Technical INTERIOR, 51 Dash in a 42 Coupe

Beware some more Swinglish on the Tech week, all the way from Sweden.


After some years I finally laid my hands on a 1951 Ford dash, straight from California, A big thanks to Micke F


I never had liked the 42-48 dashboards and this is what I started with.


Left side is not looking better.


After disassembling the 51 Dash I put it up beside a spare 46 Dash, a small size problem here.


I after removing the original dash I trail fitted the 51 dash and it was a bit too wide on the right side


The steering column lined up ok with the gauge cluster.


Of course it was a bit too wide on the left side to.


They say that the first cut is the deepest, but we have to start somewhere.


New trail fit, it fits well against the steering column.


I cut out a piece of the 46 dash, apparently the 51 is mounted a bit closer to the firewall then the 42-48, Anyway by using this bit I could retain the original mounting points.


After that it was the small matter of fitting the right part of the dash metal.


This will give you an idea how much the dash was shortened. I had the metal mesh cadmium plated to give it a nice finish.


Trial fitting for the millionth time, but it’s starting to look good.


A small piece of metal solved the hole on the right side, I put in a bit of curve into it. So it will look more manufactured.


Since the front V did not line up with the firewall, I had to cut two slots along the front part.
It goes from 0 to 11mm (that’s half an inch to you at that other side of the pond). I cheated a bit and put a 20mm wide strip under the slot and tacked it together. Will use some led to cover up my crime later.


Had to drill a hole to get stop the glove box door arm hitting some body parts.


Now it was time to get my Scotch Brite type disc’s out, to grind away the old paint, they are a bit expensive but worth every krona ;-)


After that I had to tackle the right side, used some bits from the original dashboard, and then tacked, test mounted, and finally welded it up.


Now its time for the windshield mouldings, I made this tabs with press in M4 nuts.


Her I test mounted the mouldings, and you can see a bit of the right upper corner that I had to make to.


I know that you can buy new glove boxes, but am not sure if there is a 51 in a 42 type, and I had not time to wait for the shipping from USA. SO I built my own, out of steel


I made the upper and lower parts first, connected them with two strips of metal, to keep it in place during the manufacturing of the side parts.


Since am planning to put a stereo in the box, I had to make a hole in the backside, Used two different size socket in a wise.


This is how it came out; it’s a fast way of making nice looking holes.


The glove box ready, looking good or what,,,


After some more test fitting I found out I had to add another half inch steel strip, to get the windshield mouldings in the right place.


After cleaning the area thoroughly, I put on some flux before bringing out the lead, you have to heat the flux first and wipe it off with a rag, to create a good ground for the lead.


Lead work done, be sure to use breath filters and was after this grind work, lead is deadly as you know. I don’t have the skill to make the surface 100%, so there will be I thin layer of Bondo over it.


Since I have the ignition switch/lock in the steering column, I chose to put the start button in the original place for the 51 ignition lock/switch


I made a u shaped metal piece, with a slotted hole that the start button fits in.


Then I welded into the Ignition lock hole in that dash.


Then it is only to push the button with the cup into the dash, and it will sit in place like it was made for it ;-)


I ordered some genuine green Kustom Kemp knobs (made in China!!!!) anyway they look wicked.


I primed the dash with some grey filler, before I added the Bondo to fix all the bumps in the dash.


After some sanding I primed it with grey primer (it’s a Hot Rod you know), and I started to assemble the whole unit at the workbench.


This is how the glove box came out. And it’s a good picture on the right corner that I had to add.


The finished result, if I can say it myself it look’s GOOOOOOOD! ;-)
Maybe some pin striping would make it better.



Other side, what can I add. It’s not a big deal so go out and do it there’s is a lot of dashboards out there that needs a new home.

 

Very Impressive Mr 42!!!.....The dash looks very good, like it was ment to be there...and the two sockets to make a hole in sheetmetal is a great tech tip.

 

MR42, that is the most complete tech article I've seen. Very nice work!! THANK YOU...........OLDBEET

 

Lars: As always, a neat tech from you!
By the way, after reading the Wheels feature about Kalle Jonassons Merc I brought myself a perfect 51 Ford dash at Södertäljemarknaden about 15-20 years ago (200kr). For future use, and it still is...

 

Awesome. Thanks. How will that gray primer hold up to greasy fingerprints???

 

looks great

 

Thats a f**king awesome tech post and the dash looks perfect..Nice Work!

Cheers
MAIKi

 

Thanks boys.
RPW: I had to add a 0 to get min, so i guess we paid almost the same, Anyway put your dash in something they are wicked.

Tragig59:
The grey primer is a cheap K-Mart type spraybomb (Biltema) primer, and its more like a grey paint than primer. So it holds up well against the oily fingers.

That's the reason i added proper filler first, so i can sand the Spray primer of and paint it properly someday.

Once again im glad you appriciate my winters work..

 

I went to the Swap Meet i Norrköping today, and there the 42 was in person, the dashboard did sure look good (I did not see the owner anywhere or else he would have get the latest Lead News!).
One of the other cars there was a real neat old Swedish racer, flathead powered, parked right outside the gates of the Swapmeet halls (Lars: Any photos to show the Hambers what I mean? I forgot to bring else always present camera...)

 

Very Nice, thanks for taking time to post.

 

Tech Week winner for sure!!!

Bravo...excellent work and pictorial how-to!!!

 

Excellent, Mr 42..... your 51 dash came from California, so the speedometer was marked with MPH markings. Did you remark your 51 speedometer in KPH markings or have it done? That would make a great tech post all by itself.
Very nice work.

 

RPW im sorry i missed you, anyway im currently uploading 112 pics to my photo album, will post later tonight.

Regarding the Speedo i managed to fing a "Swedish" one with KM grading, so i dit not have to do anything with it.

 

Thats a nice looking dash. It looks so good its decieving about how much work went in to it. good tech

 

WOW! Great vision, ambbitious work, neat craftsmanship, and best of all the end result is outstanding! The best dashboard treatment I've seen in a late fat-fender Ford.