to the front but they would be visible, depending on how many switches you need you could add them to the lower lip of the dash and only you would know where the are. HRP
The ashtray idea crossed my mind at one point. But I’m thinking about drilling holes in the lower lip of the dash like you said and putting them there Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Just angle the panel where it sits almost flat to the bottom inside of the dash where maybe all you'll see is the toggles pointing down. On my 65 lemans I started to put mopar rocker switches for the headlights etc to the bottom of the dash so you wouldn't see them. Still thinking of incorporating them into the bottom of a custom dash in my 31.
This is a gauge panel I built under the dash of my 53 Chevy. I think the same basic panel on a smaller scale would work well for your needs.
Left to right: exhaust cutout switch, radiator fan bypass/emergency switch, 700R4 normal/forced/none lockup switch, a/c, heater switches , voltmeter, driver's a/c outlet https://49fordcoupe.smugmug.com/Wiring-the-Car/i-9sddTfj/A
This is the panel I put in my Model A, Tach and starter switch. Bead rolled a edge around panel and bent a mounting flange across the top. Added a flange around the edge to hide the view of the gauge from the side. Blasted the flat area to give it some texture then painted to match the rest of the dash.
I like the original ford switch accessories panels and fit nicely look great . This is for a heater and defrost and mounts under the dash on this 1936 dash
We made them for the stock cars all the time, just ran oil and water. One I went store bought since the whole thing was dirt cheap with the gauges. There are some on eBay I was looking at, similar to the one in my Ford from Summit for around $40.
Not that I'm recommending you do this, but here's the extra gauge/toggle contraption that was in my 32. It looks to have been made from a cut down aluminum rectangular pan. The car was built in the late 60's early 70's so it's pure vintage
Had a hidden panel under the dash but as I got older it became more of a pain to fumble around for it. Made one out of aluminum and shined it up a bit. Works.
just a piece of sheet metal, rolled a bead in the shape of the panel, hammer formed the edges, plus some cutting and welding to remove some of the extra metal. I made three small panels for this car to fit below the dash panel.
Some from my "Good Idea" folder. Most of these may be more racecar-ish than you want for your '53 Ford Customline.
Hehe. That is a good idea. I made the panel. And painted it black. Just now to finally decide where it goes. I’m thinking under the ashtray Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I robbed this off an old fan to use as a panel of some sorts, so maybe a trip to the thrift store might get you something.
I used a couple pieces of polished stainless cut from the Mysterion frame members to make the switch panels on my Mysterion clone. tried to match what Ed did on the original. Incidentally that aluminum Eelco dash is the exact model Ed used. Stumbled on this one on ebaY. Never have seen another before or after. Really lucky find. Had to improvise on building 39 Willys pickup. Wanted to keep as much stock dash as possible but needed room for AC. Modified stock center dash panel by welding on pop-out gauge cones and adding switches. Came out nice.
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