More dash......



Started cutting the dash out of the 68. Did I mention air tools rule?

Whenever you are doing something like this, precise measurements are essential.

So- that said, I winged it...



Here's the carnage. What the heck was I thinking? Time to right thr wrong.



A quick test fit....



Lines up pretty good...



And on to smoothing out some of the wrinkles in the reclaimed dash.



Some dents near the ashtray...



I had to weld up a hole here from a toggle switch. I also had to hand form the bodyline back into the dash corner, it was flattened.



Another test fit....



Nice view!



Tomorrow- some more hammer and dolly work and hopefully I'll be tacking it in place!

Looks great, an improvement already.

looks great! Are you going to paint it?

Paint is on the list.

I'm trying to decide between a dark gray / silver 2 tone, or the original blue you see on the chopped up dash.

Finished up tin knocking and tacked the dash in place.

For those who don't have and don't think they can afford a decent MIG welder- here's mine, purchased at a pawn shop for $200.



It's a Dayton 160 amp MIG welder, made by Century for Grainger. It's a decent, if older, unit and it came with a box full of tips and some spare components.

The CO2/Argon tank was purchased from a seller on craigslist for $85. So for under $300 I have an industrial quality welder.

Deals are out there, you just have to be patient and jump when they pop up.


Well, the dash is in, the tacks aren't pretty but they don't need to be. Once it's welded up fully it will all be ground smooth.



I may fill the seams on each end for a smooth look, as I'm going to need to use some filler to smooth over some hammer marks.



This is going rather well, I should be able to crank out some progress this weekend!

Nice, always good to see progress.

Coming along nicely Gregg.

looking good...

That looks great. I would like to try and weld again.

But first a little fun.....


I tell everyone that the engine in the van is my 'temp' 350- I pulled it out of a 50,000 mile 74 Chevelle I used to have.

Not the highest power year for the SBC, but it works.


Oh, and-

I can haz pozi?



Yes, if you look close you can see a gas tank strap hanging. I was pulling holeshots in my driveway with no cab doors, and only one gas tank strap.

My first interior. Good thing I have no emotional attachment to it, it's nasty.







If you look above the rear doors, you'll see an overhead console, it has the tuners and controls for a 9" b&w TV that I built into a console behind the driver's seat. I could sit in the bed and reach up and change channels and adjust the volume..... way back in 1980.

Say goodbye....





Allllll goooone.....





Pretty scaly by the back doors, they always leaked. Only a coupls small holes though.

The 'optional equipment' tag....



By the way, never leave a cardboard box full of parts sit on your floor for 13 years. This used to be solid.



Some minor rot...



and the piece I made to replace it.