Dash opinions, looking for feedback

[Tito]

Alright, I am
working on a new dash layout (going to get an overlay laser cut) and am trying to get it all figured out before the cutting begins. Anyways, I am moving the stock cluster over towards the middle but just off center to avoid one of the defrost ducts, one will be capped and that line will be routed to the 2 dash vents (using chevy blower to add mo flo). Anyways, I will be using 4 aftermarket gauges, those are the 4 smaller red circles, and 2 f150 vents, they are the ones close to the speaker grilles. I am also going to use some of the stock stuff including the defrost, fan, and heater pulls (or I may use a rocker for the heater switch and leave the heat flap open all the time in winter and closed in summer). Also mounting the ignition switch, light switch, wiper switch and throttle cable (cruise control ;D ). So looks like I have 6 pulls and the ignition. I also want to mount a bunch of rocker switches like the carling style on the dash, I believe there will be 10. And also the stereo head unit. Anyways, shoot some feedback and errors as you see them. Here are the 2 I have been working on, the first seems more feesible as the first I would have to mount the stereo in the tuffy (dont really want to and I'd have to mod mine or find another as mine doesnt have the stereo mount) or put it on the pass side which is a little bit of an inconvenience.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

use the one on the left it has more room for expansion not to mention easier to read.

 

[Ohio Bronco 21]

I kind of like the one on the right.

 

[Tito]

Aesthetically I like the one on the right but when I started trying to figure out where my pull knobs would go for heat and where I would put my deck I had to make the one on the right.

 

[baglock]

I like the one on the left. I wouldn't want to look to far to the right to read the speedo.

 

[sprdv1]

Not too sure man.... Go w/your gut...

 

[Tito]

Here is another one...

This would allow the stock pulls to all be over the stereo.

 

[Heus33]

I dont like the one on the right - I don't think you'll have as much access to the gauges as you'd like. Plus, symmetry just doesn't jive with me, turkey.

 

[socalrick]

I like the last layout...I'm going through the same contemplation right now. Thatfold down dash is still sitting in my craw though....

 

[Fishbone]

Here is another one...

This would allow the stock pulls to all be over the stereo.

I like the last one...a lot.

 

[rnrmp]

last one is the best

 

[csjr]

I think you will have a hard time seeing the speedo past the steering wheel on the last one. Top right is most symmetrical, therefore appealing to the left-brainer. What about an overhead switching block? I'd like to mount aftermarket gauges in pods and on a roll cage cross bar, then you have a wide open dash. The biggest bummer to speedo being toward the middle is that's just like the old Heeps. What about a tach?

 

[Fishbone]

I do have one suggestion. Mount the smaller gauges in the appropriate size tubing cut it on an angle so that they angle slightly towards you. If you have the necessary clearance you could french them into the dash on an angle.

I didn't do it on mine (Bronco), but wish I had... maybe a project I can do later.

Here is a set that I did on one of my old bikes that kind of shows what I mean. These are frenched in, but I think it might look better inverted on an EB dash.

 

[t.lay]

kinda like the one on the left. the one on the right - looks like it would be a stretch to read accurately.

 

[DonsBolt]

Here is another one...

This would allow the stock pulls to all be over the stereo.

I like the last one the best, and keeping the heating controls in the stock location will make things a lot easier.

Is one of thos circles a tach?????
If so mount a tach in a pod on the steering column, It would then add room to design the dash a little different. Also having a tach on the column keeps it right infront of you, and to me the tach is one of the most important gauges

 

[chuck]

The last one you will have to look through the wheel to see the speedo

 

[Tito]

Thanks a ton for the feedback guys, it helps.

I plan to have the tach on the column or on the roll cage cross bar most likely. I'm okay with having the speedo only seen through the steering wheel, it basically is that way stock. Don, like you said those stock pulls dont like to be moved very much at all and having them over the stereo will allow them to be mostly centered. I am leaning towards the third, maybe with a few tweeks.

 

[NYLES]

Tito what you using to draw those out with?

I think you should dump the stock cluster if thats the big circle, is big, old, and with all your new gauges in there confusing......as in why you got all the new nice gauges and still that old stuff? You wanna be new and up to date or dated?

I dont like the mixed look.....old or new you pick but one way or the other

But I vote for #3 if you must keep both

 

[DonsBolt]

Why do you even need the stock speedo??

Whatever guages you plan to use, get the matching 3 5/8 speedo. You then can get rid of the instument voltage regulator, and give yourself more room to mount the speedo where you might be able to see it.

Maybee something like this


Edit
Now that I think about it, thinking back when I did my dash-the pic I just did might not work. Unless your willing to something creative with the hoses going to the defrost vents, your hoing to have problems.

Let me think about it a bit more

 

[NYLES]

Call it like you see it! what are yall making those with?