DYI - Dashman DASHBOX Install (1 Viewer)

[markh11]

This Dashbox has gotten me interested, as my dash pad is beyond shot... I did a quick google on this, and found another great article (circa 2005) about this unit.

FJ40 Dashbox - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com

Now to be fair, mmw68's pictures are a lot better and much more convincing. What is clear in this other article is that the plastic windshield knobs still work with this (as shown in their pictures).

Now I am trying to find out the cost of this marvelous device...

 

[bsevans]

My Dash Box is mounted using the same 5 panel nuts as utilized by the original dash. It does not rattle at all. It has been in my vehicle for over 7 years and the only time I removed it was to install the bullet dash light and the XM Radio antenna early this year. The windshield locking bolts clear with no issues.

See photos

 

[nspctr1]

SO, how much are they?

 

[copasspupil]

< 300.00

 

[nicholastheczar]

I've missed this thread somehow and this is my first time to see these ... I like. My pad is shot too and would like to get a price on these. Looks pretty clean and I like the LED light.

 

[rubirnr]

<snip>
The only thing Iam lacking is a matching lock for my Tuffy console. I've ordered a set of keys and locks - and once I get that figured out, I'll share that info here.
<snip>

Mark dropped off a dashbox at my residence this morning as a result of me reading this thread. Super-nice guy! I also ordered two Tuffy key-alike camlocks to match the one for my center console. (Going to use one of these to replace the glove box lock the PO installed).

Did you get this to work? I haven't looked at anything yet, but I am hoping that it might be as simple as swapping the hook cam on the Tuffy lock with the came on the lock that came with the dashbox.

 

[DomSmith]

I just ordered one of these from Mark as well and although I haven't put it in yet I was able to add a Tuffy lock that matches my center console and 2 storage/speaker boxes. I have the regular key type camlock rather than the round type that the old Tuffys had. The newer style key cylinders are much longer and therefore the latch at the end is not lined up properly and has to be modified (bent) but the cylinder does mount in the hole exactly like the Tuffy. I'll try to post up pics soon.

BTW... Great write up. I'll be using this as a guide.

 

[DomSmith]

Thanks to mmw68 for the great write-up which was very thorough and easy to follow and thanks to bsevans for the info and link to the LED light. My dash box is installed and the LED bullet light works great. I was also able to add the same keyed Tuffy lock to match my other components so that I only have one key. Here's what I did...


First I asked Mark to leave the key uninstalled when he shipped the dash box so that I could mess with the Tuffy lock without having to remove the original lock. As it turns out I first installed the lock he supplied to get an idea of how it latched compared to the Tuffy...

As you can see above the latch is near the top of the lid so that it can latch to the main section of the box. If you compare Mark's lock to the Tuffy lock you can see that the Tuffy cylinder is much longer...

This required the latch on the Tuffy to be bent significantly to reach up to the top of the dash box. First I used a vise to bend the latch at about the same place as the original lock...

Next I measured the length from where the cylinder seated against the top of the lid to where it latched to the main box. Then I marked it on the Tuffy latch and tried to make a bend. The Tuffy latch is very thick compared to the original and not a solid piece like the small short latch Mark supplies. The biggest problem was that the next bend needed to be made just before the notched section seen here.

I found it very difficult to bend this section without the thinner area above the place I wanted it to bend, to bend. I had to do this 3 times... bending, straightening and bending... Once that was done the latch was too long to close so the hacksaw came out to cut off the excess length. It wasn't ideal that the catch would be the skinny section of the latch but I figured it would be OK since the Tuffy piece is quite a bit thicker. This proved to be an issue as the multiple bends caused the latch to break off short of where I was cutting because of fatigue to the metal...

I considered making an entirely new piece to act as the latch but the hole in the Tuffy latch that bolts to the cylinder is like a plus sign (+) and would be very difficult to cut out. Well as it turned out the broken latch actually works quite well to lock the lid. I don't like how it looks underneath but I am satisfied that it will keep anyone out aside from the crook that would break any type of latch.

I am going to see if Tuffy will send me 2 more of the latches themselves just so I can have another try at making one that works AND looks good.



As for the LED dash light I drilled a small hole in the back of the box and ran a red hot wire from the LED to the dash bulb wire behind the gauge cluster and grounded the black wire to one of the mounting studs for the dash box. I've never had a dash light but I'm stoked on this one. Here's a shot of the dash light...

Thanks again to mmw68 and bsevans.



EDIT: After thinking about it I think my next try for the latch would be to make an angled bend near the bottom of the cylinder up to the bottom of the main box and cut it to length. That way you don't require the difficult 90 degree bends and the latch would be perpendicular to the lid (instead of horizontal) and that much harder to pry up... Like this:

 

[Devilmans Hand]

sweet, thanks for that little addition. I'm planning on ordering mine very soon and adding a few tuffy locks as well. i was also thinking about adding two more locks at each end of the box as well to make prying up the box top more of a PITA

 

[Enigma]

That's pretty cool, never heard of those before. Needs some cup holders tho

 

[73fj40lc]

I love these dashboxes and the mods that have been done to them. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is that they don't run the full length of the OEM pad. I know that you wont pick up much space but I don't like the unfinished look of the windshield knobs. I know that it was common on the older 40's to have the bolts exposed. I don't see that it would be hard at all for me to install the windshield knobs through the box and at the same time give the box more support. I know that Mark would have to do some mods to extend his setup if he was willing. I really was wondering if there is others like me that would like a box that was OEM length. I don't know if it would be worth Marks time to offer a longer box, just throwing out the idea. The longer box would look alot more OEM on the 70's and newer 40's for the LC purists out there. Either way it looks to be a great quality product.

 

[bsevans]

I love these dashboxes and the mods that have been done to them. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is that they don't run the full length of the OEM pad. I know that you wont pick up much space but I don't like the unfinished look of the windshield knobs. I know that it was common on the older 40's to have the bolts exposed. I don't see that it would be hard at all for me to install the windshield knobs through the box and at the same time give the box more support. I know that Mark would have to do some mods to extend his setup if he was willing. I really was wondering if there is others like me that would like a box that was OEM length. I don't know if it would be worth Marks time to offer a longer box, just throwing out the idea. The longer box would look alot more OEM on the 70's and newer 40's for the LC purists out there. Either way it looks to be a great quality product.

I personally do not see the windshield knobs being exposed as an unfinished look. To me it enhances the look of functionality. I think extending the box to cover the windshield knobs will look like the setup was kluged together. If you look at the photos you will see that the angled face of the box is further away from the dash than the welded bracket the knob rest against. This might require a longer threaded rod so that the knob screw can have enough length. This would require you to make custom knobs. I’ve done this and you can find the details in my ROTW. Another issue is whether or not the angle of the box is the same angle of the welded bracket. This could cause the knob to contact the box at an angle. Another issue is the bracket that mounts to the windshield frame. Do you have a section of the box cut out for clearance of this bracket and the dash welded bracket? Strength wise I find that much material removed from each end of the box problematic. You would also need another sleeve like the factory sleeve between the windshield bracket and the welded bracket. This sleeve would be between the welded bracket and the box so you did not distort the face of the box when the knob is tighten down.

 

[DomSmith]

I too struggled with the knobs not being covered. I held out awhile until I saw one in person and now have one installed and don't mind the look at all. It would be very complicated to have it wider (IMO) and it looks fine for me. I also have a full cage which covers a bit of it as well. Of all the mods I've been doing to my 40 this one gets the most thumbs up.

I'm considering making a small cup holder bracket that mounts with a tab that attaches at the screw knob and sits just above it, but really don't have the time right now.

 

[LZFJ40]

Another Dash Box

First post here, mainly putting in a plug for Mark. I called him after reading this thread. Really a nice guy. I had to remind him before we hung up about payment. He was more concerened with shipping out the box. I said "Mark how shall I pay you?" He replied "Oh just send out a check whenever you get time, I'll send the box today" You just don't deal with people like that any more.
A great guy and a great product. Thanks Mark and it was a pleasure.

Leonard

 

[Fast Eddy]

I love these dashboxes and the mods that have been done to them. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is that they don't run the full length of the OEM pad. I know that you wont pick up much space but I don't like the unfinished look of the windshield knobs.

I did a photoshop version of a wider one some time ago. I don't mind it as is, but I think it would look better if it was full-width.

I'm going to put one in my current rig.

 

[Midwestcruiser]

this is a small fix to cover up the ugly knobs
purchased from SOR

 

[BELMONT148]

Nice pic, I was just wondering today what these covers actually looked like.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Hmmmm...now who makes billet knobs?

I've mocked this dash up in my build, but havent done any work to hide the knob bracket but will post a pic when its complete. Great write up btw, i wish i had the patience to document like that.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Hey Midwestcruiser;
Where in the SOR catalog did you find those covers? Im haveing trouble in my search.
Thanks,
DAVE

 

[Midwestcruiser]

Dave,
I was not able to find the parts by name but after finding the receipt, i tracked it down with the part #
there are new and used versions..I purchased the used ones and were in great shape
120-08B
or
120-08B-U
I also had the ends of the dash pad as "caps"