1952-59 Ford dash fitment

Will a 56 customline dash bolt right into a 55?

 

I think Retro Jim has done it,maybe shoot him a pm.Take some Pix of the swap to share.

 

Yes it will bolt right in. A few years ago I put a 56 dash in a 55 Crown Vic.

 

Yes bolts in fine , Here in New Zealand all the RHD '56's had '55 dashes from the ***embly plant .

 

I have a '56 dash that I'm planning on putting in my '55. I'll post pictures when I get to that point unless someone else has some already.

 

Thank guys,

Now I need to locate a 56 dash for the swap

 

There is always a few on ebay

 

I just finished the re-install of my 55 dash. I took it out and smoothed over where the stock speedo goes and put a set of vintage autometers in the remaining stock bezels. If someone would be kind enough to point me to a tutorial on how to upload pics, I'll put some up.

 

Cl***icDoc I just finished the re-install of my 55 dash. I took it out and smoothed over where the stock speedo goes and put a set of vintage autometers in the remaining stock bezels. If someone would be kind enough to point me to a tutorial on how to upload pics, I'll put some up.


Here you go, post away. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...discussionid=18102&gmid=327154#gmessage327154

 

My understanding is that the '56 dash is actually a few inches deeper than the '55 dash. Meaning, the distance from the windshield into the drivers compartment is greater. I believe the dash will bolt right in but you will need the '56 dash end caps as the '55 ones will be a little too long.

 

I should also add, that when I changed from a 55 to 56 dash, I didn't use a stock steering column. I use a GM tilt column. There might be a difference where the column mounts to the dash as there may be a difference in length of 55 and 56 column or is it just in the steering wheel? The 55 wheel is flat where the 56 is dished.

 

Sorry the pics are squoze up together, I'll figure out how to separate them and add a bit of caption, first time loading in.

 

I've got the stock speedo and other parts for the dash if anyone needs them. Big 3 coming up here in San Diego next weekend, was thinking of taking them there but if anyone here needs something, holler.

 

No pics.
After you load the picture on here hit enter twice and it will leave a space between the pics.

 

Okay, see if these worked, before and after pics.

 

Still nothing.

 

Is anybody else seeing pictures here. I have tried using Firefox, IE and Google Chrome, still no pics.

 

Not seeing them here but in the profile album.

Cl***icDoc, there should be a link at the bottom of each pic in your album. Open the pic & scroll to below it; & see the BB Code? - it starts with [IMG***. You can copy that link then paste it in your message - should work. Try it, good luck!
ron

 

I can see them by going to his album

 

For some reason I can see them but they're not posting. I'm seeing a "This Message is Moderated" above each of my pictures in the thread. I sent a PM to Ryan so hopefully I'll be up and running in the next day or so. Thanks Stig for spending the time on this with me.

 

See if this works yet.

 

It works, looks good!

 

Yup , works . I can see them from way down here in NZ even !

.

 

Thanks guys, I guess it helps if I use my fingers too, not just my thumbs.

 

Finally, what was the problem

 

Not sure. I noticed this morning that I had a response to the pic we posted on the main site under intro so I figured I'd try this one again and it popped right up, only without the "This Message is Moderated" tag above the picture. So, I guess I'm off and running. Again, thanks for the time yesterday.

 

Here is the progress thus far on installing a 1956 dash into my 1955. The short version of this is yes, the dash will bolt right in but you will need to replace a lot of interior trim pieces.

The long story is below:

First here is the original dash in the car.


No dash in the car.


1956 dash in the car.


The trim pieces that you will need to replace are the dash corners due to the 1956 dash extending about 2 more inches into the drivers compartment than the 1955. These are the 1956 corners. I didn't get a picture of the two years next to each other.


You will also need to change the front interior garnish moulding that goes between the dash and the windshield. I have these coming so no pictures of those yet. However, I do have a comparison picture of the center coupler pieces. The 1956 is on the left and 1955 on the right.


With the dash corners being different in height, you will need to either cut the 1955 vertical windshield trim to length and continue to use the upper 1955 trim pieces or replace all of the interior windshield trim with 1956 trim. We are going to try the cutting of the 1955 pieces. Here is the comparison of those. 1955 on the left and 1956 on the right.


I'll post an update once I receive the front trim pieces and have everything in place.