The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Task Force Dash

Okay guys,

I've found information on Art Deco and Advanced Design trucks, but not for the Task Force body style.

I have a '57 GMC that I'd like to replace the dash in. I have a '59 Chev cab that is more than willing to donate the dash to go into the '57 (GM cab is in much better shape, but all instrumentation has been removed. I had to evict the bird and nest from the middle of the instrument panel!).

Is the dash in this truck spot welded, screwed or rivetted in place? Can I easily remove the GM dash and swap in the Chev one?

I'm not afraid of radical surgery, but would like to do this the easiest way!

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

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spot welded .... never easy .... involves the windshield pinch weld and braces welded underneath that are critical for mounting/positioning the steering column - need to drill out every weld on both trucks and hope the GMC cab shape and Chev dash shape are a close match

but it can be done!!

Bill

Red58,

Would you have any idea how many spot welds were talking about?

Should I look for 20-25 welds, or 50-60?

Thanks again,

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Photo:

I've pulled a couple of these butchered 55 - 59 dashes out over the years. Put a GMC in my 58 Chevy when I was stationed in DC years ago. All spot welds and not a whole lot of them if I remember right. They are pretty easy to see after you pull the trim. I just looked for the little circles and moved the light back and forth until they showed up. I used a couple of old screwdrivers to wedge the dash as I drilled the welds out. They flexing of the metal helped the spot welds show up too. The first one I used a regular bit and it wandered too much, so I ordered a special spot weld bit from Eastwood I think. The second one I used a piloted bit (Dewalt, home depot) had better luck and it left more metal to weld to if the welds line up between trucks. To reinstall I clamped it all up with vise grips and then plug welded with my mig welder. If my mind still serves- the trim under the windshield covers those welds and the windlace covers the ones on the sides. Good luck with your project! Jim

there's about 20 on the one pictured - random spacing - no robot welders in them days! in fact I've thought more than once when looking at welds, they let apprentices practice in hidden areas

Bill

Thanks Guys!

That's the kind of information that I was looking for.

And Stovebolters come to the rescue once again!

Another reason that we all love this page so much!

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