How did you mount your gauge panel to your dash

I had originally mounted my Stewart Warner 5 guage panel to my dash using the studs on the panel and some 90' angle brackets on the studs held down by nuts to pinch the metal dash between the panel and brackets. I had to take out my gaUge panel last night and it was a pain in the butt to pull those brackets off as they had gotten stuck on the studs. So I am now wondering how everyone else has done this. I searched for some ideas but did not find anything. Maybe I just did not use the right words. So if this has already been posted and some one remembers the key words I will be more than happy to research again.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

i used self taping screws

 

Through the face of the panel?

 

Are you apposed to welding to the dash at all? If not you may weld studs to the dash itself and then have straps that would attach to both the dash and the studs on the insert? or... you could weld some tabs to the edges of the dash so that the insert's studs would fasten to them. Just a couple of ideas for ya without lookin at it.
-Brian

 

The threads don't go down all the way to use a strap. I am afraid that threading it all the way may break the studs off. I could use some box tubing as the strap. I will have to give it some thought.

In the mean time any other suggestions?

 

Any one got any ideas?

 

Make a template from aluminum sheet.
Hole saw dash and panel separately from the template pattern.

Instruments on both cars hold the panels on.

 

Paul, can you post some pics of the two pieces seperated? I mean, can we see the hole in the dash that you're working with and also the back of the insert you have? That'd make it a little easier to see what you're trying to do.

-Brian

 

Brian:

You are right. It is really hard to help if I don't give enough info. Here are some shots of the dash and panel. Please don't laugh at my wiring job. This car is my first build, so I am new to this. Since the threads don't go all the way down, there is about 1/4" not threaded on the studs, I would use some 1/2 x 1 box tubing drill a hole in one end and use that to pinch the dash. Any other thoughts?

 

BTT for some ideas.

 

A: Use wingnuts rather than small nuts if you foresee removing the panel with some frequency. We always use wingnuts if possible for convenience of removal and replacemnt.

B: Use a modified brake line clamp for a hold down. The ones you see on the frame holding brake lines and batt cables, shaped like a question mark(?).

 

Yea, like a Kugel clamp.

You may also be able to overcome the lack of threads with small spacers purchased at like ACE or made out of some tubing, then weld tabs to the dash that are a "Z" shape to get it back to where the threads are.

 

I like the brake line clamp idea. Will give it some thought and try that out. I will also use wing nuts to hold the clamps. This will allow easy access. I am all about making things easier on repair in the future. Thanks guys

 

You just want to clamp the panel from the back side, right?

I have a couple pieces of 1/8" scrap aluminum you could have and widdle four clamping plates out of.

 

Here's a REAL quick example of what I'm thinking. Don't make fun it was done on paint in the middle of a busy work day! ha ha ha

 

So what's up Paul? What did ya decide to do?

 

He decided to go for a beer instead!

 

I finally got around to reinstalling the gauge panel. I used a simpler version of what Brian suggested. Instead of using spacers and bending a clip, I used box tubing. This allowed the clip and spacer to be all in one. I did have to drill a clearance hole in the bottom of the clip to allow it to tighten up against the panel. Thanks for the ideas guys