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Side pieces were made and then tig welded in place. This was done to hide the sides of the gages which would have been exposed and easily seen from the side view. |
Construction is finished and the panel is checked one last time to make sure it fits. Holes in the top were drilled in line with existing holes beneath the ash tray. Once the panel is installed and the fit is satisfactory, it's ready for paint. |
For the finishing touch, a black "hammered" finish paint was used after primering with an aluminum etching primer. This paint was chosen due to its close resemblance of the console texture. |
The AutoMeter angle rings were needed to correct the angle of view for the gages. However there wasn't enough room between the gages so flats were milled allowing them to fit closer together. They were milled two at a time so that they could be held in the vise and to make the process faster. |
It's a tight fit. The lower row of gages had to be as high as it is so that the back of the gages would clear the console. |
The gages were wired so that the gage panel can be unpluged and removed as a unit in case there ever is a need to remove it. |
Putting it in place is easy. Bolting it in place is not so easy. The reach around the dash and bolting through the ash tray area is painstaking and requires patience. |
The end result is a clean look. The AutoMeter Carbon Fiber Gages do a nice job of complimenting the otherwise stock interior of "Crusher". |
