Happy Friday man has this been a tough week. Long Story !!

Dave made the dash panel it's amazing how close to factory it looks.
We made a couple Cluster Housing Surrounds I should have some more pics on Saturday.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_012.jpg

The dash is actually 1" Shorter then the factory dash.
Hard to tell from the pics but the P-Side is one inch lower the D-Side from the Factory.
We decided to make the dash the same height from left to right.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_013.jpg

Hard to tell from the pics but the all of the radius bends in the truck match.
I plan to have my Buddy Opie come out and help plan the Radio/Navagation in the dash.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_015.jpg

My goal is to make sure the Dash looks like something the factory could have built.
When you look in the truck I want people to think it's the stock Dash modified.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_016.jpg

The motor is finally mounted (tacked) back in place. Dave also evened up everything again.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_001.jpg

MAN!!! that looks like its going to be sweet! Keep us updated!

Yep the string is back.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_002.jpg

You can see the new Motor mounts. I think this is the third Set.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_006.jpg

Once we are certain that this is the final location of the motor Dave is going to box the mounts.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_23_010.jpg

That's it for tonight more to come on Saturday

Too bad there wasn't some way to wire in the new class 2 data system. Then you could hook up one of the newer GM navigation head units. That would be awesome

Every thing looks freeking awesome! Keep on welding!

man would that be cool

It's Saturday and it's time to get some work done on the truck

Scott over at www.syclone-typhoon.com hooked me up with the prototype of the gt Cladding.
The Fit was great with only a little bit of trimming on the Mounting Elbow.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_001.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_007.jpg

I brought the Factory Dash Surround it to see how it looks on the Steel Dash.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_012.jpg

This gives you an idea of how much free space we gained behind the dash.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_013.jpg

Motor is back to Center

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_029.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_045.jpg

Fit the intercooler back in and decided to open up some space around it.
Dave will make a new horizontal brace for the core support

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._03_25_046.jpg

Looks killer! keep the pics coming

progress...thats what I like to see!

what are you doing for a harness? re-using the factory unit or maybe one from performance wiring? If you are going with a custom harness, you might ask if there is any way to work in the wiring for the new navigation units. I know that the 03 model s-10s have the proper wiring.

Actually i am using an American Auto Wire Harness. I got it from Lisa and Frank at: www.gpsuperstore.com ( Prodigy Customs ). They are really easy to work with and i received the harness in two day's.

This is the kit that i have:

500695 Highway 22 Wire Harness
500722 Battery Trunk Mount Kit
500187 Grommets 1 3/4" ( 2 )
500330 12 Extra Heavy Duty Ground Straps ( 2 )

The reason i choose this harness over all of the other one's out there is the fact that the wires terminate at the fuse panel so i don't have to worry about having wire that are to long or to short. It makes for a much cleaner set up.

As far as the Navigation goes i am looking at some of the units by Pioneer and Sony. However i may just try to run something simple like a MP3 Player only in the truck.

sounds like you've got it goin on.

Marty,

Thanks for the dash pics, both on the thread and emailed. They help a lot. Will continue to watch the build avidly.

Stonebreaker

your welcome

Dave started the Dash Bezel and was waiting for my opinions on it.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_001.jpg

Were going to remove 3/8" off the front an move it a little closer to the dash pad.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_003.jpg

We extended the front a little to make look a little more finished

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_005.jpg

We will even be able to use the factory lower dash trim.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_009.jpg

Here is the concept of the Gauges - however they are not to scale.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_015.jpg

Top View

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_018.jpg

The intercooler is plumbed yet again.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_021.jpg

Okay Tom - The pipe is now centered in the truck.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_026.jpg

New Drivers Side Downpipe.
Looks a little better and we've gained needed inner fender clearence.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_027.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_01_031.jpg

Were still waiting for the Steering Column so Dave can do the Drivers Side. I hope to have it by next weekend.

OK, so what's next? Are you going to put some kind of padding on the dash to soften the edges of the steel, or are you going to leave it bare/unpadded?

The dash itself will be padded and covered in Leather. The surround will be softened (you will see in this weeks updates) and then sent to Hydroillusions to get painted to look like Carbon Fiber. Similar to this one that is on my black GT.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/...7_0759_IMG.jpg

Good Morning All,

It was kinda a slow week. We were waiting for parts from Billet Specialties (man are these nice pieces).
We ordered there Column, 2 1/2" Drop, Steering wheel and all the other little pieces to that we needed.

Here is the New Steering Wheel.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_002.jpg

New Billet Column - To bad you can't see how nice it is.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_003.jpg

You can see the dash bezel is starting to take shape.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_011.jpg

Slid the column in place

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_013.jpg

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_014.jpg

I figure I am going to say it before someone else does.
Yep my shaft is just a little bit to long.
I dropped it off at Billet Specialties and they said they are going to remove the needed 6".

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_015.jpg

Here is a close up of the dash bezel

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_06_017.jpg


That's all for this week.

Although very custom, that dash should look like a factory piece when done. Very nice.

Mike

looking good!

Looks like I'm going to be investing in a sheet metal brake!

Thank you as that is exactly my goal.

Thank you


I have a friend on this BB that is considering making a mold of this dash in fiberglass. So he can offer it to others.

Good Day All,

Sorry it took so long to send this out it was a long weekend.

Well the shaft has been shortened and it fits really nice.
Shinny isn't it.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_001.jpg

Yep looks just like last week how ever the shaft doesn't hang out of the firewall by 6"

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_006.jpg

Okay looking for some photoshop help here - any one interested in mocking up the dash for me.

I would sure love the help and visual of what the dash may look like.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_007.jpg

This is going to be the location of the Billet Specialties Vents.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_008.jpg

Dave hung the Brake Pedal - We are going to remake this in Billet to match the pedal.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_003.jpg

You can see the balance bar under the dash for the Dual Master Cylnder Set Up.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_004.jpg

The new Master Cylnders - we may change these to something a little cleaner looking.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_011.jpg

Wait there is my steering shaft hanging out of the firewall.
Please don't make a comment about my u-joint.

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/..._04_14_012.jpg

We did a lot of talking for next weeks mods.

maybe make a 5th firewall that hides them :rofl: :rofl:

Looks Killer! :thumbsup:

I am liking it
 

I like the dual master...I have one being fabbed even as we speak to run with the stock pedals

Tricky Truck!

crack me up

maybe some nice billet pieces to hang on the firewall

here are some of the dash idea's that the guy's on syty.net have come up with. Some are still works in progress.

http://mirradographics.com/martydash.jpg

http://mirradographics.com/martydash2.jpg

http://www.tcarterdesigns.net/syty/P...gtt/dash_2.jpg

http://mirradographics.com/martydash3.jpg

I love those gauges! I Think ill put those in my car :thumbsup:

Marty with as clean as the dash looks in bare metal it would be a shame to fill it up with a bunch of stuff. I like the simple look myself. The last pic of the gauges looks pretty cool! :thumbsup:

I agree with you it's to much clutter. I am thinking about doing something like this.

http://s-seriesforum.com/albums/album60/gaugelayout.gif

I would turf the radio and the heater controls. The controls can be put on the underside of the dash. Many headunit companies make marine decks with small wired remotes that have buttons and a LCD on them so you can still see your normal display information. We use the Clarion alot cause its only 2" round and controls the deck, 6 disc stacker, iPod and Sirius all from it and all you see is a nice little round controller that fits nicely into consoles on the floor or overhead.

Here is a LINK to a picture of it.

Kenwood, Sony and Pioneer all make a version also.

Dakota digital also just brought out a digital controller for the Vintage Air GENII systems, it's small and could be hidden as well.

I like the last layout.......the one with the 8 gauges....

Okay that is exactly the type of Radio i would love to have in my truck.

I will jump on the Dakota Digital web site and see if i can find the heater control.

Thank you for the help & link

Here is the latest version of the dash

http://mirradographics.com/martydash4.jpg

looks good :thumbsup: