COE Who swapped dashes?

Looking for pictures of the 48 ford p***enger dash into the early Ford COE cab. I remember the "new Twist" build thread and thought there was another. Anyone remember who?

 

Corvettesander

 

Thanks....I can't believe I didn't remember that he did that.

 

OK, here is a tough one.

How do I swap my a/c-heat controls to old style crank knobs...when my current Dodge Dakota controls use vacuum lines? Has anyone ever try to do this?

 

I think you will find that the controls on your heater are all push/pull moved by vacuum diaphragms. just replace the diaphragms with push/pull cables. I'm not smart on old Ford dashes, crank knobs?

 

I'm going to steal the idea from Sander, who stole it from Doughboy, to swap in the 1948 dashboard. I hope I can do it half as good as they did.. Picked this up locally. Just needs some TLC...(grin)

 

That should be a real nice addition to your truck. A different dash really changes the truck as the originals are usually pretty plain.
Keep us posted...

 

Did you get all the trim ? Or should we be on the look out ? Blue

 

I am undecided about the trim. The large top pieces with speaker grill are available in repop - (Chrome or several colors of plastic: ****ernut, tan, blue, etc...) The choice will set a direction. The gauges are another that will set direction. Mine are currently VDO white face with a 3" speedo...probably won't work. My steering wheel also might not work...hell, nothing will work...Ahhh!

So many ways to go. I like the feel of the first dash.

 

Man I can see why you're undecided. All of those are gorgeous to me. I like each one for for different reasons.

 

I would go for the all chrome version, but that's me. I don't care for the gauge placement in the first pic....seems like it would be distracting to have the gauges on the p***enger side. You should be able to update the stock gauges.....that's what I did on my '49 cluster.

 

Help...I cannot believe how many gauges Ford made for the 42-48 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, and that none are what I want (well I do like the '42 convertible design, but I'm not rich enough to afford them!!) This one is on ePay for $550.

I am looking for any ideas of how to adapt different gauges into the dash. Meanwhile my dash is dis***embled and off getting bead blasted.

ALSO - does anyone have a spare 46-48 Ford ash tray cover with the spring and inner plate?

 

Are you looking for the COE ash tray or one for your dash swap?

 

Torhino - I am looking for the 48 Ford p***enger car ash tray door "spring and inner plate" (the parts that keep the door from rattling), I am missing one of each

I began the swap of the 1948 p***enger dash into my COE. I was able to trim the COE dash top to almost perfectly fit the trimmed 1948 dash. A little hammer and dolly work and it worked out great. Still need to grind the welds and extend the 48 dash to meet the door jambs.

BTW - I removed the COE dash in such a way that it can be reinstalled if I want. So I am not selling the glove box door or parts at this time...sorry.

 

Looks great from this angle!

 

Looks real nice , can't wait to see it in color and bling !

 

Anyone have a 52 Pontiac clock they can measure for me? I was wondering if the clock bezel will fit in the ford gauge hole (5 inch hole). I thought it might be a really neat way to mount a smaller speedo and clock, plus provide an opening for heat and a/c.

 

I used some custom made rings that fit in the stock opening that aloud me to use newer gauges. I found them at http://www.jbmicrofinish.com/newprd.html. This is the description from the site,
With the popularity of the fat fendered Ford on the increase, J&B has decided to offer a complete array of dash inserts for the 46-48 Ford. Offered in various kit forms, this product will liven up the dash area of your favorite post-war Ford

So, if you're looking to replace the old worn out original gauging and replacing them with new accurate gauging, this product is a must have.

Please specify what brand of gauges you'll be using and whether they are 3 3/8" of 5" diameter.

I just used the two adapter rings.

I also might have the ash tray parts that your looking for. We didn't use them in our dash. I will look for them and let you know.

 

Doughboy, when do we get an update on the blogspot build? I'm having withdrawals!

 

Soon, we have been moving to Chris's new shop which has slowed down things alittle. But getting ready to hit it hard soon.

 

After putting in way too many stupid hours on this dash, I bow to the masters. This is a real P.I.T.A. (pain in the ... posterior).

I appreciate the gauge info, it is driving me crazy too. J &B ???? Can you give me more info.

I too am awaiting updates.

 

Talk about BAD KARMA, I looked at the microfinish site a week ago to see the glove box handles...I never saw the gauge panel and adapter rings...dang! I've wasted a week trying to figure the gauges out.

 

Hard at work swapping the 48 Ford dash into my COE. Got the COE dash top and the 48 dash face welded together, grounds down the complete welds on the inside and hammered it nice and straight.

Bought a Vintique brand chrome dash kit...what a pain. The trim holes did not line up with the dash holes, so after several hours, and a lot of opened up holes, I finally have the trim mounted. FYI - I also had to grind on the inside edges of the trim to get rid of flashing, and sharp corners.

Moving on to the radio mount next.. The stock dash is curves under at the radio face, I need it flat for the new radio. Started making a new panel to replace the center of the dash.

QUESTION - What is the chance that, if I relocated my heater controls above the windshield, that they would work? It is all vacuum, except for one temperature cable. I thought maybe use a long lawnmower cable and extend the vacuum lines.


FYI - Dakota Digital is planning on selling a VHX ****og gauge set for the 46-48 dash. Should be out this spring.

 

That temp cable will get pretty long, lube it up real good before you put it in. Vacuum shouldn't mind going around corners and up top. What do you plan to use for vacuum, must be stiff enough so it won't collapse. I think you can buy 1/8" airlines for big truck air shifters.

 

Thanks for the airline tip. I wonder if air shock line would also work? I might also look into concealing the heater control panel behind a door under the radio or simply using old pull-type dash controls.

The good news is that after 4 months of looking, I finally found my camera cable and battery charger, so I can take decent pictures again.

 

I hadn't thought of air shock line, it should work.

 

FYI - This is a real pain to do! If anyone else tries it, here are some hints: First temp tack the dashes together and then weld on lower corner mount tabs to the door jambs, before starting the welds. The 48 dash is not as strong as the COE dash and can really flex. Making the pillars covers match up is another pain. Note - the swing arms just miss the speaker grill by 1/32". Ford did not stamp a symmetrical dash, so each side is different in the curves. After welding the length of the dash, it will try and warp along the mounting screw holes by the windshield, so be prepared to fight with that too. The 48 dash fits tight to the door posts at the bottom and needs to be loosened up to allow wind lace to slide in. Measure from several places to keep it level.

Most importantly...sparks will ruin your gl*** very quickly.

 

Yeah, but look how PURDY it is!

 

When did new gauges become so expensive? I priced out stock sets and they are approaching $1000. Custom built gauges have been quoted for $2000-4500...!

 

Dakota Digital is 695 + 195 for the clock. They are more expensive as a rule than anyone else. Whos gauges are you looking at? http://www.dakotadigital.com/index....t_id=139/category_id=433/mode=prod/prd139.htm