11-24-2016, 09:18 PM | #1 |
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Filling a dash hole
About 50 years ago my cousins decided to kick in the speaker grill in my 54 chevy 3100. Over the years the speaker grill wound up being cut out entirely and being replaced with a crude cover with the typical 3 gauge aftermarket panel and a big blank spot. Now having the entire dash refinished and the question of what to do with the hole. Was thinking of having a nice filler panel made with room for gauges at the bottom and a GPS/tablet in the 10" x10" space. The truck is still in demolition phase and excuse the finger tip (arthritis). The function of the gps/tablet ideally could include navigation. speed, camera display and possibly altimeter plus anything else they think up. A simple power feed and detachable mount is what i'm thinking. I understand it might be possible to have full engine monitoring, phone and even a picture display. What do you think?
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11-24-2016, 10:03 PM | #2 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Great plan. I was considering the same for my 54 dash that someone cut up pretty bad. Plenty of 4g tablet options too. In the end I decided it was too modern for my old beater. I hope you can see it through.
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11-24-2016, 11:25 PM | #3 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
It already on a 4x4 chassis with a tilt column so originality is shot. Just like the old B-52s it served, the AF would make every modernization to keep them viable. Maybe I'll call it model 1954-EPU? Goal is for memorial day parade in 2017 with my 92 year old (?) USAF veteran right seater. USAF officials say I can use the old ARMY AIR CORP emblem on the doors but not the new one.
FWIW the truck was vandalized back in 1973 while I was in SEA. All the interior was stolen but the AF paid damages because it was parked in a "secure" lot on Nellis AFB in LV. |
11-25-2016, 02:14 AM | #4 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
I saw a photo of one that they had put a second glove box door in the middle where the old speaker grill had been the other day that looked presentable.
Can't find the photo now though.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
11-25-2016, 08:48 PM | #5 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
I have seen that along with a pull down radio cover. Age makes dependence on gps stuff even more important. Have heard, but not seen, Gps/tablet with radar and red light warnings. I assume collision avoidance, lane assistance and basic 360 radars are coming soon. These ADs have very limited areas for add-on instrumentation so why not make the best of bad deal on the dash.
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01-08-2017, 08:40 PM | #6 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
FWIW: I was unable to find a repop 54 dash (or parts) to repair the kicked in speaker grill on mine. I have decided modify the dash to hold an 8" tablet for GPS, SPEEDO, sound system phone and anything else one of these can do. My Even add wireless Bluetooth speakers, gauge senders and maybe even the radar warning/safety systems (like in our 2017 Mazda cx-9 signature)
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01-08-2017, 09:51 PM | #7 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Your truck appears to have originally been a hydra-matic truck by the transmission cover. If you decide to fabricate something different, That would be a sellable item.
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01-08-2017, 10:02 PM | #8 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
I love the tablet idea, I would try and find something to cover it when not in use to keep the style. The PO of my truck patched all the holes in my dash so I am currently looking for a stock dash. I was planning on doing something updated in the speaker cutout myself.
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01-08-2017, 11:02 PM | #9 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Good eye!! Came from LA plant to USAF in 1953-4 as a hydra-matic. The cover was severely altered when upgraded to 3 speed (2x) 4 speed (2x) and then 4x4.
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01-08-2017, 11:11 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
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01-08-2017, 11:37 PM | #11 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Don't know what engine you are running, but if you have an OBD2 plug, the program "Torque" uses a cheap-o (<$10) plug in, Bluetooth sender and will monitor all sorts of engine sensors. It displays them like gauges and you can customize the look. I definitely want to have this setup in my truck somewhere, but not necessarily in the dash.
Also, Skymangs (I think) used a piano hinge on his son's AD, and put the radio behind the grill in the dash. Turned out slick. |
01-08-2017, 11:54 PM | #12 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Its a brnad new GM performance 350. NO computer or OBD.
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01-08-2017, 11:58 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
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01-09-2017, 12:11 AM | #14 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
good choice. If you have no choice but to order stuff requiring truck freight think about everything you'll ever need and having them ship it ALL in one freight shipment. Especially true if you need a new windshield or bed rails.
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08-11-2018, 11:52 PM | #15 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Ready for gps any suggestions????? can fit up to 8x5" need Bluetooth for phone, sd slot, good sat connector, speed and clock plus all the other stuff that comes with. Room for swivel mount.
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08-12-2018, 01:46 AM | #16 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
You need a good car audio shop for that and if it were me it would be one of the last things I bought for the truck along with new tires.
Automotive electronic stuff seems to get obsolete pretty quick and waiting will get you the newest and best unit at the time you get it. It doesn't hurt to be continually checking to see what is out there though.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
08-12-2018, 10:54 AM | #17 | |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
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Full GPS with good sat pick up Large touch screen (8x5) easy to read in sunlight free map upgrades Bluetooth (hands free feature for phone) red light, speed trap warnings posted speed and speeding warnings clear speed/info readings FM voice transmitter (or direct turn by turn voice) Auto Dimming function SD card slot Good easy to use swivel mount rear view camera (wired) 3 way power options All the other bells and whistles of GPS's Optionally would be nice to have wi-fi Don't have an on board CPU so I don't thing an OBD program would function Was planning to have a little video history of the truck made to run on a loop when at shows and stuff. Would have of pictures of the F-111a's and those its dedicated to. Playback via the SD card? Am going to a couple car stereo places to see if i can get some help. FWIW Tires are like new and budget is shot so why the low budget. |
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08-12-2018, 01:34 PM | #18 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
i installed a monitor in my console when i built it and always regretted it, i never turned it on except to show it worked
i recently cut it out and all the wiring while i had the console out and installed a tach i do use a 3 inch, ten year old cell phone for gps speedo, it's just double sided taped to the dash bluetooth phone in an old truck will never work unless you use noise canceling headphones same goes for turn by turn navigation unless you crank it up to concert volumes just too much noise in these old trucks, a cell phone held to the ear can be hard to hear at 60 mph your better off using your phone for gps, as mentioned, electronics go out of date so fast any tablet with those specs would need it's own 4g cell and data plan, costly for every month of the year your phone will always be the newest electronic device in your truck spend your money on a mp3 player (same old phone for speedo), sub & speakers and amps to crank the music volume up over road noise
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08-12-2018, 01:55 PM | #19 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
Probably right. We have virtually NO cell service (no landline at all BTW). So dependent on net and satellite gps. If there was an affordable android with a satellite chip that might work. Been looking at a tablet with a chip like Samsung galaxy. Could detach it for use when not driving too. Noise is an issue but quiets down quite a bit when it drops into OD at 40+. I understand the FM transmitters will work thru the trucks stereo speakers which might work. Another 10 years and even our old trucks may be autonomous.
Might add a 15 dollar pyle am/fm/sd with remote works really well. Remote is IR so glove box door must be open (and kinda scary when driving). Heavy layers of soundproofing and good weatherstripping really cuts noise. |
08-12-2018, 08:25 PM | #20 |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
i thought you wanted to listen to music. a $15 pyle will make noise, not much else
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08-12-2018, 09:51 PM | #21 | |
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Re: Filling a dash hole
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EDIT: a knowledgeable tech from the satellite tv company told me today most all android phones and tablets have a GPS chip in them that can be used independent of the cell/wi/fi systems. This might be the way to go and will try it out soon. Last edited by vintovka; 08-14-2018 at 12:23 AM. |
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