====== Dash ====== ===== Out with the old! ===== Did I mention the 109 hasn't had a dashboard since at least 2005? If you can't be bothered to read [[eddie:rebuilds:hofs:start|the full saga of the big rebuild]], just know that it was done in a [[eddie:rebuilds:hofs:13_lab#wiring|caffeine-fuelled fever-dream]] against the clock, days before departing for Russia and with the proviso that the truck needed to be able to wade as deep as a Proto-class truck on 40" tyres... so, long story short - throw it all on the ceiling and sort it out later! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/ladoga_07/2007-06-12-17h05m33.jpg }} I never banged my head on this - everyone else who's ever gotten into the truck absolutely has though. I thank you all for the laughter and kind words ;) So, let's get it gone! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/20180414_184228.jpg }} It's like the ceiling vomited :blink: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/20180416_215328.jpg }} That's a weight off my mind - and a dent off my forehead! ===== In with the... classic! ===== {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/20180416_215403.jpg }} With enough cable ties we might just pull this off! So let's crack on with putting an actual dashboard back in... how hard can it be can I make my life? :rolleyes: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2018-11-18_17-20-10.jpg }} So, all I want is a totally original (looking) Series 3 dashboard but with a modern fusebox and relays plus full Megasquirt & EDIS setup tucked behind it in an orderly and accessible fashion... //is that so much to ask?// {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2018-11-18_17-44-09.jpg }} Fusebox fits down there, at least it does with no wires or anything else near it :glare: I'm using a modular fusebox from [[https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-52-fuse-boxes-fuses/c-248-modular-fuse-relay-housing-system|Vehicle Wiring Products]] which I think is made by MTX. I'm also using a [[https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-1-home/c-52-fuse-boxes-fuses/c-124-midi-mega-strip-fuse-holders/p-357-midi-mega-fuse-holder|Midi-Mega fuse holder]] as a distribution box behind the dash... it's going to be tight! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-03-23_15-33-01.jpg }} The plastic binnacles are //always// cracked, so I had a replacement lasered out - big thanks to TSD for drawing it in Autocad! If you're not that advanced, a bit of CAD (Cardboard Aided Design) should get you there well enough. {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-03-23_17-09-04.jpg }} Yep, this might even work! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-03-24_19-00-03.jpg }} Started wiring - [[https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-1-home/c-52-fuse-boxes-fuses/c-124-midi-mega-strip-fuse-holders/p-357-midi-mega-fuse-holder|4-way Midi fuse holder]] under the steering column mount to provide power & ground. {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-05-25_22-18-59.jpg }} ECU & EDIS module back there, this is getting cheeky cheeky! Let's check... {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-05-25_22-22-14.jpg }} Clearance is clearance! Gauges may not stay 100% original so clearance should increase if anything :wink: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/300/eddie_18/2019-03-23_17-11-29.jpg }}\\ Honestly I only wanted some cup washers for the binnacle but I found these cheap on eBay and, well, kinda had to :thefinger: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-06-16_18-39-49.jpg }} Soooo many hours spent crouched in the cab just fiddling with wires! :wacko: ===== Playing with my bottom ===== The old one had a hole in it... {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-06-16_17-06-20.jpg }} As I currently have no heater (certainly no standard heater that would blow into the dash) I made a new top section. With room to mount the Freelander dual-fan relay: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/300/eddie_18/2019-06-16_18-13-16.jpg }} **Now, about that fuse box...**\\ Yes as part of the expensive extensive complete rewire I'm hiding a proper modern-ish fusebox behind the dash, like this: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-06-15_18-05-24.jpg }} Now, while my wiring is obviously utterly perfect in every way, it's possible that by some incredible stroke of misfortune or manufacturing defect that a fuse may blow, and at that point I don't want to have to pull the whole lower dash out to get to it. So, out with the tin-snips! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-10-20_15-21-26.jpg }} {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-10-20_15-21-33.jpg }} {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-10-20_15-28-29.jpg }} I was only cutting through the metal, leaving the foam & vinyl alone. This is what I was left with: {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2019-10-20_15-31-35.jpg }} Trim some foam, steal some clips off the discarded section, and voila! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-10-20_15-52-36.jpg }} Yes, it's a shortened dashboard bottom! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-10-20_19-20-39.jpg }} Using a hacked-about dashboard bottom I picked up at Sodbury for a fiver, I did the same trick again to create a dashboard end that will bolt in & cover the fusebox. ===== Skip a few steps... ===== {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-11-23_17-57-40.jpg }} {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-11-23_18-18-28.jpg }} {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie_18/500/2019-11-23_18-18-35.jpg }} Central auxiliary panel holds diff lock switches, fan warning light and maybe some other stuff later. {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2020-01-05_19-42-42.jpg }} Dash top on! {{ http://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2020-01-26_19-32-58.jpg }} **[[11_gauges|Gauges ahoy!]]**