Gillig Phantom Dashboard/Cockpit Rehab - Page 2

ComfortEagle · 06-01-2018, 06:40 AM

The heaters I ordered from Jegs came in this week.

The 40K BTU unit will be going in the dash. I also got two of the 28K BTU units to replace units in the back.

Here is about where the dash heater will be installed. I got the defrost kit and vent kit and will be using them to properly plumb the heater...

Ninjakitty · 06-01-2018, 06:48 AM

Nice! Looks good.

cadillackid · 06-01-2018, 09:01 AM

those should do good.. be sure not to cover them in totally as you'll want future access to replace the motors, clean the coils, and check connections if need-be..

but why not add Dash A/C instead of just heat?
-Christopher

ComfortEagle · 06-01-2018, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

...but why not add Dash A/C instead of just heat?

What would you have recommended?

Ninjakitty · 06-01-2018, 11:19 AM

For me, the reason heat and not AC was know how and price., But mostly know how.

Or should I say I don't have the know how.

EastCoastCB · 06-01-2018, 12:48 PM

So much cleaner looking than the factory junk!

Stu & Filo. T · 06-05-2018, 12:54 PM

Since we're on the subject of gages, What about heads up displays? I used to have a Pontiac that displayed the speed on the windshield, Does anyone know if aftermarket gages are avail for something like that?

ComfortEagle · 06-05-2018, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T

Since we're on the subject of gages, What about heads up displays? I used to have a Pontiac that displayed the speed on the windshield, Does anyone know if aftermarket gages are avail for something like that?

I actually considered a HUD speedometer, and there are many inexpensive aftermarket units available. Ultimately I decided to stay traditional, with the goal of raising the gauges up and out from under the steering wheel.

I am still experimenting with the design, but I think I may go with the smaller gauges in a pod on the A-pillar as shown. I may even drill a few holes in the pod and mount my four warning lights on the pod too.

The pod fits pretty nicely in the location shown. In the pic the pod is just wedged in between the windshield trim and the drivers window trim.

Still trying to figure out how to get the big gauges up in front of the steering wheel...

Yukon Cornelius · 06-05-2018, 09:07 PM

The pillar pod looks good, are you planning to give it a turn inwards so it's facing the driver more. Hard to tell from the pic if it is or not, but parallax is a nuisance.

cadillackid · 06-05-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

What would you have recommended?

In my carpenter when I gutted out its driver heater box (it was trashed mess) I used a combo evaporator / heater for the driver heat.. then the jegs heater for the defroster vents.. it is made by ProAir LLC.. I had a thread write up on it but realized the mods deleted it because I had the pics on photobucket.. which they seemed to ban even though I have a paid PB subscription till end of 2018... oh well... the heat cool unit is a ducted evaporator with a heater core on it.. I have it set up where the ducts are split.. floor and dash... in winter I close the upper vents and open the lower.. or a mix of both... for summer I pretty much keep the lowers closed.. its about 30,000 BTU and keeps me nice N cool in the driver seat...

i'll see if i can resurrect the pics from someplace..
-Christopher

ComfortEagle · 06-06-2018, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yukon Cornelius

The pillar pod looks good, are you planning to give it a turn inwards so it's facing the driver more. Hard to tell from the pic if it is or not, but parallax is a nuisance.

"parallax"... nice. When viewed from the driver seat the angle of the gauges is pretty good. I may use a belt sander on the base to tweak the angle a little bit. I would like to move the pod up a bit; it will take some careful grinding to get it to fit properly

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillackid

In my carpenter when I gutted out its driver heater box (it was trashed mess) I used a combo evaporator / heater for the driver heat.. then the jegs heater for the defroster vents.. it is made by ProAir LLC.. I had a thread write up on it but realized the mods deleted it because I had the pics on photobucket.. which they seemed to ban even though I have a paid PB subscription till end of 2018... oh well... the heat cool unit is a ducted evaporator with a heater core on it.. I have it set up where the ducts are split.. floor and dash... in winter I close the upper vents and open the lower.. or a mix of both... for summer I pretty much keep the lowers closed.. its about 30,000 BTU and keeps me nice N cool in the driver seat...

i'll see if i can resurrect the pics from someplace..
-Christopher

I am interested in seeing more; thank you. Didn't you need a compressor also for the AC?

I used to use PB too. They really screwed their users with their sudden and outrageous 3PH fees. I'm surprised they are still in business.

ComfortEagle · 06-10-2018, 06:45 AM

I did a little work on the dash this weekend. I am still cleaning up the dashboard wiring on the bus. It is slow going but it's important to get it right the first time and there are a lot of wires...

My goals are:
1) Remove all the wiring that is no longer (or was never) needed without removing anything I still need.
2) Clean up the remaining wiring and make it easy to connect/disconnect and remove and replace switches/gauges/lights
3) Not to connect any wire without knowing exactly where it came from

I wired up the gauge pod and tested the lighting. As you can see I decided to put the few warning lights I still need on the pod as well. These are of course quality Chinese 16mm LED lights from eBay...

From top to bottom the warning lights are:
1) Parking brake
2) Brake fail
3) Water low
4) Oil low
5) Battery no charge

These will be the only "standalone" warning lights on the dash. Others (like low air) will be programmed into the corresponding gauge.

ComfortEagle · 06-16-2018, 06:11 PM

I got the basic parts of the dashboard cut and glued up yesterday and this afternoon.

Here is a mock up of the basic parts. The pieces will be stained a basic semitransparent black and then finished with spar urethane.

The middle section is bumped out for the heater. An enclosure will be added around the heater and all switches will be of the yet to be built bulkhead to the left of the driver seat.

The heater enclosure and dash supports will be painted black.

jimburke77502 · 06-19-2018, 07:34 PM

This is going to be interesting to see the final job. You gave me the idea of going all black dash with smoked out gauges so when everything is off it will look like one big blank panel. Still a long way off on that though. Only other thing I will be adding will be multiple LED monitor screens for the back up camera, front driving(dash cam) camera, and side view cameras. All of which will be able to record whether I'm driving or parked.

cycle61 · 06-19-2018, 08:04 PM

Very cool. Love the mechanical dashes.

ComfortEagle · 06-23-2018, 04:52 AM

After applying a few coats of black stain, I was not satisfied with the look and decided to paint the entire dashboard black. Once the rain clears out here in MD I will apply a few more light coats of paint, a few coats of spar urethane, and then finally I'll be ready to install the dash.

I added a cubby/pocket/glovebox/whatever under the dash with a divider. The left side of the cubby will have a cover with some switches on it and wiring inside. The righthand side will be framed out but open to put stuff (your weed?) in it. I will put some small red LEDs inside to light it up inside when the dash lights come on.

A view of the back side of the dash. This will be viewable from outside the bus so I wanted it to look presentable. Again, this is all just a mock up; more spraying and steel wool-ing before it's done.

Here I applied 12V to the gauges and compass just to see how they will look; sorry about the blurriness of the pic (and the messiness of my kitchen...)

I would welcome a nice hot sunny day to get this thing done...

Yukon Cornelius · 06-24-2018, 06:03 PM

it's looking really clean, solid work.

o1marc · 06-24-2018, 06:37 PM

Nice, it''ll look like you're at your office desk while driving.

ComfortEagle · 06-24-2018, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yukon Cornelius

it's looking really clean, solid work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Nice, it''ll look like you're at your office desk while driving.

Thanks guys. Hopefully in a few years it will be my only office desk...

cadillackid · 06-24-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

Thanks guys. Hopefully in a few years it will be my only office desk...

this is rockin!!!!! love this build out of the dash !!!

as for office .. I have one.. but my real work gets done when im in my "office with a steering wheel"... - dreamin up the next features and fixes for my product line..

-Christopher

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