> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 05:40:58 -0800
> From: Roger <mr14162@earthlink.net>
> To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
> Subject: [oletrucks] Dash Change
> Reply-to: Roger <mr14162@earthlink.net>
> Hi, I have a 1959 GMC 3/4 ton truck. The Yey-hoo who owned my truck
> before me cut out the ash tray opening to put in a radio. I found
> another whole truck (same make, model, and year) that I'm going to buy
> and I was wanting to change out the dashboard. Does any one know the
> best way to do this without any damage to the cab? I was going to switch
> out the cabs but the donor cab floor panels are rusted really bad with
> holes. Thanks, Roger.
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
Geesh.. I thought I was the only one with this problem. I just removed
my
dash a couple of weeks ago (from the cab I will be using). The other
dash I
removed back in December. The 1st dash was easier, because the spot
welds were
accessable from the outside. I removed the dash using a "spot weld
remover
bit" I purchased.
The 2nd dash was harder, because the angle of the metal, (the dash is
in the
way). The way I saw it, I had two options.
1) Drill through the entire cab and dash metal from the outside.
2) Cut the dash off inside, so I could reach the spot welded area with
my bit.
I chose option 2, (whether better or not is debatable). It took
longer this
way I'm sure. And if you choose this route, be sure to cut it past the
metal
lip that hangs underneath. (I put a few cuts into mine - boo-boo). The
only
advantage to this is, you will not be drilling holes through the cabs
sheet
metal. (I saw this as allowing it all retain its strenth). Doing it
this way,
you will have tits of metal which you will have to grind off after you
drill
it.(on both, the keeper dash, and the keeper cab). I haven't
re-installed the
dash yet, so I'm not sure what I will run into there. Let me know
which way
you go .. (maybe there is even a better alternative - Like installing a
patch
panel where your damage is).
Other notes to ponder::
The book called for 34 spot welds across the top, and the 1st dash had
34.
The 2nd dash had 59.. I'm not sure why, maybe a new employee on the
assembly
line wanted to make sure it didn't fall off. :-)
I cut the brace on the underside off of the dash on the cab I was
keeping, and
cut the cab away from the brace on the dash I was keeping. This way, I
had
lots more room to keep the desired pieces intact, and less damage.
Good luck
Bert - 58 Apache
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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