Dashboard

		NG TF Kit Car Build
		by Peter Bambrook



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Dashboard
		Walnut Dash
		I was very lucky and managed to purchase an as new dashboard from another builder who wanted to make their own dashboard to suit other instruments. I purchased the dash and side formers from Findhorn as it was far easier than fabricating my own. I marked where the position of the holes should be from the build manual and drilled the 5mm holes. I then clamped the dash board and former to the fibreglass tub and after ensuring everything was square and the dash was in the correct place I drilled through for the M5 set screws. As the screws will be covered by the foam and vinyl trim I used some sacrificial M5 nuts and fastened the set screws and nuts to the former. The screws were then welded to the steel former. I removed the nuts and ground the heads of the screws down a little to ensure that they don't create bulges in the foam trim. The dash was then fastened to the tub and the instruments trial fitted. The steering rack was adjusted and tightened. I bought a glove box and fastened this with some hardwood strips behind. The glove box door was a little annoying. The hinge had been pre-fitted but wasn't completely square. When the dashboard was tightened up to the body tub it became more obvious. I have removed the cover and will fit a new hinge the next time the dashboard is removed. I also had to make some modifications for the hazard warning switch and the overdrive switch. I drilled from the front with a hole cutter the diameter of the thread on the switch but only went a short way through. I then drilled with a bigger hole cutter, big enough for the plastic nut for the switch, from behind the hole. At the required depth I stopped and use the original hole cutter again from the front, this time going straight through. I then used a small chisel to snap out the remaining ring of plywood and cleaned the base of the hole. The same had to be done for the overdrive switch as it is designed for steel. As the opening isn't round I used a router from behind, a small amount at a time, being very careful. It was worth the effort and I think the result is very smart.