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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Neat, 'factory' looking dash ideas
I'm a big fan (as I'm sure many others are) of the Defenders produced by Cool & Vintage and Brooklyn Coachworks, particularly their simplistic, factory approach to the dash. A couple of examples below.



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


My 1986 127 essentially has what is shown above, albeit a bit scabbier, lacking AC and in need of some love. I'd like to to tidy it up (maybe even trim in leather) and maintain the simplicity. However, I'm also going to be adding in the following;

- Electric windows = 2/4 Switches
- Heated seats = 2 Switches
- Heated windscreen = 1 switch
- Rev gauge - occupies 'clock' space on dash but where does the clock go??
- Warning lights and or temp gauges for coolant/oil - maybe a dual one to fit the standard hole if such thing is available?
- Radio
- Speakers

The obvious answer I suppose is to fit a TD5 dash or a MUD/Raptor centre console, they're fine but not to my taste. The next best I suppose is to conceal it all in the cubby box which I'm certainly not against but I'd prefer it not to look like the starship enterprise....

So, what have you done? any ideas? I'm certainly not opposed to making holes in the dash providing it yields a factory looking solution. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #895036 31st Mar 2021 7:13am
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jimbo55



Member Since: 15 Jul 2020
Location: Midlands
Posts: 399

United Kingdom 
If you want them in the dash I think the td5 dash is the only way to neatly achieve that in a factory manner, the raptor dashes are fine for an off-roader with loads of switches but don’t look nice. The mud dashes are just a cheap and nasty looking version of the td5 dash

Mud do a neat switch panel which replaces the cup holders in the cubby box and allows for 6 switches and a cigarette lighter/usb charger. This doesn’t really help with the radio however

There are under cubby lock boxes which could be used to incorporate the switches.

Have you considered roof mounting the switches and radio? Whilst it doesn’t look perfect lc if you are trimming your dash nicely you could potentially do something similar with the roof console?

Post #895068 31st Mar 2021 10:21am
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jimbo55



Member Since: 15 Jul 2020
Location: Midlands
Posts: 399

United Kingdom 
Those examples of dashes do look very nice though and would love one in my 90
Post #895069 31st Mar 2021 10:22am
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Smyles_



Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 517

Denmark 
If you wanted a classic looking radio but with the most up-to-date internals and features the Bremen SQR 46 DAB BT is your best and only option. Lots of classic Porsche owners use them. Stuart


Cummins 130 Build Thread
Instagram

58 130 Double Cab HCPU - Cairns Blue
04 110 Double Cab - Black (gone)
07 Audi RS4 Avant - Silver
Post #895082 31st Mar 2021 11:56am
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Smyles_



Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 517

Denmark 
Another idea that's come to mind is to rid of the head unit entirely and just install a Bluetooth speaker like seen here:


Click image to enlarge

or



You can get a kit for the latter here (although I've just translated it to find they don't ship and only fit locally Confused ) Stuart


Cummins 130 Build Thread
Instagram

58 130 Double Cab HCPU - Cairns Blue
04 110 Double Cab - Black (gone)
07 Audi RS4 Avant - Silver
Post #895084 31st Mar 2021 12:02pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Some great ideas there guys. At 6"5 I'm not sure I could fit around the roof panel sadly.

As for the Marshall speaker, I really like the concept but wonder if it might grow to be annoying, especially for rear passengers? The other option I'm pondering is mounting the radio head unit in the cubby box and positioning the speakers strategically, avoiding the lower dash if possible. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #895091 31st Mar 2021 12:32pm
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2227

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
Shroppy,

For info I am 6'6" and have the mud roof console in my DCPU and it causes no head room issues for me.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
Post #895094 31st Mar 2021 12:53pm
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kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
I love the idea of this, however for the farm truck the cost is a bit much.

https://defenderwood.com/2019/05/30/neque-...unt-vitae/

I've always hated expanses of black leather in cars, something in a nice brown or green would be so much nicer.
Post #895095 31st Mar 2021 1:00pm
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kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
Also if your after a bluetooth no stereo look this could be an option.

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/hidden-...amplifier/
Post #895097 31st Mar 2021 1:09pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
I bought some vinyl off ebay and recovered my dash. Wasnt that difficult and was cheap as chips. I bet you could get a professional upholstere to do it too.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge
Post #895098 31st Mar 2021 1:13pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
less proud of my trimming on this, and ill probably rip it off and try again/do something different; but all my switches and radio are self contained in the cubby which means i can easily remove it etc. The radio and CB sits behind the cubby which is fine by me for a bit of background music (spotify) as i wont be fiddling with it.


Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge
Post #895100 31st Mar 2021 1:19pm
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adafish



Member Since: 30 Mar 2009
Location: atherstone
Posts: 1381

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 110 300 Tdi DCPU Stornoway Grey

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Just in process of doing a makeover in my 90.. Going down the Rat look ...


Click image to enlarge
 Putting Dreams on Drives at JLR Solihull..
Post #895414 1st Apr 2021 5:48pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10381

United Kingdom 
Love that Ada Cool
Post #895415 1st Apr 2021 5:53pm
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adafish



Member Since: 30 Mar 2009
Location: atherstone
Posts: 1381

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 110 300 Tdi DCPU Stornoway Grey
Cheers Ste....doing more on week off, next week Putting Dreams on Drives at JLR Solihull..
Post #895416 1st Apr 2021 5:54pm
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jimbo55



Member Since: 15 Jul 2020
Location: Midlands
Posts: 399

United Kingdom 
That looks great Ada, nice to see something so different
Post #895449 1st Apr 2021 7:54pm
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