dash

Dash Issues

Some things have perplexed me about my dash. Here are some photos. Can you explain?

Seems likely it had a radio at one time. That part is easy. Much more difficult is what resided in the long horizontal hole below the radio. It seems properly placed for heater controls, and that's the only thing I've thought of. However, I have no idea what was really here...

Wider view of the same dash. Note heater below. I'm pretty sure this isn't the original heater, though it works great, and appears to be consistent with Advance Design trucks. [Update June 24, 2002] That yellow wire, and most the tape you see on the steering column have bee removed. I rewire all the lights from the dash back, and the turn-signal lights on the front. I was pulled over for not having a tail light the other night. Since I've fixed the thing several times already, I decided it was time to replace the problems wires...

Dash board. The light on the left, below the speedometer and the oil pressure gauges, is a high-beam indicator. [Update June 24, 2002] I was informed today by Bill Hanlon, one of the guys on the 'oldtrucks list, that it is a single light serving as a turn signal indicator. There was neither socket nor bulb when I pulled the dash apart to update some wiring, so it does nothing right now. I'm toying with the idea of building a LED based multi-function indicator, that would combine showing which direction the signals are flashing with things like high beem indicator and something that shows the backup lights are turned on.

I've noticed that a lot of miles go by before the fuel gauge (far right) shows any change. I suspect its a 6-volt gauge being run at 12-volt. That or it was made by General Motors.

Last updated: December 31, 2006