1959 El Camino/Impala Dash

[Laid_Out_50]

How hard would it be to install a 1959 Elco/Impala dash into a 1950 AD truck?

[mr48chev]

Can you trim it enough to fit without having it stick way out in the cab? It will still stick out a few inches but you should be able to trim the part that is back under the windshield of the 59 a bit to get the dash closer to the windshield.

I'll probably hear screaming on this one but on one of my cabs out here I took my sawzall to the stock (but hacked up) dash and cut it out leaving a lip the width of the guide on the saw to fasten a new dash in it. I have the original dash out of the 51 Mercury coupe that I bought when I was 16 that I am going to use in the next build with a custom instrument panel in it. It won't stick out much more than a stock one though.

A buddy in Texas put a 55 Sedan dash in one in the mid 70's. That looked pretty slick but took a lot of cutting and fitting.

A buddy here put a mid 60's Chevelle dash in his. Again he had to do some cutting and fitting.

Make a pattern of the top of your stock dash as it meets the windshield. then lay that pattern over the 59 dash and you should be able to figure if it is going to work or not.

[Laid_Out_50]

Are there any other cool looking dashes out there

[OrrieG]

One of the members here modified a 59 or 60 impala dash into his TF last year. He had to narrow it and change the curve at the windshield. When done it looked right at home.

[Laid_Out_50]

Does anyone know how much wider a 1959 impala dash is compared to a 1950 Chevy 3100

[Goatnut]

Alan has done a sweet install of what I think is a '59 Impala dash in a '65.
Keep hunting around in his build thread for more details. This is one wonderful truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=248460&page=5

[Goatnut]

here is a page from the build with a shot of the guages installed

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...248460&page=49

[ChuckDriver]

I've seen it done, but in my opinion it has to be narrowed to much. But I sure do like it in my 57!!

[OrrieG]

I think it works well in the TF trucks because they share the same relatively sized windshield configuration (curved sides and wider). to get them to fit in a TF only requires removing a couple of inches from the center. An AD would require much more and affect the aesthetics.

A better option might be a GM auto dash from a early 50's Pontiac, Buick or Caddy, lots of glitze and closer to the right width. Mopar might even work too. Do a google image search for AD year interiors and some will probably show up, I can't find the link but I know I have seen it done.

You might look over at the HAMB forum, they are always grafting parts from one rig into another. Just don't mention ratrod or billet!