The Design


Started glassing the custom dash pod for a 2nd time Saterday. This time I used fiberglass cloth instead of mat. Learned the hard way the mat is easy to warp, the cloth is much stronger.
This is the procedure for building the bottom of the gauge pod, I will later post more info as the project moves forward.

1) Buy:
- Quart All-Purpose Fiberglass Resin
- Mixing container
- Cheap brushes
- Reynolds Wrap (Foil)
- Fiberglass Cloth (not mate) (cut into 2inch strips)
- Medium Tack wide tape
- Double-side scotch tape


This is the area the dual gauge pod is being built for.

 

First step is to tape the area off with a good quality medium tack wide tape.



This is the step I messed up on the first time around. I used double sided tape ontop of the masking tape inorder to get the foil to make FULL contact with the surface. On my first try, the final product had poor surface contact and was warped. I Suck!



As you can see in the pic, I also masked off the lower part of the dash. This is because there is a great possiblity for dripping resin on this area. Rip a large piece of foil off the role and slowly work it into the taped area. Make sure to try and get all the air bubbles out and when you have complete this, make a small wall with the end of the foil around the area to be glassed. This will prevent any resin from running out of the work area and onto unprotected plastic.

 

Now the fun starts, apply a layer of fiberglass to the foil. Then apply a layer of fiberglass cloth strips to the resin. Apply enough resin to soak the strips but don't get crazy. Keep layering resin and cloth till you feel the base is strong enough. I ended up applying 4 layers of cloth. You can keep adding layers till the piece sets and is no longer tacky (2hrs). Sanding is required after the piece is dry if you want to add more layers of fiberglass cloth.




Wait 3hrs for the piece to set, carefully remove the glassed area from the dash. It should take most of the tape and all the foil with it. Now just remove the tape and the foil from the bottom of the fiberlass.

Next steps will be:
- Cut the glassed bottom to size
- Build the gauge faceplate
- Glass the Top of the gauge
- Do bodywork and paint the gauge

Stay tunded for more pics on this project coming soon...

 

I really need to see this truck this summer, very impressive.
-Patrick

 

I'll be at Oldtown

 

Going to look great!

Fiberglass is our friend.

 

Very nice writeup.

 

Cool

 

I'm going to be doing the same thing when I get my gauges (still waiting on the Wideband commander kit to come out). I was thinking about somewhere on the drivers side with only 2 gauges, but I love your idea on the passenger side.

Keep us posted.

 

Thanks all, it does look like I will only have room for 2 gauges in the pod. I have revised the plans for the gauge face to have a even lower profile and not be so noticeable from the outside.

Anyone know what the hole on the left side of the oval is in the 3rd pic? There is a senor underneith the plastic that goes to something. I need to know if I need to make a opening in my fiberglass base for this or not. Thanks

 

its the auto light sensor for the headlights

 

Thank you..... it's getting covered over.

 

Nah ... Jest Dremel the slots !!! Otherwise the auto
position on the light switch won't work anymore ... They
will be ON all the time !!!

 

I never use the auto light feature.... if I get to stupid or lazy to figure out it's dark outside and my lights would help me see better, shoot me.

 

man that is a great idea. ive always wondered if something could be done (just like that) to our otherwise boring dash. when you finish, i might have to copy your idea....