Toby Atwater wrote:
>
> my vinyl dash is cracking worse and worse. Can the whole dash come out minus
> the instruments? I would also like to go back to the old style metal dash
> seen on bugeyes and on early sprites if I recall correctly. Has anybody ever
> done this?
Toby
The bugeye/side curtain car dashboards are quite different and will not
fit well, not impossible though.
I have opted for the MKIII dash since I hate those padded dashboards
myself.
PIECES has an earlier metal (wrinkle finish) dash, it just about bolts
up.
The only thing missing, and it may even still be on the 69, is the
captive nuts on each corner. I overcame this by drilling 1 hole in each
corner and using a chrome bumper bolt to hold the corners. between the
windshield and the crash pad, you can't see the bolt.
You have to pull the windshield to drill it. You will also need the
crash pad from a MKIII (65-67) since your dash incorporates this
already. The older pad will fit in the holes or you can make your own
using wood. Other items are the steering column since the colapsable one
from the 69 will not work with the early dash, some electric work since
the lights and wiper switches will no longer be on the stalk, same with
the horn but provisions are there for the steering wheel push on the
early columns.
It will take most of a weekend once you have all the bits.
Parts needed;
1 metal dash from a 65,66, 67 Spridget
1 steering column from the same year with wheel and plastic shroud
The crash pad on top of the dash or 1/2 round wood to make your own
2) 1/4 x 20 chrome or SS carridge or bumper bolts with nuts
All the switches from the early car
Speedo and tach from the early car since they are bigger
You will also have to flip the polarity of the tach since it would be +
grd.
Remove dash, remove steering column from rack, remove windshield.
Bolt in new crash pad and steering column.
Drill 2 holes one on each side using the dash as a guide.
Install dash and mess with wires for the next day and a half.
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Too many Sprites (again)
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut
|