Dash Panel

 

Overview / Seating / Manual Conversion / Headliner & Misc.

The dash panel will remain stock in appearance, as we want to keep the classic car character.  No Auto Meter monster tach mounted on top of the dash or anything like that :).  The dash pad will be a stock black unit, and will be redyed to give a new appearance. 

Behind the dash pad will reside a custom gauge cluster that we will be redesigning.  It will somehow incorporate a '03/'04 Mach 1 electronics setup which will allow the digital speedo, tach, and other gauge input signals to be displayed on the dash (no more inaccurate 60's gauges).   This will also allow a digital odometer to be used too.  The speedometer cable will be traded in favor of digital inputs from the T56.  How we are actually going to do this is still TBD.  The appearance of the cluster will resemble the stock Torino unit as close as we can make it, and also will have custom TwinTorino logos.  Once it is in place, it will appear close to stock on a quick glance, until you really look close at it and realize there is something different about them.

Here is a preview of what the cluster will look similar to.  This was done using Adobe Illustrator and measuring an actual gauge cluster.  Note the digital odometer, 8k tach, and functional gauges instead of idiot lights.  Also note the new lights (these will actually be symbols) that are there for the vehicle functions.


The HVAC system is still yet undetermined.  Do we run a modern A/C setup, or do we leave it out to save complication and weight (this gets our vote thus far).  The factory A/C dash chrome and ventilation ducts will be retained.

 

A custom stereo system will be hidden in the vehicle as well.  Not sure where this will be going, but we will figure that out once we get there. 

 

The stock ignition location and all of the buttons and switches will be retained.

Steering wheel is still up in the air for these cars - whether to go old or new is still being debated.  How does one incorporate a new wheel without it looking tacky or out of place?


Georgia Torino

Texas Torino

 

Coming Soon

 

 

6/29/09 - We started to lay out all of the wiring in the car as that stage is quickly appreaching. There is a lot more room to put everything in here compared to the original Mustang that it came off of. The big challenge here is going to be making room for everything once the HVAC is installed and in position. The computer processor, fuse panels, and lots of other items that wer never on the original Torino need to find home too. The Mach 1 cluster and all the wiring connectors will stay until the car is started for the first time.. and then everything will go on a diet. Al the wiring and connectors that are not needed will be cut out. The parts that remain as original Torino parts (very few pieces like the steering column and various lights) will be spliced in also.

 

4/29/09 - We have been trying to figure out what the heck to do with my ignition switch on the dash.. as the electrical portion of the projects is quickly approaching. Since the entire car revolves around a 2004 Mustang's electrical system, we needed to use something that would allow me to use a Mustang key in the dash. Only problem is new Mustangs have their keys on the column, which means the mechanisms are totally different as is the electrical. After looking all over the place.. We found several newer Lincolns have a key in the dash. I found this 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII lately which fits quite nicely. Once the original ring is in place, should look close to stock. It fits and looks quite nicely. The goal here is to make it look close to stock. These pics show how the part fits without any mods whatsoever. Just need to modify the part slightly so the stock ring will fit.

 


03/03/08 - Bring on the parts.

After searching online forums for a while now, we finally scored a set of wiring harness including the dash harness ($200 for all you see here!! - Thanks John) and a guage cluster (Thanks Geoff).  The circuit board on the gauge cluster will eventually become the brains for the Torino's cluster.

 

 

 

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