How hard is it to install brushed aluminum dash inserts? Do they line up good? Do they look good? Trying to decide if I want to order the inserts to install on my dash pieces or order the aluminum dash pieces themselves. For a 67.. there is quite a big price difference between the two routes. Thx for any advice. Mike
installing aluminum dash inserts
- Thread starter mikec35
- Start date
I'm interested as well. I've got a JME cluster with the camera case black and JME wants like $500 to convert mine over to a brushed case, no thanks!
zookeeper
Founding Member
I bought mine from Burton Antique Auto Parts for $350 off ebay. That included all new dash parts, with clear-coated panels that look great. They fit like OEM and included lots of shims to get everything to line up perfectly, nice instructions and new hardware. I would gladly buy from them again.
I'll vouch for Burton, he's a great guy. I loaned him some original parts to use as patterns a few years back.
Regarding the dash...the plastic portion of the units is different than the camera-case ones. For the deluxe interiors there were small slits cut (molded actually) into the back plate that the aluminum would go through and get bent back in order to fasten it. Not only do the camera-case versions not have these slits but even if they are created (with a hot X-acto knife like I did back in the '80s) the aluminum wont lay down correctly without the fencing around them that the original ones had.
The three smaller portions (metal in my case) of the dash for an AC-equipped car are also different, the deluxe ones did not use the slit method for attachment, they were simply glued since they were so much smaller gravity was not an issue. I cannot say how they worked on the three portions for a non-AC car, I don't think they were metal at all since there were not registers.
Regarding the dash...the plastic portion of the units is different than the camera-case ones. For the deluxe interiors there were small slits cut (molded actually) into the back plate that the aluminum would go through and get bent back in order to fasten it. Not only do the camera-case versions not have these slits but even if they are created (with a hot X-acto knife like I did back in the '80s) the aluminum wont lay down correctly without the fencing around them that the original ones had.
The three smaller portions (metal in my case) of the dash for an AC-equipped car are also different, the deluxe ones did not use the slit method for attachment, they were simply glued since they were so much smaller gravity was not an issue. I cannot say how they worked on the three portions for a non-AC car, I don't think they were metal at all since there were not registers.
zookeeper
Founding Member
Since you have such a bitchin' fastback, I'd be more than happy to! Sorry they're not the best pics in the world, but it's as good as I could get. My digital camera kinda blows in low light.
BTW, those smears on the passengers side are my kid's fingerprints in the dust. I didn't see them before I snapped the pics or I would have wiped them off. The only part you need to re-use from your original dash parts is the heater control cover, everything else is new and the aluminum panels are pre-mounted and fit perfectly. I did have to do some very minor trimming to get my gauges to fit, but it took about 5 seconds with the X-acto knife. Other than that, no problems. Hope this helps!
Soon I'll even be able to share pictures of the dang thing in the new color too!
Parts look really nice!
zookeeper
Founding Member
The high-beam horse is another reason I like the Burton parts. I always did like the '68 horse, but was about to install the '67 aluminum panels when found Burton's stuff on ebay. It's not exactly the same finish as the Mustang/Shelby orginals, since it is clear coated, but I really think it'll look new a lot longer. Take my kid's dusty finger prints for example. As we all know, the more you touch bare aluminum, the worse it looks, but the Burton panels allow you to just wipe anything off with no damage to the finish. And yes, it's a bench-seat fastback. I was going to swap to buckets, but since bench seat fastbacks are kinda rare, and likely for a good reason, I kept it in there to add some character to the car. Plus it's comfy. Please excuse the mess, but I'm in the final few days of finishing the car and the present task is fixing the sloppy shifter and wiring the stereo. Hopefully I can make a local car show that's this coming Sunday.Looks good Zoo! Didn't know he made a 68 version, nice horsey for the high-beam indicator too
Edit: is that bench seat?
Hello,
i bought all scott drake parts. The inserts are real aluminium and the dash bezel was ready to install........
- deluxe dash bezel
- panel trim kit (3 pieces)
- deluxe insert kit (4 pieces)
deluxe dash board
Markus
i bought all scott drake parts. The inserts are real aluminium and the dash bezel was ready to install........
- deluxe dash bezel
- panel trim kit (3 pieces)
- deluxe insert kit (4 pieces)
deluxe dash board
Markus
