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Old 10-15-2020, 08:01 AM   #1
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Dashboard

We are wanting to replace the dashboard and build out our own out of wood and trim. Any suggestions would be helpful. How difficult? Any picture inspiration would help! Thank in advance

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Old 10-15-2020, 08:18 AM   #2
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Take a look at comforteagle's dash build. I believe they have a thread just dedicated to the dash area. Serious dash board envy there.


Found it

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/g...b-22268-5.html
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Old 10-15-2020, 12:30 PM   #3
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Warewulf did a nice build too. Too bad they were forced to sell before finishing it.
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Old 10-16-2020, 07:31 PM   #4
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I rebuilt mine out of wood, then painted it white. Should be a couple pics in my album.Was a little challenging but just have to get creative. I do plan on completely redoing it eventually though, not 100% happy with it (although its way better than the original factory look)
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Old 10-16-2020, 07:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M&TBedfordVA View Post
We are wanting to replace the dashboard and build out our own out of wood and trim. Any suggestions would be helpful. How difficult? Any picture inspiration would help! Thank in advance
Here is what I did with mine.
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Old 10-17-2020, 07:48 PM   #6
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I once built a custom dashboard for a Winnebago owner using all aftermarket gauges. I started by cutting a sheet of light gauge (1/8") aluminum and laminating a sheet of real oak plywood over it. Once I got the layout right and cut out and filed all the holes and switch openings, it was just a matter of stain and finish. The reason for the aluminum was primarily to ground all the gauges for the lights and the extra stiffness helped while working on it. It really came out nice.
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Old 10-17-2020, 07:57 PM   #7
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the metal behind the wood also adds strength and keeps it from warping.. my big issue with solid wood dashes is warpage if you get into a lot of moist situations with high humidity..



I recommend anyone doing a complete re-do of their dash add dashboard A/C! or at least add the provisions for it to be installed later.. the addition of dashboard air in my dev bus has been a game changer.. from a bus i wouldnt touch in summer to now being my primary summer runner.. my red bus is my real highway cruiser however I hardly use it in summer anymore because the A/C is all in the back and I roast up front..
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Old 10-17-2020, 08:57 PM   #8
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cadillackid Do you have any pictures of your ac set up in the dash? That would be cool
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Old 10-18-2020, 01:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdrobbins77 View Post
I rebuilt mine out of wood, then painted it white. Should be a couple pics in my album.Was a little challenging but just have to get creative. I do plan on completely redoing it eventually though, not 100% happy with it (although its way better than the original factory look)
Not happy with it? Wow! My wife and I like the look of your dashboard!
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Old 10-21-2020, 03:11 PM   #10
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Oh crap. Phatman I love your dashboard. I wish I had the skills to do that
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Old 10-21-2020, 08:02 PM   #11
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Oh crap. Phatman I love your dashboard. I wish I had the skills to do that
Thank you witchywoman. You have more skills than you may give yourself credit for. Just the fact that you are tackling a bus proves it. The main thing is having the tools. Start small and work your way up. You give me an idea for a thread to start. I will give you top billing for the idea when I post it. Enough of the ramble. Get to work. You can do it !!
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:34 PM   #12
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Oh crap. Phatman I love your dashboard. I wish I had the skills to do that

I see a crochet dash in your future
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Old 11-03-2020, 11:58 PM   #13
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I love the dash that comforteagle did and I want to do something similar but I have the Bluebird all in one dash with the multigage cluster and wonder about separating the wiring for each gauge. Is that even possible?

I am going to move some switches, the brake valve and the whole cluster because they are all in very inconvenient places and I have to lean forward to even see the idiot lights at the bottom of the cluster. You can see the dash in it's present state and the fuel gauge in the center is the multi-gauge unit with a rocker switch located very low on the dash meaning I have to stretch down low to activate it, very annoying.
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