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| | | Forums66 Topics128,014 Posts1,055,327 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 | 1950 Chev 1 ton, dash brace is broken where it attaches to the firewall. I'm going to try to reweld the brace but I am wondering if someone could provide me with the angle of piece that broke off. From the steering wheel attachment point at the bottom inside of the dash the brace angles up to the firewall at the point where it angles up to the firewall is where the bracket has broke off. Build sheet from FAM, section 1 sheet 3.02 shows the bracket but no dimensions. Using a protractor and trying to hold together I get around 70 degrees, could someone if they have out provide this angle please. Thanks for your time. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | I'll be out in the shop later and will see if I can get it with a magnetic indicator. Just an added thought. Is there a difference between your 1T dash and my 1/2T that you know of?
Last edited by DrewP; 03/16/2015 4:58 PM.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | From horizontal and assuming my truck sits on its tires reasonably level, the pitch is 15 degrees up from the dash to the firewall. If I can upload a pic later I will. Can't seem to accomplish that at the moment. Here is the pic. [IMG] http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1061/3611363/24628191/410979787.jpg[/IMG] Keep in mind that the inclination dial is hanging off the bottom of the brace. You can interpret that as 15 or 75 degrees depending on where you measure it from, dash or firewall.
Last edited by DrewP; 03/16/2015 9:51 PM.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | I recently repaired my bracket too. I also added extra support near the firewall so it never breaks again, hopefully. I cut a triangle shape out of 16 ga. steel and I used this to gusset the bracket at this angled break point. After I was finished it seemed incredibly stronger. The flex was eliminated. I'll get a picture soon for you.
Last edited by Fox; 03/18/2015 5:41 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | Here's my photo. http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1It remains to be seen if anything under the dash will interfere with this extra bracing. Hopefully not with fingers crossed! To help ease installation I removed the two permanent bolts that protrude off this bracket and go through the firewall. I had to repair the dash cracks near the gauges too so I removed this whole bracket and repaired it on my bench. The two firewall bolts are countersunk "carriage" bolts with a square shoulder and hold themselves in place. This made it so much easier to slide into place.
Last edited by Fox; 03/18/2015 5:45 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 | Thanks for the pictures of the angle picture Drew and gusset picture Fox. I'll try to get a picture of the break as I have it out on the bench waiting to weld up also, the gusset looks really good. My dash around the gauges also has some stress cracks that need to be repaired. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | Usually it just tears out the holes around the clamp, that is not a typical repair at least here in my neck of the woods. These trucks often lived a tough life. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 | Looking at those stress cracks on the dash, that truck looks like it has spent most of its life riding up and down concrete steps! I'd say that simply restoring the brace to original shape and specifications would be sufficient, unless you plan to continue driving it up and down staircases.  Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | Looking at those stress cracks on the dash, that truck looks like it has spent most of its life riding up and down concrete steps! I'd say that simply restoring the brace to original shape and specifications would be sufficient, unless you plan to continue driving it up and down staircases.  Carl Do you think that crack was 'maybe' caused by some dog tired field hand hoisting themselves in and out by hanging on the steering wheel? I can see it now. Hung over. Thankful Detroit's Gods thought of granny gear, he steps out, and back in, all the time running along side, pitching bales of hay for... how long does Hay Season last? This only comes to mind cause I remember my dad giving me the riot act when I did it as a kid... "Don't swing from the wheel!" So, depending on egress style and 'Gravity attraction' of the new driver (no offense intended. just covering needless bases) Some extra support might not hurt... I'm outta here
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 293 | I have no doubt the steering wheel has been used for grab handle, as my own (tool shed roof) it won't get in the way. Yes absolutely will be adding additional bracing to the support as well as repairing the holes, all though I don't think it will be seeing the Saskatchewan Chinese pavement anytime soon or the other roads it traveled on in the past.
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