After market dash, looks, function, weight reduction?

[yoshimitsuspeed]

So I was taking out my dash on my 2gsx today so I could fabricate my guage pod. During the fairly unpleasant removal I started thinking about options other than putting it back in. My idea is this. Make an aftermarket dash, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a little of bolth. Use either the stock heater ducting, or make something comperable, make a light dash shell to cover them up, make a seperate pod for the guage cluster,(Some new car has something like this I think it's the new Nissan 300 zx, maybe? not sure. I didn't really like the look but I like the concept) it could fit the stock cluster, or you could get different inserts for different aftermarket guages, This way if you want to do away with the stock cluster and run all Autometer you can put them in the same cluster pod. This pod could also be availible with additional integrated pods around it for your smaller guages. This would also be a benifit because when you are adding/changing guages,changing lightbulbs, ect all you have to do is take the cluster pod off to gain access. This dash would also make under dash modifications, running wire, lines, adding/removing parts, and making repairs much easier since the dash would come up in several smaller pieces. and would have easier access in general while in place. It would probably be smaller and simpler than the stock dash, designed mainly around functionality, but look good as well. Let me know what you guys think of this idea, If you would be interested in it,if you think it would sell, any design ideas,
Thanks

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

good luck....a fiberglass dash from a store to be built is around 2000

 

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I was planning on making it, and If the market is out there producing it, I think I could probably sell it in fiberglass for a couple hundered, of course carbon fiber would be a little more but I dont really think it would be worth it in this application unless you just want the looks.

 

[yoshimitsuspeed]

Does anybody else have a problem with their legs getting in the way of their steering wheel, and hands while they are trying to turn. This is also something I would like to incorperate into a modified center console. Move the radio over an inch or two, and mold the console over to allow more room for your right leg. I have my center console out right now and I love it, my hand no longer hits my leg when I am turning. I know I could also fix this problem with a steering wheel spacer and some low racing seats, but seats are expensive, and although I would like what the spacer would do to the wheel it would also move it further away from the blinker and wiper so I would have to take my hands off the wheel to reach them. I am also making a guage pod that will outrock any I have seen for the 2g, I will have some pics up soon.
In the process of making the pods I also found turtle wax is awsome for shining up uour dash

 

[DSMJim]

How about this?

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PM me if your interested, this is a universal fiberglass dash we sell. Not trying to turn this into a sales pitch as I never do that here on the board, however finding a universal fiberglass dashboard is pretty well impossible so I thought I would share that.

$550 canadian which is about $415 u.s..

http://www.etdracing.com/perfparts/turbobuilder.html - Scroll about 1/4 way down the page.

 

[jrivard]

If you can do it I'll give you props! But I can't imagine how many hours you'll spend making a design, making molds, and finishing it. I like your enthiusiam and idea, but I think once you get in to it you'll be hitting your held saying what the hell you were thinking. I know, I do it every time I look at my car.