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1958 Cj 5 Swiss Cheese Dashboard Help Needed

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Mark T., Aug 29, 2020.

  1. Aug 29, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    So my dash looks like Bubba was hungry for swiss cheese a few times and mounted just about everything he could find. Naturally he had to drill a 1/2", 1", or 1 1/2" hole every time he had a "good idea."

    My Dash is welded in spots and not bolted on. I think the factory may have done it to create lateral support for the heavy steel doors that go with the top I got with it. I digress..

    So I have two options as I see it. Cut out the wrong holes and weld in 4"-6" sheet metal patches for the larger holes and plug weld the smaller holes. My welding sheet metal skills are not pro-level but I am willing ot practice and learn on scrap before attempting to weld sheet metal on the jeep. My problem is I don't have a pattern that shows which holes were original. ie. grab bar, Throttle control, ignition key etc. Does anyone have a picture of a '58 dash they can share so I can avoid filling those in?

    The other option is to cut off the old dash and bolt a new one in. Are the new dashes quality steel and fit well or are they sloppy on the edges and placement of the holes?

    Any thoughts or ideas on this are appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 29, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Mark T. likes this.
  3. Aug 29, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Or.. find a good used one.

    I've pulled two out of the Town's metal dumpster, although each had minor mods.
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  4. Aug 29, 2020
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    The dash on mine is welded fast. In hindsight I should have drilled out the spotwelds and bolted the dash back in. Ease of repair as well as better accessibility to the wiring. There have been a few nice uncut ones come up in the for sale section.
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  5. Aug 29, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Oct 30, 2015
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    1,598
    I bought a new dash panel replacement from Walck’s, made in the USA! It’s very nice and I highly recommend it! I even bought the glove box door. You can see it in my gallery pics.
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  6. Aug 29, 2020
    sfrans

    sfrans AAGG

    East Wenatchee, WA
    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2012
    Messages:
    43
    So I bit the bullet and bought one from Double D Fab https://www.doubledfab.com/ Not to expensive for what you get. They're all custom made to order. I wanted a few holes left out. I'm doing a tilt wheel with ignition switch, wiper controls, and headlights. Heavy duty and high quality. Count me as very pleased. I'd recommend him to the most critical person.
    Plan 2-6 weeks which wasn't an issue for me. I'm probably a year out before install
     
    Mark T. and Fireball like this.
  7. Aug 30, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    It seems that Jeeps from around '58 to '62 that came with hardtops from the factory came with welded dash boards. I would drill the welds to remove it, and either repair what you have, or replace. Either way, bolt it back on.
    -Donny
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  8. Aug 30, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    Thank you. This is very helpful .
     
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  9. Aug 30, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
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    Nov 9, 2015
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    Interesting. I am pretty sure this may be the case on mine. My hardtop seems to be the one that came as a factory option. Thankfully I have a complete original that just needs some TLC. Glass is even complete. Thanks for the info.
     
  10. Aug 30, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    2- 6 weeks sounds great to me. I am making the long term rebuild plan now so that could get to me just in time.
     
  11. Aug 30, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    Do you still have the heavy hardtop on? My main concern is if the welds would provide more lateral support than the bolts for this very heavy hardtop I have. Mine is not spot welded on it has several places where a bead was run.
     
  12. Aug 30, 2020
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
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    160
  13. Aug 31, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    2nd the Double D. Very happy
     
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  14. Sep 11, 2020
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    May 30, 2008
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    Third recommendation for Double D - Dan is friendly and very amenable to custom work. I went back and forth with him for weeks with lots of changes and CAD drawings and revisions and he patiently made them until we ended up with exactly the dash I needed. My original dash was swiss cheese too, bondo and galvanized and rivets and holes for all sort of things.
     
    Mark T. likes this.
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