Dash Reassembly -

[GrantOv]

I'm starting to piece back my dash. It may be a few weeks as I haven't got my gauges back yet but but still quite a few things I can do in the meantime.

A couple questions I could use some help with -
1) For the center bezel air vent it could fit either way and I'm not sure which way it should be. Either with the angle down or vice versa? See pic of where I have the long or tall side towards the top.

2) To reattach a new glove box bezel I believe I need to use pressed nuts. The diameter of the plastic stud is approx 3/8". But trying the 1/2" pressed nut seems to tight. First off, are pressed nuts what is recommended for this panel? And if so, what size and where to find them as they are sort of a nonstandard item. The 1/2" is just a bit too tight for my comfort so one thought is that I could hone them out a bit with a bolt or thread cutter?? Thoughts on next steps?

Thanks!

 

[Bentworker]

On #2- that has been an issue with the repop deluxe dash panels forever. The posts are oversize. I couldn’t find the post, but I think I bought different hex speed nuts from McMaster Carr that were slightly larger.

Edit… see my post below. Looks like on my repop the posts were smaller than OEM.

 

[GrantOv]

Thinking about this a bit longer - perhaps something like this may be the ticket? The first is called a push on fastener and likely are difficult to remove. The second is a speed nut which I think is what Bentworker was referring to from McMaster Carr. Anyone else use these on the aftermarket dash panels?

 

[Moderator73]

On #1, you want the longer side on the bottom. It looks like yours is upside down. Here's a picture of what it should look like from the back side installed.

On #2, the original Stamped Nuts that fit your original bezel are available from AMK products. I don't know about variances on the reproduction sizes, because I reused my original. But if you want to try 4 new nuts here's a link:

https://www.amkproducts.com/bulk-fasteners-products/?Product_ID=12965

 

[GrantOv]

Thanks again for the tips and links!

A couple ore things I ran into today that may be obvious to someone that has done this recently.

(1) I was reinstalling my AC/Heat controller and noticed that it does not fit in the opening cleanly. The unit has a surface that a person would think would fit in the opening but its about 1/8 larger than either my new radio/heater bezel or my old one. Maybe that is just the way its supposed to be?

(2) Does anyone have a picture of how the floor convenience lamp units are mounted? I assume one of the holes under the dash are meant for it but not sure which one etc., Also - since the lamp ground is through the connection I assume we should make sure the bolted connection to the dash and from dash to car are making a clean connection. I'm not sure what else is counting on the dash for the ground path return.

(3) I am baffled at how the long skinny trim piece is actually supposed to be mounted. The holes line up with either instrument or glovebox side somewhat but the shape fits neither as a trim piece. What am I missing here?

Thanks!

 

[Moderator73]

Thanks again for the tips and links!

A couple ore things I ran into today that may be obvious to someone that has done this recently.

(1) I was reinstalling my AC/Heat controller and noticed that it does not fit in the opening cleanly. The unit has a surface that a person would think would fit in the opening but its about 1/8 larger than either my new radio/heater bezel or my old one. Maybe that is just the way its supposed to be?

(2) Does anyone have a picture of how the floor convenience lamp units are mounted? I assume one of the holes under the dash are meant for it but not sure which one etc., Also - since the lamp ground is through the connection I assume we should make sure the bolted connection to the dash and from dash to car are making a clean connection. I'm not sure what else is counting on the dash for the ground path return.

(3) I am baffled at how the long skinny trim piece is actually supposed to be mounted. The holes line up with either instrument or glovebox side somewhat but the shape fits neither as a trim piece. What am I missing here?

Thanks!

1-Your AC/Heat controller face sits behind your Radio/Heater Bezel. You're right, this is the way it's supposed to be. I like your new Radio Bezel...nice upgrade

2-Here's a picture of my courtesy lamps mounted on my dash on each side. I did like you said and scraped some paint away where the bolt attaches.

3-If you plan to reinstall your Deluxe Bezel above your glove box, you can't fit that long skinny trim piece in. It's already molded into the top edge of your Deluxe Bezel panel in your picture. I think that skinny trim piece is for dash panels that don't have the big Deluxe Bezel, but just the painted metal dash. So you have both methods to trim the gap between the dash panel and the dash pad. I'm attaching a couple of diagrams that might help you see how it's all mounted.

 

[GrantOv]

Perfect - I understand now regarding the skinny trim piece. Thanks for the mounting pictures. I'll make sure to scrape off a little paint on the main dash mounting bolts also.

I ended up color matching my dash to the exterior - I'm really happy with the way that looks. Very cool to see it coming together again.

 

[Bentworker]

https://7173mustangs.com/threads/re...t-they-made-the-mounting-posts-smaller.36875/