So, I'm all for creative ideas. What do you think?

 

diamond plate...

 

Not a bad idea. It would tie in the Husky Liners nicely. Diamond plate only comes in pretty thick gauge though doesn't it. I'd like to stay light.

 

Go suede... It's pimp.

 

you could build a frame out of some lightweight ply wood and then fiberglass it. A lot of the mini-truckers build custom stuff like that. Go pick up a copy of Mini-Truckin' magazine for ideas.

 

Suede like this?

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...56&postcount=3

 

I've seen some custom fiberglass stuff. If the wood structure was kept to a minimum it could be pretty light.

I think I'm leaning towards metal though . . . . and very utilitarian.

 

Keep this up to date in case anything comes of it. I'm very interested.

 

Paper mache?

That suede interior is insane looking! Can you imagine trying to clean that after a day in the mud?!

I was thinking aluminum, but I think it would be difficult to work with and more on the expensive side... Jegs or Summit has an aluminum dash that retails for like $105 I think. I wanna do mine with just plates of aluminum one day, but it probably wont happen...

 

Coat the original with bed-liner? would be different & easy to clean.

 

What about this? Clean up the wiring into some nice neat looms etc. paint the bare metal parts a contrasting colour and cover it all with clear plexiglass with some tinted parts over /around the binnacle so you can read the gauges. Sort of like a "visible body" thing?

 

You could use light sheet metal and then use a graphic sticker of diamond plate, like they put on the sides of trucks, then it's cool and light weight.

 

Diamond plate comes in aluminum, and would be pretty light. Not any heavier than wood and fiberglass.

If you are going for super light, how about some stretched canvas with buttons. You could leave it plain, or embelish it with some designs or patterns. Although I've never seen it done, I think that could look clean, and provide super easy access for repairs or modifications.

Carbon fiber? If you dig that look.

 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455011

 

Thanks for the ideas everybody. I'll post pics of "dash de minimus" as soon as I drill a couple holes and assemble the brackets I fabbed today. In the mean time I need to figure out why my truck won't run.

 

Why it won't run... maybe it's shy and does'nt want to go out without any underwear (interior) on... hahahahahahahaha
Just a joke...
seriously maybe you nicked a wire or disconnected something when you stripped out the dash...or maybe the computer is looking for the binacle (gauges/idiot lights) for diagnostic type crap and since it ain't there is getting all pissey about it...
cheers aviator

 

I would do some race-inspired aluminum dash with like Autometer guages, Sparco steering wheel (with a quick disconnect because it's the best anti-theft of all time...) and matte out the top of it (less reflection). That's my 0.02

 

Diamond plate aluminum comes in very thin sheets as well. I've used some that's only like 18ga (picture the thickness of the cardboard backing of a writing tablet.)

If you want to build something from wood/fiberglass - use balsa. Easy to bend/cut/shape into amazing shapes. Build over a framework, then fiberglass the front side, then knock out the frame work, then glass the backside, then glass in the mounting tabs or whatever. Becomes extremely strong and nothing is lighter (except carbon, but that's very difficult to work with.)

 

I wish I had a picture now, but a guy I used to surf with had a FJ40 that had a huge piece of beautiful driftwood for his dash. Being in the salt water had brought out these amazing colors in the wood. I think he just cut it to fit, gave it a clearcoat, and drilled out spots for his gauges. It looked amazing. I don't know if it would go with your truck, but it's an idea. It is definitely unique, and very cool!

 

A custom dash machined out of one solid chunk of aluminum the size of a duffel bag.