Removing instrument panel in a -39 six

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello!
Im changning the instrument panel in my six, because of the old one that was in is ruined by the previos owners (many many holes drillet and cut out of it)
I read that the panel also acts like a beam, but is that just for reinforcement when a collission occurs or is it reinforcing the body?

I know the welds on the top, and the riveted brackets on the bottom sides f the panel. Is it fastened on more ways than this? The long flat piece on each side, is that one welded as well? Os is it just pressed in there? Seems to be a really tight fit.
This project with changning the panel turned out to be a much more difficult task than i thought from the beginning.
Anyone who has done this procedure and can give me a description on how to remove the old panel in the best and easiest way possible?

/ Kristoffer

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I have a '37, which is probably similar to your 1939. I realized that the dashboard panel was welded to the car so I never attempted to remove it. I merely filled the extra holes by "leading in" thin steel panels, or with epoxy. Then I filled with a body putty, prime painted the panel, and woodgrained it -- while it was still attached to the car.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The tip i got was to cut out the damaged parts of the panel, then weld in the good parts, and woodgrain it.
    But the problem i have is that there is countless holes, and they are everywhere.
    Maybe this is the easier way anyway, to make a frankenstein board.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Kristoffer,

    Can you post pictures of the dashboard? That would give the forum members a better idea of what kind of problem you have. There are some members on this forum that would be able to suggest the best way to fix your problem.


    Kevin C.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I have now solved this problem, or almost a year ago, i forgot about this thread. Sorry for that.
    I did it in the way by cutting the old board in to pieces and then i welded in the new board as a complete part. It was quite easy job to get the new one in. I drilled some holes on the sides where it was welded so i could fix it in a good way, with the possibillity to adjust, then i fixed all the linkages that should be bolted to the dash, to make sure all holes and brackets got in the right place, and helped getting the dash not too high or too low. After this it was welded along the windshield and on the sides. Only stud welded.

    It is only the woodgraining left to do now, but i need to find someone who can do it for me. I found one place after the dash was in, but ironicaly their method required the dash out.
    But it was cheap, so i sm thinking of letting them do my window frames, around 400sek a piece ( around $50, a piece, but a total of $300 for all window frames when i spoke to them) they use a water printing method.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    Krille,
    I had taken the dash out of my 39 by drilling out the spot welds along the bottom of the windshield and each side of the cowel. Then I had some small damages in the dash repaired and then had the water printing method of wood graining. I reinstalled using rivets where the spot welds were. Worked out very well.
    Gene.
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