RCR40 Dashboard Fitment

[Randy Folsom]

I am trying to figure out how to fit the dash. There is a lip around the front of the dash which is about 1/2” shy of the bottom of the demister recess. I have seen some builders cut a hole in the dash support panel, others have cut off the bottom of the demister (I went this route). However, I recently stopped by RCR and Fran told me the bottom of the recess should rest directly on the dash support so that it sets the dash height tightly under the lower windshield frame.

My question is, how are others supporting the rest of the dash? Blocks? If so, should the blocks raise the dash evenly or just support the front? If the dash is only raised in the front then it would be slanted down towards the driver which might be fine.

Also, my dash is somewhat warped so I am considering gluing the blocks to the underside of the dash and then drilling up through the dash support and pulling it down flat.

I don’t have a front roll bar, but I might add one later, so I plan to cut the ends off the dash and use a joint to connect therm back to the main dash.

 

[Adam]

Place your dash into the chassis and drop the spider over. It might be that the dash demister area sits too high for the spider placement. I had to build up the inner floor of the demister vent area and sand down the interface to the chassis.

 

[Randy Folsom]

Place your dash into the chassis and drop the spider over. It might be that the dash demister area sits too high for the spider placement. I had to build up the inner floor of the demister vent area and sand down the interface to the chassis.

I now understand that the front height is established by the fit under the spider and that the demister may need adjustment. How did you establish the height for the rear of the dash? Did you allow it to slope down?

 

[Adam]

I now understand that the front height is established by the fit under the spider and that the demister may need adjustment. How did you establish the height for the rear of the dash? Did you allow it to slope down?

The vertical sections of the dash that mount to the chassis have to sit flat and clear the doors when they close. To a certain degree they set the height of the dash that faces the passengers .

 

[Randy Folsom]

Thx much. I think I will use spacer blocks under the dash because my dash is a bit warped.

I have some fiberglass work do. I thought the flange around the front of the dash defined the height so I cut about 1/2” off the legs :-(

 

[Ryan L]

Depending on which original car you look at, the top section above the gauges was also warped. Obviously, the earlier cars were straight and then as time went on, they seemed to get a bit more deformed.

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There is some good photos of the dash fitment on 1080 if you look through the album.
Clearly shows the edge at the windscreen.

 

[Randy Folsom]

Those are some really great reference photos. Thx much for sharing.

So it seems that to be period correct I should leave the dash warped. Maybe even add a few waves

I think I will go with ‘as designed’ and straighten the dash. I have already made a few cuts to release the stress. I find working with fiberglass to be messy but very forgiving.