Instrument Panel

The original dash panel of the FJ45 is cluttered with latches for the windshield, knobs for all heater functrions and, of course, the large hi-low transfer chase shift lever. I wanted to redo the dash to make a cleaner panel and eliminate knobs, holes and levers that would not bee needed. For example, I do not plan to have a fold-down windshield or a heater, so those items were eliminated and their holes were either welded shut or covered up with a new one-piece dash panel.

The new dash panel was fabricated from a .250" thick sheet of aluminum. It was cut by hand using a jig saw and a template made from cardboard. After the correct size and shape was achieved, the edges were beveled by hand using a common mill bastard file. The holes for the instruments were cut with hole saws and the holes for the switches were cut with end mills, both on my milling machine. Prior to painting, the aluminum was painted with a high-quality self-etching primer. This is necessary to acheive good adhesion to the aluminum.

Some pictures of the final product

All of the gauges are Autometer "Z-Series" gauges. From the left to the right, they include the following:

Air Fuel Mixture (using the driver's side oxygen sensor for input)

Voltmeter

Oil Pressure

Tachometer

Water Temperature

Fuel Level

Fuel Pressure (measured at the fuel rail)

Air Pressure in the ARB Circuit

Rocker switches inlcude the following

Front ARB

ARB Compressor

Rear ARB

Running Lights

Headlights

Left Rock Lights (3)

Right Rock Lights (3)

Idiot lights in the dash include

Malfunction Indicator

Charge Indicator