ID of hole in the dash

[jckkys]

There is a small maybe 1/8" hole in the middle of '73-'77 original dash. It's about 1 1/2" above the heater controls. There's a threaded nut? welded to the back side of the dash panel. All I can think of is a mounting location for a compass.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Attaches the dash to the body

 

[jckkys]

I checked that first and found no bracket or other part that comes close to either the cowl or fire wall and comes near the hole. If anyone has a photo that shows how the hole was used I'd love to see it. The 1966-70 Bronco Body and Interior Assembly Manual has no info on this neither does my 1977 Ford Truck Shop manual.

 

[SHX669]

Hmm - my '76 has a Philips head screw there. It was that way when I bought it 18 years ago. Never thought about it - untill now - LOL

 

[Slowleak]

My ‘77 has a screw in that hole also. Never thought about what it was for.

 

[EPB72]

My 72 has the hole and my windshield cowl support has the bracket that a j nut goes on to .The original and the replacement line up mines all apart currently.

 

[jckkys]

The hole has an internally threaded cylinder welded to the back of the dash. So to secure the dash to either the cowl or fire wall, a screw would have to come from the front of the dash some where. I was thinking some kind of bracket secured to the back of the dash that itself would then be secured to the fire wall. I can't find anything close to being able to do that. The distance from the fire wall to the weld on nut would require an 8"-10" screw through the fire wall. That wouldn't offer much strength. The fact that there is a hole in the dash implies any screw would come through from the front. So I'm back to speculating on what would that secure in the 60s-70s? Not a cell phone holder. A cup holder would block the heater controls. I do remember many vehicles with bubble type compasses attached to the dash.

 

[jckkys]

I'm Thinking something like this;https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-Fo...580606&hash=item5d8086ca6c:g:T~EAAOSwTYNbcy9s

 

[Eoth]

Dam!! I hate you guys!!! Never noticed or cared before... Now I MUST attach something there.