Please Help before I pull my hair out

jr_vw2 · Post by **jr_vw2** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:38 am

Ok guys I am comeing to you for help. I cant make up my mind on how I want to configure my gauges and dash set up. I will be running a 3 3/8 Speedo and 2" oil pressure, cyl. head temp gauges. I will not have any switches or buttons on the front side of my dash, just gauges. But I cant for the life of me find a configuration that I just love. I dont like to be ordinary. If you guys could throw out some Ideas I would like to hear them. Oh and by the way I will be going with Autometer gauges in either the phantom or the ultra lite. thanks.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:17 am

The inspiration for many a car. The best compliment is to be copied. http://www.vdubn.com/dunebuggys/Manx/As ... _dash2.JPG

Mvovr · Post by **Mvovr** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:24 am

Man that dash ROCKS!!!!!

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:56 am

I agree, that is

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:05 am

Jeremy, The dashboard frame in your buggy doesn't look like it can be bolted to your windshield frame. The main reason for the cross tube behind the dash is to support the steering column, but also, the bars on each end of the frame are supposed to be vertical and go up inside hood, behind the legs of the windshield. The bolts that hold on the windshield are supposed to go through the hood and then also through the vertical steel bars on each end of the frame. I've seen windshields that are just bolted to the fiberglass hood. The hood will eventually break.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:56 am

Ok need to have that steering column on the pic....what kind is it? Looks clean, has a turn signal switch, will solve the biggest of my many panning headackes. thanks!

shaihulud · Post by **shaihulud** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:10 am

My suggestion is to not cut any holes for any instruments in the dash board until you have test fitted the steering wheel and seats. Sit in the seat, hold the steering wheel at the normal driving position of your hands at 10 to 2 and then put the speedo and tacho where you can see them both with only a glance. You want to be able to read both of them without needing to move your head. Other instruments such as oil pressure can be looked at by moving the head a bit as you read them less often. I think Cairo Manx is correct. You appear to have miss fitted the frame. The tube should not be visible. it should be up the top under the rounded edge beside the wind screen.

jr_vw2 · Post by **jr_vw2** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:51 pm

As far as my steering clomun brace. This is how i wanted it to look. I wanted to be able to see it. I have a brace that runs behind the dash as well to suprt the windshield. Thanks for the concerns

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:23 pm

[QUOTE="alexh"]Ok need to have that steering column on the pic....what kind is it? Looks clean, has a turn signal switch, will solve the biggest of my many panning headackes. thanks![/QUOTE] This is a stock VW steering column...they don't get much cleaner.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:11 pm

Jeremy, The dashboard frame in your buggy doesn't look like it can be bolted to your windshield frame. The main reason for the cross tube behind the dash is to support the steering column, but also, the bars on each end of the frame are supposed to be vertical and go up inside hood, behind the legs of the windshield. The bolts that hold on the windshield are supposed to go through the hood and then also through the vertical steel bars on each end of the frame. I've seen windshields that are just bolted to the fiberglass hood. The hood will eventually break.

I agree, and I too intended to tie everything together from the windshield frame to the body and support the column. In haste, I ordered the Berrien mount and I am disappointed. The piece looks great but does nothing to tie the windshield, hood, steering column, all together, rather it is a rest for the column to lay on much like Jeremy's brace. So will Jeremy's brace work....yes, best design...no. I may take my berrien brace and tweak it some to tie everything together. Jeremy too could easily add some braces up to the side of the hood for extra support. I guess the moral of the story is their is no right way or wrong way to build these things. The beauty of each car is that they are expressions of each person. They are each person's visions that have come true. This website is awesome as it allows us to share our ideas and create new ones at a much faster pace. I love it. Can you imagine trying to build one of these things without the internet? I would have been lost. With the help and ideas of many, namely "BIG" names like Jerry D, Dale M. and Dune Buggy Dean, my car is almost finished. It is come full circle from dream to reality. I think the key to help here is we need more pics!!! Take pics of everything you do. Pictures can help tremendously when building one of these. Just take a look at newmanx59's gallery. If you don't learn anything, take another look. Ok everyone, get your cameras out!!! dismount soapbox Michael

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:46 pm

Murz, I completely agree. I can't tell you how many times during my build I got stumped, took a picture, ran in the house, posted a question and had my problem answered within minutes by the likes of Jerry, Lee or the many other helpful folks. Being on the East Coast, reputable VW shops are few and far between. People that have a knowledge of Dune Buggies are even more rare. The internet has made everything easier and can literally school you in something to make you an expert in anything your interested in. I just wish it had been invented while I was in college. I could have probably drank more beer. :drinking:

gregr · Post by **gregr** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:09 pm

Here's mine, pretty basic....but works great. I had the panel clear anodized

90volts · Post by **90volts** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:10 pm

so does anyone other than berrien make a decent support? or does someone have plans. i don't weld, but may be able to find someone to do it.the berrien looked pretty solid on their site. what's the problem with them?