Does anyone know why the dash could not be shorter from top to bottom?

Does anyone know why the dash could not be shorter from top to bottom.

I am in the process of drawing my 1964 jeep CJ-5 in 3D, so I can design things for it to get machined. Which brings up some other question?

• Is there any one out there that has already done a 1964 era CJ-5 in 3D?
• Does any one have detailed information so I do not have to go measure everything to draw it?
• When I get mine done is there a place I could put my drawing so if someone else wanted to do what I am they would not have to start from square one?

Back to my current question, is there any reason that the dash has to be as tall as it is? I understand that it also holds the steering wheel. But I want to put in a tilt one anyway so something is going to change anyway. I don’t want the Junk collector in it (i.e. Glove box). So if I make the dash shorter and possible cut away some of the dash on the Drivers side and passenger side. Am I losing anything special?

My first thought to make one with a big cut out so I could just install one panel with the items I need to work on.

Second though was to make it 3 sections so I could change things by just making a new panel for the items I am adding or changing.

Third, as I was out measuring it to draw it. I was wondering why it needs to be so tall. If it was an inch or so shorter does it matter? I was thinking I could cut away some of the passenger side for more room and easier to get to that heater. I wouldn’t have to have the cutaway for the steering and just make a very nice looking bracket to hold the steering column. Still want three sections I think, maybe four one small one on the left side of the column.

Unfortunately for me I cannot think inside the box. So anything I see or problems I have had with any other vehicle I have ever owned, I must change it to fit what I perceive I should have. Sometimes I keep it and some times it changes to something else. I am not exactly sure of what I am going to put in it. So, I want it to be very easy for me to pull something have it machined and put it back on with out completely shutting down my vehicle. For now, I just want to get it up and running down the road. So I need to get a dash made. Then, I will start adding things that I want or have read on this forum that I want. My goal for the dash is to be as water proof as I can. I am using marine grade items and thinking about using Aluminum or Stainless steel for the dash.

So any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I will try to add some pictures of what I am think of as soon as I have drawn them.

 

Don't forget about the e-brake. It may or my not be relevant to angle change. Sounds very interesting on your 3-D work-up. Will be watching for it.

 

The dash does serve to strengthen the tub, it has a reinforcing channel at the bottom of it. It also holds up your windshield so you don't want it to flimsy. I would not think that multi-piecing it would be a good idea. Now if you want to put your gauges in a removeable panel thats different. To me removing the glove box is a bad idea, to litle storage in a cj anyway, I'll take all I can get. YMMV

 

you could add a piece of tubing to help the reinforce the body. but i don't think it would help that much.

why don't you want a glove box?

 

I was wondering if the dash didn't strenghten the body somehow.

When I got mine there is no e-brake there. There not even any cables in that area, have to do some more investagating. It's been a little to cold up here to be out in the garage. Wish I would have put the heater in last summer. Hate not being able to go out and work in my garage.

Glove boxes, I just don't like the look of them. Maybe if I design something that looks better I would put one in.

I haven't pulled mine dash out yet. so I didn't dawn on me about the top part not being useful, or the curve of the cowling.

Thank you all for your input, gives me more to think about.