NOTE: Gauges shown in pictures are not included but can be bundled as an option
A little background
The previous 57-60 Instrument panel was simply a
vacuum-formed sheet of ABS plastic, then I would, by hand, cut each turn signal
indicator lamp ‘arrows’ in the panel and cut the holes using drill press. Glue
the turn signal lamp tube holders in place, mount the high beam indicator led
and ship it out.
It worked well enough but was not excellent. Sometimes the fit was great and sometimes not
so much depending on the cutting of the panel from the formed sheet and the
tweak of the 60+ year old steel dash.
Fast forward to today
The HyePo New 57-60 6-Gauge Instrument Panel is more of a
system rather than just a single item.
Much like before, I started by creating a new mold for
forming ABS plastic sheet. This gives us the basic shape that will allow
for an original installation. Once that part is cut out of the formed sheet,
the mounting holes are drilled for the six gauges (two 3-3/8” and four 2-1/16”
gauges as typical/standard aftermarket size) followed by the rest of the holes
for various purposes.
At this point, I am done with the major fabrication.
I have the aluminum inserts cut and ready to be placed in their position on the
face of the panel after the high beam LED is installed.
Next the 1/4” aluminum skinned composite backing plate is placed
on the backside of the assembly with the turn signal lenses and LED lamps in
place.
The insert and the backing plate are both held in place by
the gauges once they are mounted. (If the
instrument panel is purchased without gauges, I’ll shrink-wrap everything in
order for reference to keep it easy).
The rubber grommet is cut and will arrive loosely fitted
around the edge. It will need to be permanently installed by the
owner/installer.
The importance of the grommet is three-fold. 1- it ensures
that the panel fits well in the 60+ year old steel dash, 2 - it helps prevent
any rattles or squeaks that can occur as we bound around in these old trucks,
and 3 - offers great protection against scratching and wearing the painted
steel dash.
The owner or installer will need to finish installing the
grommet due to many wishing to finish the ABS panel in paint. I recommend
the seam be in the lower left corner as I have found this to be the least
noticeable place. Additionally, I use a drop of CA glue when starting to
fit the grommet on to hold it in place as I move around the panel, and again
when the grommet is cut to perfect make that perfect seam.
The rubber grommet is fitted on the edge with the adhesive
on the inside giving us the smaller lip showing around the perimeter (red tape
strip removed before permanent installation).
I have designed this to work with the Marshall Instrument
gauges although others of the same size should work just fine (but cannot
guarantee) and will be offering a bundled option with Marshall gauges as
well.
Currently, I am not going to make other variations.
That means no blank panels (without holes) and no 5-gauge setups….. yet!
Luckily, I was able to source all my materials (except the
LEDs which do not count) right here in the USA. Very important to me to
use American whenever possible. So I can say that this is 100% made in
the USA - except for the LEDs which still do not count. ??.
This also allows me to offer this at a price that is comparable to other
options being offered by others, most which do not include the panel while
maintaining a more original look (turn signal indicators). My thought
process was if I were designing the panel in the late ‘50s what might it look
like… and this is what I envisioned.
Also note that these are not mass-produced parts. They
are made one at a time as they are ordered.
Email me with any questions. Thanks for reading.
