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Thread: Help with dash installation

  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Question Help with dash installation

    Getting ready to bond the leather to the dash. I thought I'd better test fit it first. The instructions in the assembly manual aren't very clear. Whoa! the dash is wider than the body:

    thumb_DSCF9379_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9380_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9381_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9382_1024.jpg

    So...I must have missed something. There is really no instruction how to fit the dash. I guess it bends in under the body.
    Also the manual says to mount the dash supports:

    thumb_DSCF9384_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9383_1024.jpg

    but where? They are too long to go between the dash and the tunnel top and too short to go between the dash and the fire wall.
    I would really appreciate any experience anyone has had with this dash installation.

    Thank you all in advance,
    Jeff

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff's First FFR View Post
    Getting ready to bond the leather to the dash. I thought I'd better test fit it first. The instructions in the assembly manual aren't very clear. Whoa! the dash is wider than the body:

    thumb_DSCF9379_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9380_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9381_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9382_1024.jpg

    So...I must have missed something. There is really no instruction how to fit the dash. I guess it bends in under the body.
    Also the manual says to mount the dash supports:

    thumb_DSCF9384_1024.jpgthumb_DSCF9383_1024.jpg

    but where? They are too long to go between the dash and the tunnel top and too short to go between the dash and the fire wall.
    I would really appreciate any experience anyone has had with this dash installation.

    Thank you all in advance,
    Jeff
    Well...I guess I figured it out. Dash center is aligned with top of hoop. Then the ends have to be bent somehow around toward the front.
    I centered the dash on the hoop and the steering shaft cut out is also centered. So I guess that is correct. Now just need to make angle brackets to mount the dash to the hoop from behind. Proceeding...

  3. #3
    Senior Member phileas_fogg's Avatar
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    Lots of threads on fitting the dash. But the rule of thumb is mount the dash with about 3/16" of the hoop showing on the left and right, and the center of the dash is just about flush with the dash hoop. If you're frame is level, you can also put a level across the bottom of the dash to confirm the 3/16" showing at each side. Trim about 2" off the right side of the dash so that it doesn't interfere with the smaller firewall panel (you can trim the left side too if it makes things easier). Then tuck the ends of the dash behind the tops of the door hinges. When you're fitting the body, you may find that the top of the dash sides are too tall & push the body up, which will mess up your windshield fitting. If so, trim the dash down so that the sides are free of the body.

    Bend the dash supports at the back so that they form an "L". Make sure the back face of the dash is flush with the face of the hoop when making your measurement at the bottom. The short part of the "L" gets riveted to the 3" frame, and the long part fits between the back of the dash and on top of the under dash bend. Place these supports under the headlight switch and the key switch to provide those heavy items some additional support.

    If you want additional support for the dash, ditch the F5-provided brackets & make some under dash supports. These really stiffen up the dash & provide extra real estate for mounting switches or behind the dash items.


    John

    IMG_3470 by jhsitton, on Flickr
    Last edited by phileas_fogg; 04-20-2019 at 09:55 AM.
    MK IV Roadster #8631
    Ford 302, Holley Terminator EFI, T5z, 3.55 Rear End, IRS, 17” Halibrand Replicas (9” front, 10.5” rear), Nitto 555 G2’s (275/40ZR17 front, 315/35ZR17 rear), Fast Freddie’s Power Steering, F5 Wilwood Brakes, FFMetal’s Firewall Forward, Forte’s Hydraulic Clutch & Throttle Linkage
    https://www.ffcars.com/threads/phile.../#post-4776313

  4. #4

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    There is a link to a youtube video that describes an approach to anchor the ends of the dash.

    https://www.breezeautomotive.com/sho...t-bracket-kit/
    www.breezeautomotive.com 2005 FFR Mk3 Roadster, 302/340hp, MassFlo EFI, Breeze Pulleys, T5, Aluminum Flywheel, 3-link rear with Torsen Diff and 3.27:1 gears, Power Steering, Breeze Front Sway Bar, SN-95 Spindles with outboard SAI Mod, Breeze Battery Mount, QA1 Externally Adjustable Shocks, Quick Release Steering Wheel, Vintage Race seats, GM Arctic White, Sky Blue Scoop, Hidden Hinges, Billet Aluminum Side-view Mirrors, 2,183lbs wet. 1967 Mustang Fastback, Dark Moss Green, black interior, '67 14" styled steel wheels, 2000 Explorer 302 w 5.0 Cam, Quickfuel 450 CFM, 289 Hi-Po Dual exhaust, C4, lowering springs w Shelby drop.

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  6. #5
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    Mike Everson - replicaparts.com - also has an underdash panel that I used.

    http://replicaparts.com/under%20dash...ler%20page.htm
    Steve

    FFR #8305; IRS, 347; T5 Trans; EFI, 3.27 Rear; 17x9" Front; 17x10.5" Rear
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    Complete Kit Delivered 05/15/2014; Titled and Registered 4/14/2017 as a 1965!!

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