[Graham]

Hi Guys,



How have you racers fitted your dashes without use of the side mounts due to roll cages.



I can still get away with using my side mounts (my cage allows this although I did have to cut the dash) but want to hold it in place more securely.



Any ideas? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Car coming along nicely now although I have set myself a target of next spring for completion rather than this summer as was originally intended. There is a lot of work involved when you do it all yourself!



I am also looking at race liveries, any ideas?



Graham

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[Dave]

Graham - Are you talking about cage running through the dash? If so, the picture below shows one way... running through the side vents (I believe the Turbo Cup cars used this approach).



If I missed the question, please just point me in the right direction.

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[Graham]

Dave,



My cage is welded to the front quarter frame and thus runs just behind the dash vent (I will be able to fit the dash vent in place though)



What I have had to do is cut the dash along the top to accept the cage but I have been able to retain the side mount point.



My point is that the dash does not seem very secure now because of the loss of rigidity.



I wondered How people like Eric had mounted there dashes without the side mounts (see pic and hope you don't mind me using it Eric to stress my point)



Graham

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[Graham]

You can see clrearly that the original mounts are cut away

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[Graham]

My point is that the aluminium support in the middle can't be holding the whole weight of the dash in place can it?



Graham

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[Dave]

Okay, now I understand. As mine is still mounted on the sides, I'll defer to other who have a similar set-up then.



Cheers,

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[Graham]

Dave,



Where else is it mounted apart from the sides?



That is what I am asking.



I have forgotten it is that long since I took it out!



Graham

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[Eric_K]

Mine is only attached in the center. Most of the dash is supported by ledge the dash rests on at the base of the windshield. The sides of my dash are cut but there is some dash left in front of the downtubes which wedges it tight. It is in there very solid.



Eric

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[Dave]

I didn't build the cage myself, thus do not know how dash is mounted.

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[flash]

am i missing something? do you have to have the dash in there at all? that's a big heavy beast of a thing that i would think you would want to remove, and replace with something lighter

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[Graham]

Flash,



Stripped it actually does not seem to weigh that much really and being a right hand drive car my options are limited.



Doh! Thanks Eric



Of course the windscreen is not in my car and thus there is nothing to wedge it in place at the top which is where the mounting issue is.



I am correct in assuming that the dash leading edge goes OVER the metal lip of the shell below the windscreen and not under it as first thought?



Is that right?



Thanks in advance



Graham

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[Graham]

Sorry Eric, I don't quite understand.



How did you get the dash in if there without removing the material behind the down tubes?



I had to remove material in a straight line to slide it in from the driving seat side (looking towards the windscreen)



It is quite tight to the down tubes but I can't see how I could have installed it and still retained material behind the down tubes.



Don't suppose you could post some pics could you showing the dash around the down tubes please?



Graham

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[Eric_K]

There is not much dash left behind the tubes. The sides of the dash have been cut away and it just barely wraps the inside of the tube. Just enough to lock the dash in there. I'll try to get you a picture.

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[Eric_K]

am i missing something? do you have to have the dash in there at all? that's a big heavy beast of a thing that i would think you would want to remove, and replace with something lighter

True, if you are going for every last pound and are running a class that allows it. But, the gutted dash is really not that heavy.

For example, for USTCC you are supposed to have the stock dash pad and the minimum weight is high enough that it doesn't make sense to replace the dash (2900 w/driver).

Plus, I like the look as it is how the factory usually does its cars. The GT3 Cup cars for example have the stock dash.



Eric

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[Graham]

Oh dear



That locking in action is what I am missing as I have cut the dash straight past the cage for it to fit.



I will take a pic of how I have cut my dash to illustrate.



I may have to fabricate a bracket of some kind.



Thanks for the help by the way if you could take a pic that would be great



How did you get the dash in then? It must have been a struggle?



Graham

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[Eric_K]

Here is a pic of mine. Nothing fancy. I don't imagine the dash would have much movement - even if it doesn't touch the tubes.

   

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[Graham]

Ok makes sense now.



Still don't know how you managed to get that in there without the winscreen out I suppose it helps having cut away the bottom section which I have kept.



At least that has answered my question about whether the dash goes over or under the metal lip



Thanks Eric



Graham

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[Graham]

This is how I have cut the dash and now it rides off the lip at the front



Don't see how I could have got it in there otherwise as the cage is very tight to the a post



I think I'll have to bolt it somehow at the front



The other shot shows how I have been able to keep most of the side



Graham

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[Eric_K]

One thing I noticed is that my tunnel to dash center support is much beefier than yours. Mine is 6-8 inches deep and attaches to the tunnel with 3 bolts and to the dash with 4. Maybe yours is a light weight clubsport thing.

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[Graham]

Maybe, hmm...



That would explain a lot unless yours is a one off for your race car fabricated when the half dash ws in?



I thnk a couple of countersunk screws on the top edge should do it.



I think that will hold it on the lip hopefully.



Graham

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