I just bought a 1984 Monte Carlo LS and it had no dash whatsoever when I got it. The wiring is all still there and that is great but I am needing some ideas on how to set up my dash. There is not instrument cluster or anything but I do have that housing. Not looking to put it back to original as I will be dragracing it at the local dragstrip. But I am looking for DIY alternatives to making a dash to hold the gauges I intend to put in. I have a 3 gauge SunPro cluster and a fuel gauge already and will also put in a tach and a speedometer (required as I will kept it street legal for about a year).
Any ideas would be most appreciated. I posted a pic of my current dash, or lack of one I should say, in my garage area.
Trying to keep things as inexpensive as possible so I am willing to consider anything that works.

 

Some 1 in square metal tubing to make a frame and sheet aluminum

 

+1 on buds idea, seems like the cheapest/ easiest way

 

Thank you. Kind of what I was thinking. Working on some drawings of what I would like it to look like.

 

Can't wait to see them!

 

JEGS Performance Products 70800 JEGS Aluminum Dash and Dash End Panels - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS

 

That' a nice simple looking dash. That is a real possibility. Going to the junk yard this weekend to see what I can find.

 

My drawings are not coming along so well but I am going to keep working on them.

 

Good news!!! When I got to the junk yard this morning at 8am it was 2 below zero and who knows what the windchill was...LOL I was pointed in the direction of the GM section and told "good luck". I went clear to the back and did not see one Monte. I was dressed in about 4 layers of clothes and was still freezing and was getting worried I would not find what I went for. I just happened to glance to my right and there sat a Monte!! Almost everything was gone from this car but when I looked inside, there was my dash with all the instrument cluster still in it!!!!! This one had warning lights and not gauges for a couple things but I have the Sun Pro cluster I will use. But I can now return the fuel gauge and apply that $$ toward the tach I want. Two cracks in the dash but they can be covered. I also got a Monte crest that was laying on the floorboard (Now who would go off and leave that?) An hour and $57 dollars later, I was on my way home with a dash (a blue one at that) and a huge smile on my face. Thanks for all of your suggestions for my dash. I will post pics when I get it finished.

 

Woo Hoo Got the dash put in today!! Looks pretty good and eventually I get a cover to hide the couple of cracks. The gauge cluster was intact on this dash and I hooked it up.
I put the speedo cable onto the speedo and when I took it for a ride, it did not move...Not sure if there is a certain way it has to go in or not. The fuel gauge states I have very close to a full tank. Not so sure I believe it. Guess I will find out when I run out of gas...hahaha
Here is a before pic and a picture of the dash I just put in. I did not have the column bolted back up when when I snapped the pic...oops