Just curious, all my Model A's have had the stock dash/gas tank combo. I have seen the dash section of the gas tank removed and another dash installed over the area, and I have seen others who install a dash directly over the stock dash to utlitze the steering column drop. Looking for ideas and methods. Thank you in advance.
The Aristocrat dash adds two more holes for gauges. Those responding to this thread will show you some examples, I'm sure. There is an issue you need to know about, though. Modern gauges are 2-1/16" outside diameter, which is larger than Model A holes for ammeter and fuel tank. If you aren't keeping the stock fuel tank, it is common to open up the holes for the fuel gauge, ammeter and where the stock ignition switch is on the left side of the dash. Seems like us hotrodders always want just one more gauge, or two, or . . . I moved the fuel tank on my '29AA and opened up holes in the stock dash for fuel, voltmeter and oil pressure, then fabricated an overhead console across the inside of the header where I've put the water temperature, transmission temperature and tachometer gauges. Haven't gotten it on the road yet but I think it will put the right gauges where I can see them at a glance.
I did a common method and cut the tank from the cowl, used a ‘32 dash made to Model A width,(from Brookville), and covered the upper edge with the stock A surround. It looks nice, enabled me to add AC and heat, and a 5- or 6-gauge panel easily fits in the middle. Pretty simple, but effective. John
I used the 32 dash for an A as well in my 31 roadster. I had to do some modification to use this gauge panel but it works well.
This was my A. I cut the front off a second tank and hung it from the windshield valance, in front of the original tank. I continued to use the original tank to fuel the car. The dash could then be cut to accept the deeper modern gauges, but I could still see the original gas gauge through the site glass. The Aristocrat accessory gauge panel mounts over the original gauge panel. Unfortunately, I believe the reproduction Aristocrat panel is not longer produced.
I just took a 38' Ford dash, modified it then cut it down to fit and added some brackets to the back side and now it just bolts in and out... just depends on what you want, how much money you want to spend and or time you want to put in it.... ...
Is your current tank in useable shape and were you wanting to use it? If not, the options are endless. My sedan had a tank that had already been cut up. I just used the “32 dash for Model As” from one of the street rod vendors. I did add a piece of 2” exhaust tubing cut in half lengthwise and reshaped to resemble a ‘33-‘34 dash rail across the top so it didn’t look like all the other ones. It had a faux “late ‘32 or early ‘33” transition dash look.
Still in progress. Victim of the "I know it's going to work, what's the next thing I need to figure out". Bead roller for the recess. Hammer form for the rolled edges. Home made dies for the raised rings around the gauges. Tach will mount to the steering column, left of the speedometer.
Great dash replacement for a 30/31 closed car is a 32-34 Ford pickup dash. Almost a perfect fit. Drawback is can't use the stock tank.
Scott, are looking to keep and use a stock tank or gut it. If you gut the stock tank then you can cut and section any dash you like to fit. If you keep the stock tank then you're limited on gauges. For stock tanks the Aristocrat dash insert is good (but no longer repo'd, I bought the display model years ago). For stock tank, this has some good ideas: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...nions-on-some-gauge-panels-i-made-up.1001696/ Many companies make a 2 gauge that bolts to the underside of the stock dash. Some other companies make one for the column. For a Tach I found a couple of these cups used on eBay since they don't make them anymore. It'll take just a little work to make them less street roddy.
Always infomative.......Now let's see how you supported your steering column.......Cage/bars/side to side? This is for those who DO NOT use the stock tank drop......=GO
I guess I'm the odd man out. I like the stock A dash panel. I'm not using the stock tank so I cut out the piece behind the dash and opened up the holes for modern instruments. I painted the speedometer face white to match the gauges.
Sure looks better than those that use the group that adds on a couple below the stock ones. With a roadster you can't use the trick of putting one or two into the header above the windshield. Not everyone can see them, but you're the one reading them when you need it.
I'm using the stock tank so mine will most likely have the stock gas gauge, stock speedometer and old Stewart Warner 2" tulip oil pressure, same water temp gauge, an old tach in the cup on the column and I'll make a bracket for the key switch and warning lights to put somewhere.......oh yeah, I'm using a '31 column drop also. Then I'll hide the starter push button on the lip of the dash facing down.
I hid the starter button on the far left back side of the upper dash bar (or whatever that is what it's called).
I totally agree. I used a '33 pickup dash in my '31 Slant-window Sedan...it was almost a bolt-in, once the tank was removed. Sorry about the lousy pic.
I appreciated the work and thought that goes into adapting other dashes into Model As. Very nice. John
. Well, I've screwed this up -- lost the only decent shot of the dash -- too late to teach me how to run this machine . . .
I went for a stock dash install with mods. The original tank is in great condition so didnt want to butcher it.
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