ddhacor Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Hi Guys and Gals... I was wondering how you might have dealt with two issues: 1: Doing something custom/homemade to replace the dash (instead of paying a buttload to fix/replace the original cracked up one. I'm in Tucson and mine is completely shot. Maybe a fabricated piece of sheetmetal, etc. Obviously if you do this you don't mind not having original stuff. 2: How to get the underhood support bands/trusses reconnected to the hood. Any ideas are appreciated. Quote Link to comment
fiveNdime Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Carpet.....:lol:.....thats whats on my dash. As for the hood, I have never had to do this so someone else can chime in! Otherwise I guess you could go to a body and paint shop to see if they have something, thats probably where I would start. Quote Link to comment
Datsun4u Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Hi Guys and Gals...I was wondering how you might have dealt with two issues: 1: Doing something custom/homemade to replace the dash (instead of paying a buttload to fix/replace the original cracked up one. I'm in Tucson and mine is completely shot. Maybe a fabricated piece of sheetmetal, etc. Obviously if you do this you don't mind not having original stuff. 2: How to get the underhood support bands/trusses reconnected to the hood. Any ideas are appreciated. Check this thread out it might help with the hood. http://forum.ratsun.net/showthread.php?t=2750&highlight=hood+glue For the dash you might want to find another dash in the same condition and tear it apart to see if there is a metal dash under it like the 521's. good luck Quote Link to comment
Eastcoast521 Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 On my former 521 I simply recovered the dash. I went to a fabric store and bought some black vinyl, thin foam padding and spray glue. I took out the metal vents and ash tray pieces before applying the foam and vinyl. It is pretty simple to wrap the dash in foam and vinyl. The hardest part is making the ends look presentable, but it came out really nice, much nicer than carpet. Then I cut slits where the metal vent/ash tray pieces went and put them back in. Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 If it is for a 620 you are best off to wait to find a nice one or get a vinyl cover kit deal.I think too intense has these on ebay.I tried to vinyl wrap my 620 dash and it was horrible.Way to hard.A 520 dash is the easiest to wrap. Quote Link to comment
ddhacor Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Yeah, it's going on my 620. I've got a 74 in my yard also so I'll tear that one up and see what I can do. I'll check into the vinyl kit. As usual thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment
ddhacor Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Also, thanks for the link to the hood thread. If anyone wants to post a pic of their dash restore/customize that would be a big help. Quote Link to comment
ddhacor Posted May 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 Any of you guys ever done this with a dash. This truck is in the Customs gallery (the first one-red)... http://forum.ratsun.net/showthread.php?t=2364 I was checking out my dash and I think it's past even doing the bondo/paint thing. Not only is it cracked but it looks like the padding and cover have shrunk, causing the cracks to be about an inch wide...Something like this custom jobbie might work out. Quote Link to comment
dat620 Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 i have recovered a few 620 dashes, mine included, i've used vynal and tweed, either way it is a job to do, but the out come is great, i live in phx, if u want to take a drive up we can talk and you can see my truck also, my dash was just as bad as you are describing..:) Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 On my 620 i removed the entire dash & then used fiberglass resin on the viynl part,sanded it down & painted it..... & on my 521 i went the cheap way out....:lol: Quote Link to comment
JDM510 Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 i like it looks clean Quote Link to comment
subedats Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 On my dash I just saved up about 450 bucks and bought a new one from datsunrestor.com compleatly original from japan in the factory package and everything. and fit nicely too. sorry dont know about your hood Quote Link to comment
devilduece Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 ive sen dash pads for 89 bucks for the 620 ill find it and post a link Quote Link to comment
devilduece Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 mybad its a datsun 620 dash cap thats plastic Quote Link to comment
subedats Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 i had a dash pad thing... i hated it.. just didnt look good Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 As much as I like the 620 dash, the wiper and headlight knobs are a PITA to use. So I kind of liked the look of the late 720 dash with tach and clock option, easy enough to read and glows yellow/orange at night. Nice fan outlets and a separate outlet (bottom far right) to blow on the side window to defrost it too, nice! Not shown is the center 4X4 consol below the heater controls, yes it has the larger 720 heater too. The console has a stock oil pressure and volts gage in it. The top picture shows the arm with the variable wiper delay switch on it. The bottom picture shows the 280z steering wheel with the headlight switch mounted on the turn signal arm. Not everything is installed yet after the Z24/200sx tranny swap. This helps me get motivated. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/datzenmike/dash011.jpg[/img]"] http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/datzenmike/dash001.jpg[/img]"] Quote Link to comment
lerinmiller Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I got sick of looking at my dash too and decided it was time for a change. I first removed it and then tore off the old cracked vinyl and foam all the way to the metal. I gave it a quick sanding for some all purpose spray adhesive. I took a drill to the two metal pieces on the ends of the dash, you will find these once you tear the vinyl/foam off. Just flip the dash over and drill out the little spot welds. I then got some half inch foam from a fabric store and some black marine vinyl. I sprayed the top of the dash and the foam with the adhesive. Make sure to get the front of the dashso the foam makes a 90 degree angle before you cut it. I then sprayed the top of the foam and the back of the vinyl and laid the dash/foam on the vinyl face down. I'm sure you guys could figure the rest out. It just takes some manipulating with the vinyl but I got enough for two dashes just in case i didn't like the first results, and aquire some practice. It only costed about 30 bucks for all of that. just wanted to help and give anyone out there some pointers. I'll post some pics later so you can see how it looks and you can be the judge. i think it gives it more of a classic look. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 tpiwwop Quote Link to comment
rat tail dragger Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Hi Guys and Gals...I was wondering how you might have dealt with two issues: 1: Doing something custom/homemade to replace the dash (instead of paying a buttload to fix/replace the original cracked up one. I'm in Tucson and mine is completely shot. Maybe a fabricated piece of sheetmetal, etc. Obviously if you do this you don't mind not having original stuff. 2: How to get the underhood support bands/trusses reconnected to the hood. Any ideas are appreciated. they make expanding foam buy s e m product u just sqeeze a little on the spot after small scuff and then it attches to both parts re strengthen hood support like 25 bucks a tube i think Quote Link to comment
datman Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I remember a article in a magazine where they showed how to do vinyl on a 620 dash. I can scan it if you like. Quote Link to comment
420n620 Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 datman:: I would like to see that, please scan it for us.. :cool: Quote Link to comment
Z-train Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I just used "foam in-a-can" from Ace to anchor the hood supports. Quote Link to comment
Llittle_Llama Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 on my hood supports i use weatherstripping adhesive and a brick. i know i use that stuff too much, but i likes it :D Quote Link to comment
datman Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 datman:: I would like to see that, please scan it for us.. :cool: I'll have to dig for it. probably have it done tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
datman Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sorry! no luck finding the recovering article. I'll keep looking. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.